Question

(a) Name the process used for the manufacture of nitric acid.
(b) What are the reactants required for it and what are their sources?
(c) In which ratio reactants are taken in this process?
(d) Name the catalyst used in the process.
(e) What is the oxidizing agent in this process?
(f) Write the equations involved.

Answer 1

1. Ostwald process is used for the commercial manufacturing of nitric acid.
2. The ammonia required for the Ostwald process is obtained from the Haber's process. The oxygen needed is obtained from air.
3. The ratio of ammonia to air is about 1:10.
4. The catalyst used is 90% platinum and 10% rhodium.
5. The oxidising agent used is oxygen from the air.
6. The equations are:

​$$\begin{gathered} 4{\mathrm{NH}}_3+5{\mathrm{O}}_2\underset{\mathrm{Pt}\mathrm{catalyst}}{\overset{800°\mathrm{C}}{\to }}4\mathrm{NO}+6{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}+\mathrm{Heat} \\ 2\mathrm{NO}+{\mathrm{O}}_2\stackrel{50°\mathrm{C}}{\to }2{\mathrm{NO}}_2 \\ 4{\mathrm{NO}}_2+{\mathrm{O}}_2+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\to 4{\mathrm{HNO}}_3 \end{gathered}$$