Question
Describe the principle of large scale preparation of ammonia.
Answer
- The Haber-Bosch process is the most common method for the large-scale preparation of ammonia.
- This process involves reacting nitrogen gas and hydrogen gas at high temperatures (around 450°C) and pressures (around 200-300 atmospheres) in the presence of an iron-based catalyst.
- Nitrogen is obtained from the air through a process called fractional distillation, while hydrogen is obtained from natural gas or other sources through a process called steam reforming.
- The reactants are compressed and fed into a reactor where they are heated and passed over the catalyst.
- The reaction produces ammonia gas, which is cooled and liquefied for storage and transport.