Industry process

Question 1

What is the Harber Process

Answer 1

3H2 + N2 < –> 2NH3

Question 2

What is the availability of the reagents of the Harber Process

Answer 2

Hydrogen (from the reaction of methane with steam) - with the methane obtained from natural gas

Nitrogen from the air

Question 3

Reaction conditions of the Harber Process (3)

Answer 3

• reaction is exothermic therefore compromise temperature
• high pressure (however would need strong metal container)
• catalyst (Fe3O4)

Question 4

Yield and Purity of the Harber Process

Answer 4

• 20% yield (produced quickly and then removed)
• unused reactants are recycled then the effective yield is considered to be 98%

Question 5

Industrial use of the Harber process

Answer 5

• Fertilisers
• nitric acid
• explosives
• drugs

Question 6

Environmental impacts of the harber process (2)

Answer 6

• leaking of ammonia from reaction vessel is dangerous due to toxic gas
• large energy footprint due to large amounts of energy required to heat the reaction vessel and maintain the high pressure required in the operation

Question 7

Social impacts of the harber process (3)

Answer 7

• Responsible for ensuring food security as the fertilisers it produced are essential for large scale agriculture
• Leaking of ammonia harmful to local individuals and employeees
• Employment (Oric Kooragang island)

Question 8

Economic impacts of the harber process

Answer 8

• Huge market - large amount of revenue produced
• Costs associated with maintaining reaction vessel, energy usage and transport

Question 9

What is the solvay Process

Answer 9

producing sodium carbonate
2NaCl(aq)+ CaCO3(aq) –> Na2CO3(s) + CaCl2(aq)

Question 10

Availability of regents of the Solvay Process

Answer 10

• Brine(NaCl) from the ocean
• Limestone (CaCO3) from mineral deposit

Question 11

What are the reaction conditions of the Solvay Process

Answer 11

• exothermic reaction hence compromise temperature required

Question 12

Yield and Purity of the Solvay Process

Answer 12

• 99.6% pure
• less than 50% yield due to bi product produced

Question 13

Industrial use of the Solvay Process

Answer 13

Sodium carbonate use
- mainly glass
- to soften hard water
- bleach paper
- alternative base in saponification

Question 14

What are the environmental impacts of the Solvay Process

Answer 14

• Disposal of CaCl2 in waterways - due to already high concentration of it in the ocean, however this increases salinity
• Water is used as a coolant and the direct release back into the waterways = thermal pollutant decreasing aquatic life

Question 15

Social impacts of the Solvay Process

Answer 15

• Provides job opportunities

Question 16

Economic impacts of the Solvay Process

Answer 16

• Site plant to reduce transport costs
• Ensure markets for the product
• Availability of sufficient energy at competitive prices