Question

List the conditions that are required to maximize the yield of ammonia.

Answer 1

Hint: Ammonia is a water-soluble, colorless gas. Nitrogen and hydrogen are the major raw materials in formation of ammonia. Ammonia is a highly stable gas and decomposes into its constituents when electric sparks are passed through it.

Complete answer:
The process for the formation of ammonia in the industry is Haber’s process.
In this method nitrogen and hydrogen directly combine to form ammonia, the reaction is exothermic and reversible.
 \[{N_2} + 3{H_2} \rightleftharpoons 2N{H_3}{\text{ }}\Delta {\text{H = - 22}}{\text{.4kcal}}\]
In accordance with Le- Chatelier’s principle the yield of ammonia can be increased by the following optimum conditions:
A. High pressure: For a good yield of ammonia pressure of about atmospheres is needed.
B. Low temperature: Temperature to be maintained is.
C. Catalyst: The work of a catalyst is to lower the activation energy and decrease the time taken to reach equilibrium. To speed up the production of ammonia we need: Finely divided iron with molybdenum as promoter. Instead of this, we can also use finely divided nickel and soda-lime deposited over pumice stone.

Note:
 Ammonia is a Lewis base i.e. it accepts a proton to form an ammonium ion.
Ammonia has many uses like As fertilizer in fields, cleansing agent for removing grease, liquid ammonia is also used as a refrigerant.