Chapter 8

CHEMICALS IN INDUSTRY.

8.1 Properties of Alloys and Their Uses in Industry.

Alloys.
 is formed when a pure metal is added with a small amount of impurity.
 an alloy is a mixture of two or more metals (ex: bronze or brass) or a metal
with a small amount of non-metal (like steel).
 the process of mixing of foreign atoms into pure metals is called alloying.
 examples of goods made of alloy are kitchen utensils, coins, keys, etc.
 alloying can change the properties of metals, for example :
a) increasing the hardness of metals.
o aluminium and magnesium are soft and light.
o hence, these metals are not suitable for us as
construction materials.
o through the alloying process, aluminium is added with
magnesium in suitable composition to produce and alloy
that is hard and light.
b) preventing corrosion
o pure iron rusts and corrodes easily.
o stainless steel which is rust resistant can be obtained by
adding a small amount of chromium and nickel to iron.
c) improving the appearance of metals
o the surface of copper becomes dull easily.
o if copper is added with a small amount of zinc, brass,
which is and alloy with a shiny surface is produced.

Example Composition Properties Uses

of alloy
Steel Iron 99.5% Hard, strong Building houses, bridges,
Carbon 0.5% machines, vehicles, etc.
Pewter Tin 97% Shiny surface, Making of decorative goods
Antimony and corrosion resistant like photo frame.
copper 3%
Bronze Copper 88% Hard, does not rust Making of coins, knives,
Tin 12% etc.
Brass Copper 75% Strong, shiny Making of keys, musical
Zinc 25% surface, malleable instruments, etc.
Duralumin Aluminium 95% Light, strong, Making of vehicle bodies
Copper 3% corrosion resistant like buses, aeroplanes,
Magnesium 1% trains, etc.
Manganese 1%
 Relationship between the properties of alloys and the arrangement of their
particles.
 a pure metal is soft and not strong because the size of its atoms is the
same and they are arranged closely to from layers at metal atoms.
 consequently, the layers of atoms slide over one another easily when
force is applied.

applied force


pure metal atom
layers of atoms
which slide over
easily

arrangement of particles in pure metals

 when atoms of other metals with different sizes are added to atoms of
pure metals, this will disrupt the arrangement of the layers of atoms and
make it difficult for them to slide over one another.
 usually, a small amount of another metal is added to a pure metal to make
it harder and stronger.

atom of pure metal

atom of foreign metal

arrangement of particles in an alloy

Importance of alloy in industry.

Superconductor alloy
 is an electric conductor which allow electric current to flow through it a t
zero resistance when cooled at a very low temperature.
 saves electricity if compared to a conductor made of copper.
  has magnetic properties – this causes vast development in its usage
today.

Field Use
Transportation Use of magnet in magnetic-levitation (MAGLEV) train
increases its speed.
Telecommunication A superconductor alloy can detect rays at wavelengths that
and astronomy cannot be detected existing instruments.
Industry A superconductor alloy is used to generate power and
increase the stability of energy stored after it has been
generated. Electric wires made of superconductor alloy can
transmit electric current over long distances without losing
energy.
Medicine A superconductor electromagnet is put into a patient’s body
to enable doctors to examine some of the patient’s organs
visually using a computer.
Electronics The switch that controls the electric circuit in the computer
can operate at a fast rate without producing heat.
Weaponry defence Superconductor alloys are used to detect mines placed in
the sea.
uses of superconductor alloy in industry.

8.2 Uses and Production of Ammonia in Industry.

Ammonium molecule and its characteristics.

 ammonia molecule consists of one nitrogen atom and three hydrogen
atoms.
 ammonia is a gas that is alkaline, colourless, pungent and dissolves easily
in water.

H H
N

H
ammonia molecule

Uses of ammonia and its compounds in daily life.

 Making of ammonia fertilisers.
o Ammonia solution is alkaline. When it reacts with acid,
ammonia fertiliser is produced. For example,
(a) ammonia solution + sulphuric acid  ammonium
sulphate.
 (b) ammonia solution + nitric acid  ammonium nitrate

(c) ammonium solution + phosphoric acid  ammonium

phosphate
 Making of nitric acid.
o Ammonia is used to manufacture nitric acid.
o The nitric acid obtained is used to make fertilisers,
explosives, etc.
 Making of colourings.
o Ammonia is used to make colourings.
o Colourings are used in textile and paper industries.
 Making of cleaning agents.
o When ammonia solution reacts with plant oil, a cleaning
agent is produced.
o For example, detergent.
 Making explosives.
o Nitric acid is produced from ammonia.
o When nitric acid reacts with toluene, an explosive substance
is produced.
 As cooling agents.
o Ammonia is used to make cooling material used in
refrigerator and air-conditioning units.
 Preventing coagulation of latex.
o ammonia neutralises the acid produced by bacteria found in
latex to prevent the latex from coagulating.

Production of ammonia in industry.

 ammonia is produced on a large scale in the factory through the Haber
process using nitrogen and hydrogen.
 the equation is as follows:

Nitrogen + Hydrogen Ammonia

(volume ration of nitrogen
to hydrogen is 1 : 3)

conditions : temperature: 450oC-500oC

pressure: 200-500 atmosphere
catalyst: iron fillings
 Nitrogen and hydrogen are used in the ratio of 1 : 3
according to volume. The two gases are purified and dried.

The gas mixture is compressed under a pressure of 200-500

atmosphere and channelled through iron fillings which
functions as catalyst at a temperature of 400-500 oC.

The nitrogen reacts with hydrogen to produce ammonia gas.

The ammonia gas produced is cooled to form ammonia liquid

or dissolved in water to form ammonia solution.
flow chart showing the production of ammonia.

 Factors which affect the optimum production of ammonia are:

1. temperature
2. pressure
3. catalyst

 the reaction between nitrogen and hydrogen:

(a) the reaction between nitrogen and hydrogen is an exothermic
reaction.
(b) the decrease of temperature encourages the production of
ammonia.
(c) however, temperature that is too low will cause the rate of
reaction to fall.
(d) therefore, the optimum temperature is between 450 oC - 500oC.

 the production of ammonia increases at a higher pressure.

 however, if the pressure is too high a technical problem will occur such as
the stability of the equipments used. So, 200-500 atmospheric pressure is
used.
 so, 200 – 500 atmospheric pressure is used.
 iron filings are used as a catalyst to increase the rate of reaction.
 even then, the catalyst does not affect the percentage of ammonia
produced.

Production of ammonium salt fertilisers in industry.

 ammonia fertiliser is a nitrogen fertiliser that supplies nitrogen element to
animals and plants during the formation of protein.
  examples of ammonia fertiliser are ammonium sulphate, ammonium
nitrate, and ammonium phosphate.
 the following steps show how ammonia fertiliser is prepared:

(a) ammonia solution + acid  ammonium salt

(b) ammonium salt is evaporated to obtain saturated ammonium
salt solution
(c) the saturated ammonium salt solution is cooled and crystallised
to obtain ammonia fertiliser.

Neutralisation reaction Ammonium salt/

Alkali Acid fertiliser
Ammonia solution + Sulphuric acid Ammonium
sulphate
Ammonia solution + Nitric acid Ammonium
nitrate
Ammonia solution + Phosphoric acid Ammonium
phosphate
production of ammonia fertiliser

Manufacture of urea in industry.

 urea is a fertiliser that contains a higher percentage pf nitrogen
compared to ammonia fertiliser.
 urea can be prepared heating a mixture of liquid ammonia and
liquid carbon dioxide at a temperature of 200 oC and of 200
atmospheric pressure.
Ammonia + Carbon  Urea + Water
 both materials react at high temperature and pressure to form
ammonium carbamide salt.
 the salt is then decomposed at a lower pressure to produce
urea and water.

8.3 Effects of Industrial Waste Disposal on The Environment.

1. Environmental pollution is caused by irresponsible human activities.

2. Industrial waste disposal brings adverse effects to the environment and
consequently affect the survival of living things and the ecosystems.
3. Generally, environmental pollution damages the quality of air and water.
4. Methods of controlling industrial waste disposal need to be implanted to
prevent environmental pollution.
 Source of Main Pollutants Effects of Pollution Methods of Controlling
Pollution Pollution
Burning of Soot and dust - blurs the view - install and electrostatic
fossil fuels - damages the respiratory system depositor on factory chimneys
such as - closes the stomata of plants and to remove pollutants from
petroleum, disrupts photosynthesis smoke before releasing the
natural gas and smoke into the air.
coal Carbon dioxide - causes greenhouse effect which - planting many green plants to
increases global temperature remove carbon dioxide from the
air.
Carbon monoxide - reduces the ability of blood to - install equipment such as
carry oxygen in the body catalyst converters which
convert carbon monoxide into
carbon dioxide.
Sulphur dioxide Dissolve rainwater to form acid rain - dissolve acidic gases using an
and nitrogen which air cleaner system to prevent
dioxide - lowers the pH value of water and the gases from being released
soil into the air.
- damages the respiratory system
- causes lung diseases
Toxic Acid and alkali - changes the pH value of water - tighten the law to prohibit the
substance from and soil dumping of chemical wastes in
chemical Nitrate and - increases the contents of mineral territorial waters.
industry phosphate in river water, lake water or pond - toxic wastes to be stored in
compounds water which disrupts the balance of oxidation ponds for biological
aquatic ecosystems and chemical processes
Toxic metals - lead and mercury poison the brain
(such as lead, and nervous system
mercury, nickel, - nickel causes lung cancer
arsenic and - arsenic and cadmium poison the
cadmium) lungs and kidneys
Industries that Radioactive Cause - the authorities to impose strict
use radioactive wastes - cancer control to ensure that
materials - infertility radioactive wastes are disposed
- foetal deformity of safely and far away from
- death under unpleasant conditions residential areas
- keep radioactive wastes in
thick lead or concrete
containers and follow the
required disposal procedure.
Agricultural Oil palm wastes - burning of wastes pollutes the air. - tighten law to prohibit
industry (such as stalk, oil - oil thrown into water covers the indiscriminate disposal of
and skin of fruit) surface of water and block the chemical wastes to the
oxygen from dissolving in it environment
- organic wastes are decayed by - oil palm wastes are processed
bacteria and this reduces the to become food for livestock or
contents of oxygen in the water fuel
 Rubber wastes - causes water pollution - rubber wastes are reused to
(organic and - rotting wastes produced make shoes or slippers
chemical unpleasant smelling gas
substances) - chemical wastes make water
unsuitable for aquatic life.

8.4 The Need For Preservation and Conservation of The Environment From
Industrial Waste Pollution.

 pollutants from industrial wastes enter our body through:

o the air we breathe
o the water we drink
o the food we eat, whether it is vegetable or meat
 uncontrolled disposal of industrial wastes causes environmental pollution.

Human Health
- the polluted environment
dangers human health.
- for example, soot and dust
damage the respiratory system,
while radioactive rays cause
cancer.

Destruction of habitats of
living things and the
extinction of flora and fauna
species
- the destruction of habitats of
living things owing to pollution
Importance of Practising a Responsible Way of Disposing Industrial Wastes
Adverse effects of pollution causes the extinction of animal
1. Good quality environment refers to a safe,
and clean, harmonious and
resulting from industrial plant species.
balanced nature.
waste disposal - extinction of these species
2. Therefore, disposal of industrial wastescauses
should the
be managed in a controlled
future generation to
and responsible manner. It is importantgetto preserve and conserve the
to know certain plants or
environment from being polluted by industrial
animalswastes so that:
only through
a. human health is not threatened photographs.
b. flora and fauna are protected - destruction of plants in large
c. the continuity of future generations canreduces
be ensured
scale the contents of
3. Importance of preserving and conserving the
Loss environment:
of economic source
oxygen in the air.
a. maintaining the beauty of nature- acid rain makes the soil
b. preserving biodiversity unsuitable for cultivation.
c. a clean environment enables recreational activities
- water pollution to be the
causes conducted
d. preventing the extinction of any species
death ofof plant of
aquatic plant this
plants. or animal
will
on Earth reduce the income of certain
people.