Question

Explain the preparation of Nitric acid by Oswald's process

Answer 1

Answer:

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Explanation:

Ostwald Process for making Nitric Acid:

Step 1 - Primary oxidation (formation of nitric acid)

Oxidation of ammonia is carried out in a catalyst chamber in which one part of ammonia and eight parts of oxygen by volume are introduced. The temperature of the chamber is about 600oC. This chamber contains a platinum gauze which serves as the catalyst.

Oxidization of ammonia is a reversible and exothermic process. Therefore according to Le- chatelier’s principle, a decrease in temperature favors reaction in forwarding direction. In primary oxidization, 95 percent of ammonia is converted into nitric oxide (NO).

4NH3 + 5O2   ↔ 4NO + 6H2O ?H -24.8 Kcal/mol

 

Step 2 - Secondary oxidation (formation of nitrogen dioxide)

Nitric oxide gas obtained by the oxidation of ammonia is very hot. In order to reduce its temperature, it is passed through a heat exchanger where the temperature of nitric oxide is reduced to 150oC. Nitric oxide after cooling is transferred to another oxidizing tower where at about 50oC it is oxidized to nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

2NO + O2   ↔2 NO2

Step 3 - Absorption of NO2 (formation of HNO3)

Nitrogen dioxide from secondary oxidation chamber is introduced into a special absorption tower. NO2 gas passed through the tower and water is showered over it. By the absorption, nitric acid is obtained.

3NO2 + H2O -> 2HNO3 + NO

Nitric acid so obtained is very dilute. It is recycled in absorption tower so that more and more NO2 get absorbed. HNO3, after recycle, becomes about 68 percent concentrated.

Step 4 - Concentration

In order to increase the concentration of HNO3, vapors of HNO3 are passed over concentrated H2SO4. Being a dehydrating agent, H2SO4 absorbs water from HNO3 and concentrated HNO3 is obtained.

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