Explain the Bosch process for the industrial preparation of hydrogen gas? [4 marks]

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Solution

The different steps involved in Bosch process are:
First step

The first step in manufacturing of hydrogen by the Bosch process involves the production of water gas. The reaction is:
C (s) + H $_{2}$ O (g) → CO (g) + H $_{2}$ (g)
The mixture of CO and H $_{2}$ is known as the water gas. [1 mark]

Second step

In this step, water is reduced by water gas. Water gas is mixed with excess steam and passed over heated ferric oxide and chromic oxide. Ferric oxide acts as a catalyst whereas chromic oxide acts as a promoter. The reaction is:
(CO + H2 ) (g) + H $_{2}$ O (g) → CO $_{2}$ (g) + 2H $_{2}$ (g) [1 mark]

Third step

The third step is separation of carbon dioxide. The mixture of CO $_{2}$ and H $_{2}$ is forced through the cold water under pressure or through the caustic potash solution, which dissolves the more soluble carbon dioxide. The reaction is:
2KOH (aq) + CO $_{2}$ (g) → K $_{2}$ CO $_{3}$ (aq) + H $_{2}$ O (l) [1 mark]

Fourth step
The fourth step is separation of carbon monoxide. The mixture is passed through the ammoniacal cuprous chloride solution to dissolve carbon monoxide. The reaction is:
CuCl (aq) + CO (g) + 2H $_{2}$ O (l) → CuCl.CO.2H $_{2}$ O (aq) [1 mark]

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