Question

State the conditions for the oxidation of ammonia to nitrogen monoxide(nitric oxide) in the manufacture of nitric acid by Ostwald's process. Write balanced equation for the raection.

Answer 1

The conditions for the oxidation of ammonia to nitrogen monoxide is;

1. The temperature should be about 800°C.
2. The catalyst used in the process is platinum or platinum rhodium.
3. The ratio of ammonia to air is 1:10.

$\underset{\mathrm{ammonia}}{\underset{}{4{\mathrm{NH}}_3}}+\underset{\mathrm{oxygen}}{\underset{}{5{\mathrm{O}}_2}}\underset{800°\mathrm{C}}{\overset{\mathrm{Pt}}{\to }}\underset{\mathrm{nitrogen}\mathrm{monoxide}}{\underset{}{4\mathrm{NO}}}+\underset{\mathrm{water}}{\underset{}{6{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}}+\mathrm{heat}$