Haber and Contact Process Revision Notes Chemistry
Haber and Contact Process Revision Notes Chemistry
Haber and Contact Process Revision Notes Chemistry
Formation of Hydrogen:
Oxides of Nitrogen
Nitrogen unreactive? Group 5 hence shares 3 covalent bonds, triple covalent bonds take
substantial amount of energy to break down
Ideal conditions for best yield of ammonia vs what actually happens and why
1. Low temperature – system opposes the change by increasing the temperature, forward reaction is
favored hence more product formed.
In reality – high temp? – increase the rate of reaction
2. High pressure (400 atm) – favors side with lesser moles of gas – more ammonia produced
Irl – pressure is 200-300 atm – why? A lot of energy required otherwise, Costly, better equipment
needed
3. Iron added as a catalyst – increases the rate of reaction, no effect on the yield or position of
equilibrium.
Properties of ammonia
Production of Ammonia
After Hydrogen from cracking of methane/steam reformation) and nitrogen from liquid air by fractional
distillation are both obtained:
1. Nitrogen and Hydrogen are mixed in proportion 1:3.
2. Compressor the mixture of gases is compressed to a pressure of 200 – 300 atm
3. Convertor the gases are passed over finely grounded iron which acts as a catalyst to speed up the
reaction the temperature here is around 450 C.
4. Mixture of ammonia and leftover unreacted H2 and N2 gases leaves the converter (reversible
reaction- reactants and products have ability to coexist). Only 15 % of ammonia is produced.
5. Condenser – The mixture is cooled and liquid ammonia is formed.
6. Unreacted H2 and N2 are pumped back – recycled – for next reaction.
Nitrogenous Fertilizers
CONTACT PROCESS