Principle:
When one volume of Nitrogen and three volume of hydrogen are heated at about 400-500oC under 200-900 atm in the presence of iron as catalyst iron (Fe) and Molybdenum (Mo) as promoter then ammonia (NH3) is formed with the release of 22.4 Kilo Calorie per mole
N2 + H2 → NH3
Since this reaction is reversible , exothermic and proceeds with decrease in volume, Le-Chatelier's Principle can be applied to obtain ammonia in more amount.
- Temperature: If the temperature of this reaction is increased then more and more amount of heat energy is released because of its exothermic nature and that heat energy decomposes ammonia to give Nitrogen and Hydrogen back. Hence, low temperature about (400-500 oC) is required for this reaction to get more and more amount of ammonia.
- Pressure: This reaction proceeds with decrease in volume i.e the volume of reactant is more than that of product. When Pressure is increased in this reaction then this reaction proceeds towards forward direction by giving more and more amount of ammonia. The optimum pressure required for this reaction is 200-900 atm.
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- Concentration : If the concentration of Nitrogen or hydrogen or both of them is increased then the effective collision occurs between them to give more and more amount of ammonia. The amount of product always depend upon the concentration of the reactants.
- Purity of Gases: Nitrogen and Hydrogen required for the manufacture of Ammonia should be free from all kinds of impurities otherwise the catalyst gets deactivated i.e the working efficiency of the catalyst gets decreased.
PROCESS
- Production of N2 and H2: Hydrogen gas require for this process is obtained from electrolysis of water and nitrogen required for this process is obtained by fractional distillation of liquid air.
- Compressor: A mixture of 1 volume of nitrogen and 3 volume of Hydrogen is subjected to a pressure of 200-900 atm with the help of compressor
- Purification unit (Soda-lime tower): Compressed Nitrogen and Hydrogen is passed through soda-lime tower (NaOH/CaO) where CO2 and moisture are removed due to which Nitrogen and Hydrogen became free from impurities. 2NaOH + CO2 → Na2CO3 + H2O (because CO2 is impurity which is present in less amount otherwise it would form NaHCO3) CaO + H2O → Ca(OH)2
- Catalyst Chamber: It is a vertical, cylindrical steel vessel lined inside with thick walls able to withstand high pressure of gaseous mixture. It is also provided with well divided Iron as a catalyst and Molybdenum as promoter. Initially this chamber is heated up to 500 oC but once the reaction starts the heat energy released is sufficient to continue this reaction. Under this condition of temperature and pressure only 15% of gaseous mixture is converted into Ammonia.
- Condenser: A mixture of Ammonia and unreacted Nitrogen and Hydrogen is allowed to pass through condenser where ammonia gets condensed into liquid form which is collected into a receiver.
- Re-circulation pump: Unreacted N2 and H2 are recirculated over the catalyst chamber with the help of re-circulation pump to get more and more amount of Ammonia.
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