MANUFACTURE OF

NITRIC ACID
BY
OSTWALD’S PROCESS
Bishesh Marasini
INDEX
 Introduction
 Principle
 Process
 Uses
 Economic Importance
INTRODUCTION
 nitric acid, (HNO3), colorless, fuming, and highly corrosive liquid (freezing point −42 °C &
boiling point 83 °C ) that is an important industrial chemical for the manufacture of fertilizers
and explosives.
 It is toxic and can cause severe burns.
 Nitric acid is of great commercial importance as it is needed in large amounts for the
manufacture of explosives, fertilizers, dyes, drugs, etc. Before world war I, the only available
method for the manufacture of nitric acid was the distilling of nitre with concentrated
sulphuric acid. Now-a-days the following two processes are employed for the manufacture of
nitric acid :
 (i)Ostwald’s process
 (ii)Birkeland and Eyde process or Arc process.
 OSTWALD’S PROCESS’S
PRINCIPAL
Step 1:
Step 2:

Step 3:
 PROCESS
Water +Oxygen Converter: Ammonia and Air in the ratio
of 1:8 with Platium Gauze as Catalyst at
850 degree Celsius. Ammonia is oxidized
to nitric acid.
Cooling Pipe: Gases are cooled to 50
degree to 100 degree Celsius by mean of
heat exchanger.
Oxidation Chamber: Nitric oxide is
oxidized to nitrogen dioxide.
Absorption Tower: Nitrogen Dioxide
dissolves in water in presence of air to
give dilute nitric acid.60% nitric acid is
produced.
Concentration of acid:60% acid is
concentrated to 68 % acid by distillation.
68 % to 98% by dehydration with conc
H2SO4.
USES
 In the manufacture of explosives like T.N.T. (trinitrotoluene), picric acid, nitroglycerine, dynamite, etc.
 In the manufacture of fertilizers like ammonium nitrate, basic calcium nitrate, etc.
 In the manufacture of artificial silk, dyes, drugs, perfumes, etc.
 In the purification of silver and gold.
 As a laboratory reagent.
 As a solvent for metals, for etching designs on wares of brass, bronze, etc.
 In the preparation of aqua-regia.
 In the manufacture of sulphuric acid.
 For nitration of organic compounds.
 For the manufacture of nitrates such as silver nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, etc.
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
 Nitric acid is one of the most important inorganic chemicals. Quantity wise it is one of the top
ten industrial chemicals.
 HOPE YOUR MIND DIDN
BECOME
ACIDIC LIKE NITRIC
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME