Production of Ammonia -The Haber Process

Table of Contents

Ammonia is manufactured by reacting nitrogen and hydrogen. One Ammonia is manufactured by reacting nitrogen and hydrogen. volume of nitrogen reacts with three volumes of ammonia.
The gas pressure is raised to 200 atm and the temperature to 500ºC. The mixture is passed over an iron catalyst and about 17% of it is converted to ammonia.

NB: The reaction between nitrogen and hydrogen is reversible and exothermic

The gas pressure is raised to 200 atm and the temperature to 500ºC. The mixture is passed over an iron catalyst and about 17% of it is converted to ammonia.

NB: The reaction between nitrogen and hydrogen is reversible and exothermic

Iron catalyst

Nitrogen + Hydrogen ⇔ Ammonia + Heat

500ºC, 200 Atm

(g)

As ammonia is produced, the pressure of the gases drops. If the gases are compressed (their pressure increased, more ammonia is produced.
Lower temperatures, are maintained to obtain a good yield. The temperatures of the reaction is kept as low as possible (about 450ºC)
The reaction is slowed when the temperature is lowered and for the reason, an iron catalyst is used to speed up the reaction of ammonia but it does not alter the total amount of ammonia produced

For producing fertilisers, nitric acid, nylon, dyes, cleaners, detergents and dry cells
Refrigerant
Household cleaners/cleaning agents

GAS		SOURCE		USES
Hydrogen	–	Electrolysis of water	–	Manufacture of ammonia and margarine
Oxygen	– –	Liquefaction of air Electrolysis of water	– –	Cutting and welding metals Steel manufacturer
			–	Medical use
Nitrogen	–	Liquefactions of air	–	manufacture of ammonia
			–	manufacture of nitric acid
			–	as a refrigerant
			–	for freezing vegetables
			–	in medicine
Ammonia	–	Haber process	–	Manufacture of fertilizers
			–	As refrigerant
Carbon Dioxide	– –	Liquefaction of air Fermentation processes	– –	In fizzy drinks As a dry ice refrigerant
			–	Fire extinguishers