The process of Haber-Bosch to obtain ammonia it was named after its creators: Fritz Haber (1868 – 1934) and William Carl Bosch (1874 – 1940), in the process stipulated by them, ammonia is produced at high temperatures (500 °C and pressure of 200 atm). As can be seen, the temperature and pressure are extremely high, which allows obtaining the product: liquid ammonia, which can be used as fertilizer for agriculture or even to reduce soil acidity. Process equation:
N2(g) + 3 H2(g) ↔ 2 NH3(g) ∆ H = -92.22 Kj
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Note that this equation is for the formation of ammonia in the gaseous state, see now some procedures for the artificial production of liquid ammonia:
1. A gas mixture of N2 and H2 is placed in a reactor;
2. When reacting and reaching equilibrium, the mixture of N2 and H2 is transferred to a condenser;
3. At this stage the ammonia formed is in the gaseous state: NH3(g), but when it passes through the condenser it becomes liquid;
4. Once the ammonia is liquefied, it is then removed and can be used.
Ammonia synthesis by the Haber-Bosch process is economically viable and widely used.
By Líria Alves
Graduated in Chemistry
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SOUZA, Líria Alves de. "Obtaining Ammonia: Haber-Bosch process"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/quimica/obtencao-amonia-processo-haberbosch.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.
