[1] The process involved reacting low-quality coal with superheated steam, which produced the Mond gas.
The gas was then passed through dilute sulfuric acid spray, which ultimately removed the ammonia, forming ammonium sulfate.
Mond plants which recovered ammonia needed to be large in order to be profitable, using at least 182 tons of coal per week.
[5] The Mond gas could be produced very cheaply since it required only a low-quality coal, offering large savings for many processes.
[citation needed] Natural gases were better for the environment because they burned more cleanly than other fuels such as coal and oil and could also be transported more safely and efficiently over sea.