Modern Chemical Manufactures
MANUFACTUREO
F AMMONIA
By Haber’s Process
Unik Paudel
Background and Introduction
• In 19th century, rapid population growth resulted
in lack of food supply.
• Farmers started growing more crops using
nitrogenous fertilizers.
• A better supply of Nitrogen was required for
fertilizers.
Raw Materials Required • Thus, Fritz Haber did research and came up with
an economical method to produce Ammonia —
• Nitrogen Gas (Obtained from fractional called Haber’s Process.
distillation of liquid air)
• Hydrogen Gas (Obtained by heating
hydrocarbon with steam)
• Promoted iron
PRINCIPLE OF THE PROCESS
• Under ordinary conditions, Nitrogen and Hydrogen do not combine with each other.
• So, when pure and dry N2 and H2 (1: 3) are heated at about 450 ⁰C - 500 ⁰C under 200 -
900 atm pressure in the presence of promoted iron containing Al 2O3, K2O and ZrO,
ammonia gas is produced.
• Iron is used as catalyst due to its abundance, cost, good catalytic activity and more
compatibility with promoters.
• Similarly, high temperature increases the kinetic energy of reactants so that they combine
faster, and high pressure pushes reaction from high volume to low volume.
N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) 2NH3 (g) + 22kcal
CONDITIONS FOR HIGH YIELD OF AMMONIA
DETAILED PROCESS OF MANUFACTURE
Uncondensed gases (N2 + H2)
Refrigerator
Recycling
Catalyst N2 + H2
H2
(3 vols) Chamber
Catalyst R
Recirculation Pump
Compressed
N2 and H2
N2 Purifying Compressor NH3 + N2 + H2
(1 vol) Unit Reservoir for
Liquid Ammonia
FLOWSHEET DIAGRAM OF HABER’S PROCESS
Unreacted N2 and H2
Cracking of Recirculation
Hydrogen
hydrocarbon
(3 Vol.)
or water
Catalytic converter
Compressor Purifier (450 ⁰C to 500 ⁰C)
Condenser
(Soda-lime) Promoted iron
200 – 900 atm
N2 + 3H2 ↔ 2NH3
Fractional
Nitrogen
distillation of
(1 Vol.) Liquid Ammonia
air Significance of Flowsheet Diagram
- It is a simplified representation of detailed process.
- It shows stream’s conc., flow rates and compositions.
APPLICATIONS OF AMMONIA
Ammonia in Industries
1 Ammonia is used in manufacture of synthetic fibers, production of pharmaceuticals and synthesis of
Ammonium nitrate.
2 Ammonia in Agriculture
Ammonia is used in fertilizers to sustain food production. It is also used to make liquid fertilizer solutions.
3 Ammonia in Metal Treating
Dissociated ammonia is used in carbo-nitriding, furnace brazing, sintering and other operations.
4 Ammonia is Household Products
Ammonia is used to remove stains or clean mirrors, sinks, windows, (etc.).
Ammonia in Petroleum and Mining
5
In petroleum industry, Ammonia is used to counterbalance the acid constituents of oil.
In mining industry, Ammonia is used in extraction of several metals like Cu, Ni, (etc.).
HARMFUL EFFECTS OF AMMONIA
1 Although ammonia is beneficial as fertilizer, excess ammonia runoff can lead to water pollution.
2 As ammonia is a corrosive substance, high concentration of it can cause severe burn.
3 Exposure to ammonia can cause convulsive coughing, damage to liver, kidneys and CNS.
Ammonia is highly reactive and can be flammable in certain conditions. So, proper handling is
4
essential.
5 High concentration of ammonia leads to nitrification, contributing to green house effect.
CHALLENGES TO ESTABLISH AMMONIA PLANT IN NEPAL
1 2 3 4
Issues of ammonia Concerns and issues Lack of modern Issue of adequate
export in the about raw materials, their technology and infrastructure like roads,
market supply of the production and storage skilled work force in housing and corporate
country the country production facilities
5 6
Frequent power crisis, Emission of green house
lack of electricity and gases by ammonia plants
fuel sources like coal, contributing to global
petroleum, (etc.) warming
STRATEGIES TO COPE THE CHALLENGES
1 2
Government should invest in We should use modern Ammonia
infrastructure development like roads, plant which is more efficient and
housing, and expansion of corporate emits less quantities of greenhouse
production facilities. gases like CO2.
3 4
Creative strategies should be used in Fossil fuels should be replaced with
order to cut of CO2 emission for affordable and cost effective
capturing or storing CO2. renewable sources like solar power
and hydroelectricity.
SOME COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2
1
Why is it sometimes called the Haber-Bosch Process?
Why is Haber’s process considered the best way of
Ans – It is because while Fritz Haber developed the
manufacturing ammonia in large scale?
fundamental chemistry behind production of ammonia,
Ans – It is because the method is highly economical, raw
Carl Bosch was responsible for all instrumentation and
materials are obtained easily and consumes less energy.
selection of suitable catalyst for the process.
4 3
Why are Al2O3, K2O and ZrO used as promoters? Why is Iron used as catalyst in Haber’s process?
Ans – It is because they promote the catalytic activity of Ans – Iron is used as catalyst because of its abundance,
Iron, and prevent iron from degrading and deactivating cost, tolerance to high temperature and pressure, and
under high pressure and temperature during the process. good catalytic activity.
5 6
Why is the ratio of N2 and H2 maintained 1:3 by volume? Why is 200-900atm the optimum pressure for the process?
Ans – It is because the stoichiometric coefficients of H2 and Ans – It is because the pressure below 200 atm does not lead
N2 in the reaction is 1 and 3. So, gases are introduced in to efficient yield of Ammonia. Again, pressure above 900 atm
the ratio of 1:3 due to which maximum Ammonia can be requires stronger equipment and more energy increasing the
produced and least mass of unreacted reactant is left. cost. Therefore, the range of pressure is limited from 200
atm to 900 atm.
Why is 450 ⁰C - 500 ⁰C the optimum temperature for the process?
Ans – It is because, with temperature below 450 ⁰C, H2 and N2 react slowly which is impracticable
for industrial preparation. With high temperature above 500 ⁰C, equilibrium would favor backward
as suggested by Le Chatelier’s principle. Thus, 450 ⁰C - 500 ⁰C is considered the optimum
temperature in Haber’s process.
THANK YOU
