6.3- EQUILIBRIUM REACTIONS IN INDUSTRY Flashcards
What is around 80% of ammonia used to make?
fertilisers like ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate + urea
What is around 20% of ammonia used to make?
synthetic fibres (including nylon), dyes, explosives + plastics like polyurethane
Equation for making ammonia (reversible)?
N2(g) + 3H2(g) = 2NH3(g)
What does the percentage of ammonia obtained at equilibrium depend on?
temperature + pressure
What conditions would give close to 100% conversion to ammonia in N2(g) + 3H2(g) = 2NH3(g) reaction?
low temp + high pressure
By what process is almost all ammonia made by?
Haber process
What are the raw materials for the Haber process?
air (provides nitrogen), water + natural gas (methane, CH4)
Equation for how the hydrogen is provided in the Haber process?
CH4(g) + H20(g) -> CO2(g) + 3H2(g)
In what ratio is the nitrogen and hydrogen fed into the converter for the Haber process?
1:3
What catalyst does the nitrogen + hydrogen pass over in the Haber process?
iron catalyst
What pressure do most plants run at for the Haber process?
20 000kPa (around 200 atmospheres)
What temperature do most plants run at for the Haber process?
670K
Why is a lower pressure + higher temp used in the Haber process?
to give maximum conversion
Why does the nitrogen + hydrogen flow continuously over the catalyst in the Haber process?
so gases do not spend long enough in contact with catalyst to reach equilibrium- about 15% conversion to ammonia
What happens to the ammonia once it has cooled in the Haber process?
cooled so it becomes liquid + piped off
What happens to any nitrogen + hydrogen that’s not converted into ammonia in the Haber process?
fed back into reactor
What size is the iron catalyst in the Haber process?
pea-sized lumps
Why is the iron catalyst in the Haber process pea-sized lumps?
to increase SA
How long does the iron catalyst in the Haber process last?
about 5 yrs
What happens beyond 5 yrs to the iron catalyst in the Haber process?
poisoned by impurities in gas stream + has to be replaces
How is ammonia used to make ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate?
ammonia reacted with acid to make salt