Role of naphtha in a fertilizer complex: in the front-end of an ammonia plant, naphtha is primarily used as a source of which component via steam reforming?

Introduction / Context:
Ammonia synthesis requires a syngas mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen. While modern plants commonly use natural gas (methane), some plants use naphtha as the hydrocarbon feed for reforming. Understanding what naphtha contributes clarifies the front-end design of fertilizer complexes.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Naphtha is a light petroleum fraction with C5–C10 hydrocarbons.
• Front-end includes primary steam reformer and secondary reformer/air addition.
• Downstream shift, CO2 removal, methanation, and synthesis loop are standard.

Concept / Approach:
Steam reforming of hydrocarbons generates hydrogen and carbon oxides. Nitrogen is supplied separately by air addition (secondary reformer or ASU), not from naphtha. Oxygen for partial oxidation comes from air; naphtha itself is not an oxygen source. Therefore, naphtha’s primary role is to provide hydrogen (and carbon for CO/CO2) via reforming reactions; part of it may also be burned as fuel, but the key purpose is as H2 feedstock for syngas makeup.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Process flow diagrams for naphtha-based ammonia plants show hydrocarbon reforming as the hydrogen source, with nitrogen introduced by controlled air injection.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Fuel only: reformer fuel is a separate duty; feedstock role is primary here.
• N2 and O2 are introduced via air/ASU, not from naphtha.
• Argon is a minor inert from air, not produced from naphtha.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing the combustion fuel duty with the chemical feedstock role; both can be hydrocarbons but serve different functions.

Final Answer:
Hydrogen (H2) feedstock.