haber process Flashcards
temperature
450 ºC
pressure
200 atm
catalyst
Iron
where does hydrogen and nitrogen obtain
Nitrogen - from the air
Hydrogen- from natural gas
what is the main equation for making ammonia
N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) ⇌ 2NH3 (g)
nitrogen + hydrogen -> ammonia
what happen to the unreacted H2 and N2
recycled back into the system and start over again
why temperature
lower temperature
-> forward reaction as it is exothermic (releases heat)
-> a higher yield of products will be made
- However at a lower temperature the rate of reaction is very slow
> > > 450 ºC is a compromise temperature between having a lower yield of products but being made more quickly
why catalyst
It allows for an acceptable yield to be achieved at a lower temperature by lowering the activation energy required
-> without affecting the the position of equilibrium
why pressure
- higher pressure - higher yield of product
- but higher pressure = need expensive equipment + Dangerous
> > > 200 atm = balance between lower yield of products + safely and economically