CHAPTER 1o
AMMONIA
PREPARED BY – S. M. NAYEEM
REVERSIBLE REACTION
• A reversible reaction is a chemical reaction
where the products can react to re-form the
original reactants.
• These reactions are represented by a double
arrow ⇌ in a chemical equation and can occur
in both a forward and a reverse direction
simultaneously.
• Conditions like temperature and pressure can
change the direction of the reaction.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS
• Two-way process: The reaction can proceed in
both forward direction and reverse direction.
• Equation symbol: A double-headed arrow (⇌) is
used to show that the reaction is reversible.
• Energy changes: If one direction of the reaction
is endothermic (absorbs heat) then the opposite
direction is exothermic (releases heat).
• Condition dependent: The direction of the
reaction can be changed by altering the reaction
conditions such as temperature, pressure and
concentration.
EQUILIBRIUM &
DYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM
• Equilibrium is a state in a chemical process
where the reaction has stopped and there is no
changes observed.
• Dynamic equilibrium is a state in a reversible
reaction where the forward and backward
reactions are occurring simultaneously at the
same rate in a closed system.
• The concentration of the reactants and the
products are constant at the point of dynamic
equilibrium.
LE CHATELIAR’S PRINCIPLE
• When a system at equilibrium is subjected to a
change in concentration, pressure, or temperature,
the system will shift in a way that counteracts the
change.
• Adding a reactant will cause the equilibrium to
shift to consume that reactant.
• Increasing the temperature of an exothermic
reaction will cause the equilibrium to shift to
favour the reverse (endothermic) reaction to
absorb the heat.
LE CHATELIAR’S PRINCIPLE
• Increasing the pressure in reaction involving
gaseous substances will cause the equilibrium to
shift towards the direction where there is less
number of molecules.
• Catalysts do not affect the position of the
equilibrium but increase the rate at which
equilibrium is reached.
MANUFACTURING AMMONIA
• Ammonia is manufactured industrially by the
Haber process.
• The raw materials are hydrogen and nitrogen.
• Hydrogen is obtained from cracking of crude oil
or petroleum.
• Nitrogen is obtained from fractional distillation
of liquid air.
• The two gases nitrogen and hydrogen take part
in a reversible reaction producing ammonia.
• Nitrogen : Hydrogen = 1 : 3 by volume.
HABER PROCESS – SCHEMATIC
REACTION CONDITIONS
• Nitrogen gas is unreactive at room temperature.
• The forward reaction does not take place under
normal conditions (room temperature and
pressure).
• A high pressure and a relatively high
temperature is applied for the forward reaction
to take place.
• In addition, iron plates are used as catalyst to
speed up the reaction and ensure maximum
yield in industrial scale.
EFFECT OF PRESSURE ON YIELD
• A higher pressure leads to a higher yield of
ammonia and leads to a faster reaction.
• However, maintaining a high pressure is costly
as it requires expensive equipments and large
amount of electricity.
• Hence a compromise pressure of 200 atm is
maintained in the process.
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON YIELD
• A lower temperature favours the forward
reaction producing more ammonia.
• At lower temperature the decomposition of
ammonia is reduced.
• However, at lower temperature, the speed of
reaction would be very slow.
• Hence a compromise temperature of 450 ˚C is
maintained in the process.
INSIDE OF HABER PROCESS PLANT
USES OF AMMONIA
MANUFACTURING CONCENTRATED
SULPHURIC ACID
• Sulphuric acid is manufactured industrially by
the Contact process.
• The raw materials are sulphur, oxygen & water.
• Oxygen is obtained from air. .
• Water is obtained from natural reservoirs.
STAGES IN PRODUCTION PROCESS
• Production of sulphur dioxide: Sulfur is burned in
excess air to produce sulfur dioxide gas.
• Oxidation to sulphur trioxide: The sulphur
dioxide gas is then reacted with more oxygen from
the air over a catalyst (vanadium(V) oxide) at a
temperature of approximately 450 ˚C to form sulfur
trioxide.
• Production of sulphuric acid: Sulfur trioxide is
absorbed into a concentrated sulfuric acid solution
to form oleum (H2S2O7) which is then diluted with
water to yield the final concentrated sulfuric acid
product.
ALL REACTIONS
REACTION CONDITIONS
• V2O5 is used as a catalyst to speed up the
chemical reaction.
• The forward reaction is exothermic. A lower
temperature will increase the yield of sulphur
trioxide. An optimum temperature of 450 ˚C is
maintained.
• An increase in pressure will favour the yield of
sulphur trioxide. An optimum pressure of 2 atm
is maintained.
• Sulphur trioxide is dissolved in oleum instead of
water to avoid excessive fuming.
IMPORTANT ISSUES
• Production plant should be built close to the
sulphur rich mining sites for easy transportation.
• Both sulphur dioxide and sulphur trioxide are
atmospheric pollutants causing acid rain. The
components must therefore be confined in
enclosed chambers.
• The second stage involves reversible reaction.
The yield can therefore be maximized by
optimizing the reaction conditions.
• Sulphuric acid highly corrosive and extreme
safety measures must be taken while using and
transporting the chemical substance.
USES OF SULPHURIC ACID