Question

What poisons the Catalytic chamber?

• A. Nitrogen monoxide
• B. Excess air
• C. Platinum gauze
• D. Impurities

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Impurities

D: Impurities

1. For the production of Nitric acid$\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{HNO}}_{\mathbf{3}}\mathbf{\right)}$, we come across a process called the Ostwald process.
2. The process involves three stages as follows:

• Oxidation of Ammonia$\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{NH}}_{\mathbf{3}}\mathbf{\right)}$ through catalyst.
• Oxidation of Nitric acid$\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{HNO}}_{\mathbf{3}}\mathbf{\right)}$
• In water: Absorption of Nitric acid$\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{HNO}}_{\mathbf{3}}\mathbf{\right)}$

1. The mixture of dry air and dry ammonia is compressed and passed to the catalytic chamber that contains Platinum gauze as a catalyst to complete the reaction.
2. The impurities which are generated in this process catalytic oxidation create a poisonous environment in the catalytic chamber.
3. The gases produced are Carbon monoxides $\mathbf{\left(}\mathbf{CO}\mathbf{\right)}$ Halides$\mathbf{\left(}\mathbf{X}\mathbf{\right)}$, Cyanides$\mathbf{\left(}\mathbf{CN}\mathbf{\right)}$, and many other gases are involved.
4. Thus, the impurities create a poisonous environment in the catalytic chamber, So option D is correct.

A: Nitrogen monoxide

1. In the catalytic oxidation process, Nitrogen monoxide$\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{NO}}_{\mathbf{2}}\mathbf{\right)}$ is produced when oxidation of ammonia occurs.
2. The process is exothermic and it does not create any poisonous environment.
3. This helps in further obtaining the Nitric acid. So option A is incorrect.

B: Excess air

1. In the catalytic oxidation process the dry ammonia and dry air is present in the ratio$10:1$.
2. The ratio of dry air signifies the importance to obtain Nitric acid$\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{HNO}}_{\mathbf{3}}\mathbf{\right)}$.
3. The dry air here used is free from all the impurities, dust particles, and carbon dioxide. So option B is incorrect.

C: Platinum gauze

1. As Platinum works as a catalyst so this won't be able to create any poisonous environment rather fasten up the reaction. So option C is incorrect.