Question

Describe the industrial preparation method of ammonia, with a labelled diagram.

Answer 1

Ammonia is manufactured industrially by combining nitrogen and hydrogen in the ratio 1 : 3. The mixture is compressed to about 200 atm and passed over finely divided iron catalyst at about 450°C.

The reaction is:

\[\ce{N2 + 3H2 <=> 2NH3 + heat}\]

The ammonia formed is cooled and separated as liquid ammonia. The unreacted nitrogen and hydrogen are recycled.