Question

What is the name of the industrial process which starts with the reaction in catalytic oxidation of ammonia?

Answer 1

Ostwal’s process in the production of nitric oxide:

• In Ostwald’s process, catalytic oxidation of ammonia is used to produce nitric oxide.
• This is an exothermic reaction.
• It is the industrial method opted for Nitric acid production.

$$\begin{gathered} 4{\mathrm{NH}}_3\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+5{\mathrm{O}}_2\to 4\mathrm{NO}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+6{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{g}\right) \\ \mathrm{Ammonia}\mathrm{Oxygen}\mathrm{Nitric}\mathrm{oxide}\mathrm{water} \\ 2\mathrm{NO}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\to {\mathrm{NO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right) \\ \mathrm{Nitric}\mathrm{oxide}\mathrm{Oxygen}\mathrm{Nitrogen}\mathrm{dioxide} \\ 4{\mathrm{NO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\to 4{\mathrm{HNO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right) \\ \mathrm{Nitrogen}\mathrm{dioxide}\mathrm{water}\mathrm{oxygen}\mathrm{Nitric}\mathrm{acid} \end{gathered}$$

The industrial process which starts with the catalytic oxidation of ammonia is Ostwald’s process.