Chemistry · Ch 5 — Surface Chemistry
Catalysts in Industry
5.2.5
Catalysts in Industry
Catalysts are central to large-scale industrial chemistry. The table below lists some important technical catalytic processes and the catalysts they use:
| Process | Catalyst |
|---|---|
| Haber's process (ammonia) — | Finely divided iron with molybdenum as promoter; ~200 bar, 723–773 K. A mixture of iron oxide, potassium oxide and alumina is now used. |
| Ostwald's process (nitric acid) — ; ; | Platinised asbestos; ~573 K. |
Table 5.3
| Process | Catalyst |
|---|---|
| 1. Haber's process for the manufacture of ammonia | |
| N2(g) + 3H2(g) → 2NH3(g) | Finely divided iron, molybdenum as promoter; conditions: 200 bar pressure and 723-773K temperature. Now-a-days, a mixture of iron oxide, potassium oxide and alumina is used. |
| 2. Ostwald's process for the manufacture of nitric acid. | |
| 4NH3(g) + 5O2(g) → 4NO(g) + 6H2O(g) | |
| 2NO(g) + O2(g) → 2NO2(g) | |
| 4NO2(g) + 2H2O(l) + O2(g) → 4HNO3(aq) | Platinised asbestos; temperature 573K. |
| 3. Contact process for the manufacture of sulphuric acid. | |
| 2SO2(g) + O2(g) → 2SO3(g) … |