Haber Process

The Haber Process makes Ammonia due to increasing demand for food in the 19th Century with a growing population. 

Nitrogen (from air) + Hydrogen = Ammonia

Conditions:

• 200 atmospheric pressure
• 450 Celsuis temp

• Yield = 15% but leftover N2 + H2 are recyled
• At 200 pressure yield is acceptable as no special plant is needed
• Temperature is 450 Celsuis as reversible reactions are endo and exothermic so reaction occurs at acceptable rates

The Haber Process is a reversible reaction which occurs in both directions, the reaction reaches a dynamic equilibruim

Haber Process = Exothermic as heat is given out 

• Exothermic = Low temperature
• Endothermic = High temperature

Catalyst: 

Powdered Iron Catalyst - Increases rate of reaction without increasing temperature because that would lower the yield. 

Spare heat energy is recycled to maintain temperature of plant

Uses:

• Fertiliser
• Explosives
• Nylon and Nitric Acid

Atom Economy = 100% but Yield is 15% 

Ammonia is an Alkali and can be neutralised by acids to make ammonia salts which an be used as fertilisers

e.g. Ammonium Nitrate 

NH3 +HNO3 ---- NH4NO3

All ammonuim compounds contain NH4