Haber Process

Learning Outcomes
WHAT
Discuss the importance of ammonia.
Describe the production of ammonia in the
Haber Process.
WHY
To be able to create an cartoon displaying the
production process.
HOW
Discussion and questions.
 Time scale review sheet
Now that you know the learning outcomes
use what you already know about
nitrogen, fertilisers, and ammonia to
complete the ‘ What I Know at the
Start section’
 The need for Ammonia as the starting
point for fertiliser production
During the last century, the populations of
Europe and America rose very rapidly. More
food and more crops were needed to feed more
and more people. So farmers began to use
nitrogen compounds as fertilisers.

The main source of nitrogen compounds for

fertilisers was sodium nitrate from Chile. By
1900 supplies of this were running out. Another
supply of nitrogen had to be found or many
people would starve. The obvious source of
nitrogen was the air (about 78% of the air is
nitrogen).
The need for Ammonia as the starting
point for fertiliser production
Unfortunately, nitrogen is not very reactive.
This made it difficult to convert it into
ammonium salts and nitrates for use as
fertilisers. A German chemist called Fritz
Haber solved the problem.

In 1904, Haber began studying the reaction

between nitrogen and hydrogen. By 1908 he
had found the conditions needed to make
ammonia (NH3). Eventually, the Haber
process became the most important method
of manufacturing ammonia.
Discuss with partner and answer
in books
1. Why did farmers start to use nitrogen compounds as
fertilisers?

2. What problem did farmers face in 1900?

3. How long did it take Fritz Haber to work out the

conditions needed to make nitrogen and hydrogen react
together?

4. What does the Haber process make?

5. Haber was an apprentice plumber before studying to

become a chemist. How was Haber’s background useful
to him as a chemist?
 Time scale review sheet
Now that you have completed the first
part of the lesson, complete the half
way section for the time scale circle.
 Haber Process
Ammonia is an important compound in the
manufacture of fertilizer and other chemicals such
as cleaning fluids and floor waxes.

It is made industrially by reacting nitrogen with

hydrogen in the Haber process. It is a reversible
reaction, so it never goes to completion.
It is a exothermic reaction!

nitrogen + hydrogen ammonia

N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) 2NH3 (g)

The Haber process
 Time scale review sheet
Now that you have completed the second
part of the lesson, complete the last
section for the time scale circle.
 Learning Outcomes
WHAT
Describe the conditions needed for the reaction
of nitrogen and hydrogen to make ammonia.
WHY
To gain an understanding of the considerations
made to gain a high % yield.
HOW
Deducing the conditions required for the
compromise.
 Connect
You are the manager of Scienco, who are
looking into making ammonia in their
industrial plant.

What considerations do you need to make

before going ahead with your plans?
What are all your costs going to be?
ammonia yield (%) Ammonia Yield

pressure (atm)
Temperature, pressure and yield
Title: C4d – assessment task – The Haber process

Objectives…….
I will know where my strengths and weaknesses are in the
What? Haber process topic
I will know how to improve in the Haber process topic

Task 1 – Assessment task

How? Task 2 – Peer assessment (mark each others!)
Task 3- Complete thermometer sheet for homework

To make sure you are ready to move onto the harder work
Why?
When I have been able to answer the questions
When I can explain to someone else what I have done in
When? today’s lesson and why it’s important
Task

You are a production manager at a factory that

carries out the Haber process to produce ammonia.
Your yield is too low – what do you do?
Explain:
- the raw materials for the Haber process and how this process
makes ammonia.
- the standard conditions for the Haber process.
- how you would increase the yield of ammonia.
- the financial implications of carrying out the Haber process.
-
Grade F
State that ammonia is made from nitrogen and hydrogen.
State that the nitrogen needed for the manufacture of
ammonia is obtained from air.
State that the hydrogen needed for the Haber process
often comes from the cracking of oil fractions or from
natural gas.
Grade C
Describe how ammonia is made in the Haber process:
• nitrogen + hydrogen ammonia; iron catalyst; high pressure;
temperature in the region of 450oC; unreacted nitrogen and
hydrogen are recycled.
Describe how different factors affect the cost of making a
new substance:
Grade A
Explain the use of the conditions used in the Haber process:
State the balanced equation for the manufacture of ammonia in
the Haber process.
Explain that economic considerations determine the conditions
used in the manufacture of chemicals:
Complete self assessment review
sheet and stick into book.