AMMONIA SYNTHESIS

(Haber process)
Raw Material
Methane
Water
Air
Iron/ Iron oxide (catalyst)
 Enough steam is used to react with about 45% of the methane (CH4), the
rest of the methane is reacted with air:

Ni catalyst
CH4(g) + H2O(g) ----------> CO(g) + 3H2(g)
700oC

2CH4(g) + [ O2(g) + 4N2(g)] Ni catalyst

--------->
2CO(g) + 4H2(g) + 4N2(g)
(air)

All the carbon monoxide (CO) in the mixture is oxidized to CO 2 using

steam and an iron oxide catalyst:

iron oxide catalyst

CO(g) + H2O(g) H2(g) + CO2(g)
------------------>
 The carbon dioxide (CO2) is removed using a suitable base so that
only the nitrogen gas (N2) and hydrogen gas (H2) remain and are
used in the production of ammonia (NH3).

 In ammonia production the hydrogen and nitrogen are mixed

together in a ratio of 3:1 by volume and compressed to around
200 to 300 times atmospheric pressure.

 N2 + 3H2 Catalyst (Fe) 2NH3

Ammonia is manufactured using the Haber
process, which employs an iron/iron oxide
catalyst. The reaction is exothermic:

N2(g) + 3H2(g)-----2NH3(g); ΔH = -91kJ mol-1

By using Le Chatelier’s principle you can

predict the way in which temperature and
pressure will alter the equilibrium yield of
ammonia.
Flow Chart of the Haber Process
 Agricultural industries are the major users of ammonia, representing
nearly 80% of all ammonia produced in the globe.
Ammonia is a very valuable source of nitrogen that is essential for
plant growth. Depending on the particular crop being grown, up to 200
pounds of ammonia per acre may be applied for each growing season.

Ammonia is used in the production of liquid fertilizer solutions which

consist of ammonia, ammonium nitrate, urea and aqua ammonia. It is
also used by the fertilizer industry to produce ammonium and nitrate
salts.

Ammonia is a widely used refrigerant in

industrial refrigeration systems found in the food, beverage, petro-
chemical and cold storage industries.

The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into soluble nitrogen compounds

that can be used by plants is called nitrogen fixation.

Uses of Ammonia
Ammonia is also used in the production
of:-
◦ nitric oxide
[4NH3(g) + 5O2(g)  4NO(g) + 6 H2O(g)]
◦ synthetic fibres [eg. nylon]
◦ explosives [NH4NO3]
◦ pharmaceuticals [sulfonamides] etc
ammonium nitrate fertilizer …
NH3(aq) + HNO3(aq)  NH4NO3(aq)
ammonium phosphate fertilizer
3NH3(aq) + H3PO4(aq)  (NH4)3PO4(aq)
ammonium sulfate fertilizer …
2NH3(aq) + H2SO4(aq)  (NH4)2SO4(aq)
urea fertilizer …
2NH3(aq) + CO2(g)  (NH2)2CO(aq) +
H2O(l)

Ammonia Fertilizers
In gaseous form it is an extreme irritant to
the eyes, respiratory system and other
parts of the body.
Areas need to be well ventilated and safety
clothing must be worn.
Because ammonia is a gas at room
temperature, in the event of a spill, it can
usually be allowed to disperse after
ensuring safety of people who are
downwind.

Health and Safety