Nitric acid

Raw material:

Ammonia, oxygen, water are the raw materials of nitric acid manufacturing. Ammonia can be obtained by haber process. Ammonia gas is
oxidized to nitrogen dioxide by oxygen.

Ostwald Process

The Ostwald process is one of the most common methods or chemical processes used for the manufacturing of nitric acid. The process was
developed in the year 1902 by a German chemist named Wilhelm Ostwald. He was later awarded the Nobel Prize in 1909 for his research.

The Ostwald process has gained popularity over the years as it is the easiest way to produce nitric acid, which is also widely used in many areas,
such as in the production of fertilisers as well as inorganic and organic nitrates or nitro compounds.

Usually, in the Ostwald process, ammonia is transformed into nitric acid. Vanadium pentaoxide (V2O5) is often used as a catalyst during the
processing of nitric acid in this method. There are several steps involved. We shall discuss them in detail below.

The Principle and Mechanism behind Ostwald’s Process

Before we get into the different steps, let us quickly understand the principle or mechanism behind the Ostwald process. The conversion of
ammonia to nitric acid simply occurs as a result of oxidation. This particular oxidation reaction gives us the corresponding nitric oxide. Further,
when nitric oxide is oxidised, nitrous gases are formed, and these gases can trap water molecules. As a result, we obtain nitric acid. Catalytic
oxidation involving O2 is used where ammonia forms the product.

While carrying out the process, there are specific reaction chambers where ammonia is fed from one direction and air through a different path.
There are possibilities of side reactions occurring as well. If we go for subsequent ammonia oxidation, we will get some other reactions. It
usually happens in the case of dinitrogen. The removal of dinitrogen creates ammonia. If we try to oxidise the ammonia, it will also give back the
dinitrogen. There can be other oxidised forms as well.In all these, optimising the reaction condition becomes very important; otherwise, many
gases can be formed together with the desired NO. It is, therefore, necessary to avoid side reactions.Moving on, the next stage involves the
oxidation of NO2, which can also dimerise to give N2O4. The reaction in this stage is only favoured at low temperatures.

In addition, the Ostwald process is also closely related to Born Haber’s cycle or process.

Ostwald Process for Making Nitric Acid

Step 1 – Catalytic Oxidation Reaction

Primary Oxidation (Formation of Nitric Acid)

The main goal of this process is the conversion of ammonia into nitric acid. The process begins in a catalyst chamber, where one ammonia part
and eight oxygen parts are introduced by volume. The chamber temperature is around 600oC. This chamber uses a catalyst-like platinum gauze,
or copper and nickel can also be used.

The oxidation of ammonia takes place, and it is converted into nitric oxide (NO). The process is reversible and exothermic. The change in
temperature encourages a forward reaction.

4NH3 + 5O2 ↔ 4NO + 6H2O | H -24.8 Kcal/mol

Secondary Oxidation (Formation of Nitrogen Dioxide)

The nitric oxide gas produced by the oxidation of ammonia is in a very hot state. It is passed through a heat exchanger in which the temperature
of nitric oxide is lowered to 150oC. After cooling, nitric oxide is transferred to another oxidising tower, where nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is oxidised
at about 50oC.

2NO + O2 ↔2 NO2

Step 2 – Absorption of No2 (Formation of HNO3)

In a special absorption tower containing water, the nitrogen dioxide from the secondary oxidation chamber is introduced. NO2 gas is passed
through a tower where it absorbs the water. Nitric acid is obtained through this process.

3NO2 + H2O -> 2HNO3 + NO

The nitric acid thus obtained is very dilute. NO is recycled to increase the concentration level, which is generally kept around 68 per cent. The
acid-in-water solution can also be dehydrated by distillation with sulfuric acid. Here, the pressure is kept between 4–10 standard atmospheres,
and the temperature is set at 870–1,073 K.

This reaction is exothermic as there is a release of energy. However, since water and oxygen are constantly added to this cycle as reactants, the
increasing concentration will create optimal equilibrium conditions.

Sometimes, when producing nitric acid by the Ostwald process can be dangerous due to unfavourable conditions that may arise. More
significantly, the concentration and corrosive behaviour of nitric acid can be a safety hazard

Industrial Uses of Nitric Acid

Nitric acid is the building block chemical for the production of many other chemical compounds. It is used in manufacturing several types of
polymers like polyamides and polyurethane. Nitric acid is also commonly used as rocket propellants in the aerospace industry. It is also used for
manufacturing nitrogen-based compounds like nylon as well as most of the explosives like trinitrotoluene (T.N.T.), nitroglycerin, amongst others.

Other uses include, production of nitrate salts, making dyes, coal tar products and drugs. It is also used mostly for the purification of precious
metals like platinum, gold, and silver.