HABER PROCESS Flashcards
What is the purpose of the Haber process?
Manufacturing ammonia.
What is the chemical formula of ammonia?
NH3
What do we use ammonia for?
Fertilizers
What are the raw materials used in the Haber process?
Nitrogen
Hydrogen
What is the chemical equation of the reaction that takes places for the Haber process?
N2(g) + 3H2(g) —> 2NH3(g)
What are the conditions for the Haber process?
450˚
200 atmospheres
What is the catalyst used in the Haber process?
An iron catalyst
Is the forward reaction exothermic or endothermic?
Exothermic
If the forward is exothermic will increasing the temperature increase or decrease the yield?
Decrease
Why is the Haber process done at such a high temperature if the forward reaction is exothermic and therefore yield will be decreased by high temperatures?
The temperature is a compromise between rate of reaction and yield.
Does the catalyst affect the amount of yield?
No. It simply speeds up the reaction.
Is the forward or the backward reaction favoured with a high pressure? Why?
The forward reaction because it yields less moles than the backward reaction. The reaction tries to compensate for the increased pressure by moving the point of equilibrium to the side with the least moles, in this case the forward reaction.
Other than changing the point of equilibrium, why is the Haber process done at such a high pressure?
Increased pressure also increases the rate of reaction. This is because more molecules in a given space will mean more collisions between molecules in a given time, hence increased rate of reaction.
Why is having such a high pressure a problem for a company undertaking the Haber process?
Because the pipes have to be very strong to withstand the huge pressures. This is very expensive to make.
Because producing such high pressures is in itself a very expensive thing to do.
How do separate the ammonia from the unused nitrogen and hydrogen?
The temperature is lowered in a separate chamber. The high pressure is maintained. The ammonia becomes a liquid because it has a higher boiling point than nitrogen and hydrogen.
