Question

For commercial uses like production of fertilisers, nitric acid is required in large quantity and its industrial production is done through a specialised process called Ostwald's process. Answer the following questions regarding this process.

1. Name the reactant(s) used in this process.
2. Name the catalyst used.
3. Up to what temperature is the catalyst heated?
4. Give the reaction that takes place in catalytic chamber.
5. Name the product(s) formed.

Answer 1

(i) Ammonia gas (NH₃) and dry atmospheric air/oxygen (O₂) in a 1 : 10 ratio by volume.

(ii) Platinum gauze

(iii) Around (700°C - 800°C)

(iv) \[\ce{4NH3 + 5O2 ->[Pt][700°C - 800°C] 4NO + 6H2O + Heat}\]

(v) Nitric oxide (NO) and water vapour (H₂O).