Topic 11 - 11.3 - Ostwald Process

Question 1

What is the purpose of the Ostwald process?

Answer 1

• To make nitric acid
• Ammonia (haber process) is used
• Platinum needs to be heated up to act as the catalyst, but since the reaction between ammonia and oxygen is exothermic, it is heated already.

Question 2

Describe Step 1 of the Ostwald process

Answer 2

• Ammonia and air is heated
• They are passed through layers of platinum gauze (the catalyst) to produce nitrogen monoxide and water vapour

ammonia(g) + oxygen(g) → nitrogen monoxide(g) + water(g)

Question 3

Describe Step 2 of the Ostwald process

Answer 3

• Nitrogen Monoxide reacts with more oxygen to make Nitrogen dioxide
  nitrogen monoxide(g) + oxygen(g) → nitrogen dioxide(g)

Question 4

Describe Step 3 of the Ostwald process

Answer 4

• Nitrogen Dixoide is cooled, then reacted with more oxygen to make nitric acid
  nitrogen dioxide(g) + oxygen(g) + water(l)→nitric acid(aq)