How is ammonia manufactured industrially?
Ammonia is manufactured industrially by Haber’s process. Nitrogen from gas is combined with hydrogen derived from natural gas (methane) in the ratio 1:3 giving rise to ammonia. The reaction is reversible and exothermic.
N2(g)+ 3H2(g)
2NH3(g)
Fig: Haber’s Process
The optimum conditions for the manufacturing of ammonia are pressure 200×105 Pa, the temperature of 4700 K and iron oxide catalyst with a small amount of Al2O3 and K2O.
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