GRADE X

(SECOND TERM 2022)

CHEMISTRY (5070)
7. THE CHEMISTRY AND USES OF ACIDS, BASES AND
SALTS

• 7.1 – Acids and bases

• 7.2 - Preparation of salts
• 7.3- Ammonia and its uses
• 7.4- Sulfuric acid
7.3- AMMONIA AND ITS USES
WHAT IS AMMONIA?
• The Haber Process combines nitrogen from the air with hydrogen derived
mainly from natural gas (methane) into ammonia.
• The reaction is reversible and the production of ammonia is exothermic.
REACTION CONDITIONS :

• 1. Catalyst: iron
(The catalyst is actually slightly more complicated than pure iron)
• 2. pressure: 200-250 atm
• 3. Temperature: 400 - 450 oC
• The Haber process provides a industrial use and knowledge of the factors that affect chemical
equilibrium to find the best conditions needed to produce a good yield of products at a reasonable rate.

• In the Haber process, “the atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is converted to ammonia (NH3) by

reacting it with hydrogen (H2)”. Here a metal catalyst is used and high temperatures and
pressures are maintained.
• The raw materials for the process are
• Air, which supplies the nitrogen.
• Natural gas and water which supply the hydrogen and the energy needed to heat the reactants.
• Iron which is the catalyst and does not get used up.
As per the diagram, in the Haber process,
• We take nitrogen gas from the air and combine it with hydrogen
gas obtained from natural gas in the ratio 1:3 by volume.
• The gases are passed through four beds of catalyst, with cooling takes place in
each pass. This is done to maintain equilibrium constant.
• While different levels of conversion occur in each pass where unreacted gases
are recycled.
• Normally an iron catalyst(finely divided) is used in the process, and the
whole procedure is conducted by maintaining a temperature of around 400 –
450oC and a pressure of 150 – 200 atm(20000 kPa)
• In the final stage of the process, the ammonia gas is cooled down to form a
liquid solution which is then collected and stored in storage containers.
• The unchanged nitrogen and hydrogen gases are re-circulated over the
catalyst, and an eventual yield of 98% can be achieved.
Reaction Rate and Equilibrium
• The Haber process for the synthesis of ammonia is based on the reaction of nitrogen and
hydrogen. The chemical reaction is given below. Notably, in this process, the reaction is an 
exothermic reaction one where there is a release of energy.
N2(g) + 3H2(g) → 2NH3(g)
• According to Le Chatteleir principle, the production of ammonia is favored by high pressure
and low temperature. In the commercial production of ammonia, NH3 is continuously
removed as it is produced.
• Removing the products causes more nitrogen and hydrogen to combine according to Le
Chatelier’s principle.
• The reaction is a reversible reaction. However, the reaction is affected by changes in
temperature, pressure and catalyst used mainly in the composition of the equilibrium
mixture, the rate of the reaction and the economics of the whole process
 Reaction conditions
Pressure:
Yield of ammonia improves with increase in pressure.
However, it is dangerous to maintain very high pressure. Also, it is costly to
purchase expensive equipment necessary for maintaining high pressure. (200 – 250
atm is optimal pressure)
Temperature:
In this reversible reaction, the forward reaction is an exothermic reaction,
while the backward reaction is an endothermic reaction.
• Increase in temperature favors the backward reaction, resulting in less yield of
ammonia. Decrease in temperature actually favors the production of ammonia.
However, the lower the temperature, the slower the reaction. 450 0C is the
optimal temperature for maximum yield at a reasonable rate.
Uses of Ammonia

Ammonia which is produced is one product that is essential in many areas. Some uses
of ammonia include;
• Agricultural uses: Production of ammonia is important as it is one of the main
components in making fertilizers. (NPK)
• Explosives: Ammonia produced is used in making nitro-based explosives including
TNT, RDX, etc.
• Pharma : It is used in manufacturing certain types of drugs such as sulfonamide,
anti malarials, and vitamins such as thiamine and nicotinamide.
• Refrigeration: It is also used in large-scale refrigeration plants, air-conditioning
units in Buildings, etc.
• Consumer Products: Ammonia is used in various cleaning products and acts as an
effective cleaning agent.
 I WISH YOU
ALL THE BEST