Haber Process

• Haber process is used to make ammonia (NH3)
• NH3 is used to manufacture fertilizers and explosives
• N2 + 3H2 --> 2NH3 (Reversible reaction)
• N2 comes from 78% of the air and fractional distillation is used to separate it
• H2 comes from the electrolysis of water or natural gas (CH4)
• To collect N2 gas, the air must be condensed to -200 c, heated until liquid evaporates (lowest bpt evaporates first which is Ar due to weak IMF's), and heat at higher temp to remove each fraction
• Ar is used for light bulbs
• CO2 is used for fire extinguishers
• O2 is used for hospitals/diving
• N2 is used for the Haber Process
• NH3 + HCL = NH4CL

  NH3 + H2SO4 = (NH4)2SO4

  NH3 + HNO3 = NH4NO3

  NH3 + H3PO4 = (NH4)3PO4
• NPK Fertilizer = Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and (K) Potassium
• NH3 has no potassium or phosphorus
• NH3 is a base
• NH3 is a gas at room temp
• NH3 is reversible so it can reform to H2 + N2
• NH4 can have phosphorus added to it
• NH4 is neutral
• NH4 is irreversible so it remains as a salt
• NH4 is a solid (soluble in water)
• The conditions of the process are 200 Atm of pressure, 450 c, and an iron catalyst
• An environmental problem of this process is that due to the high temp and pressure, the reaction has a high electricity demand from fossil fuels
• An environmental problem of this process is that fertilizers can leak into rivers and lakes - eutrophication (kills fish)
• An environmental problem of this process is that it uses CH4 which is a non-renewable resource