Question

Given below is the industrial process for the manufacture of ammonia gas. Study the schematic diagram to answer the following questions. 
(a) Name the process. 
(b) Which catalyst is used in the above process? 
(c) In the above diagrammatic setup, how is ammonia gas separated from the unreacted gases to obtain liquid ammonia? 
(d) Which two properties of ammonia gas can be demonstrated by the Fountain Experiment? 


 

Hint:

In the Fountain Experiment, the vacuum created by the rapid dissolution of ammonia in the first drop of water causes the water to rush up like a fountain. If phenolphthalein is used, the fountain turns pink!

Answer 1

(a) Name the process: 
The industrial manufacture of ammonia is known as the Haber Process.

(b) Which catalyst is used in the above process? 
The catalyst used is Finely divided Iron (Fe). 
Note: Molybdenum is often used as a promoter to enhance the efficiency of this catalyst. 

(c) In the above diagrammatic setup, how is ammonia gas separated from the unreacted gases to obtain liquid ammonia? 
Ammonia gas is separated by the process of liquefaction. Because ammonia has a higher boiling point and is more easily liquefied under pressure than nitrogen or hydrogen, it is condensed into a liquid in a cooling chamber while the unreacted gases are pumped back into the catalytic chamber. 

(d) Which two properties of ammonia gas can be demonstrated by the Fountain Experiment? 
The two properties demonstrated are: beginenumerate High solubility of ammonia gas in water. Basic (alkaline) nature of the gas. endenumerate