Ammonia

OBJECTIVES

4.1 outline the steps in the manufacture of

ammonia from its elements, by the Haber
process
4.2 discuss the uses of ammonia
4.3 assess the impact of the ammonia
industry on the environment
What is Ammonia

Ammonia is a compound of Nitrogen and

Hydrogen with the formula NH3. It is a
colourless gas with a characteristic and a
famous pungent smell.
4.1 Outline the steps in the manufacture of
ammonia from its elements, by the Haber process

The Haber Process combines nitrogen from

the air with hydrogen derived mainly from
natural gas (methane) into ammonia. The
reaction is reversible and the production of
ammonia is exothermic.
A flow scheme for the Haber Process looks
like this:
The catalyst

The catalyst is actually slightly more

complicated than pure iron. It has
potassium hydroxide added to it as a
promoter - a substance that increases its
efficiency.
The pressure

The pressure varies from one manufacturing

plant to another, but is always high about 200
atmospheres.

Temperature

The temperature used is about 400-450 °C

Recycling

At each pass of the gases through the reactor,

only about 15% of the nitrogen and hydrogen
converts to ammonia. By continual recycling
of the unreacted nitrogen and hydrogen, the
overall conversion is about 98%.
4.2 Discuss the uses of ammonia

 Ammonia can be used to clean a variety of household

surfaces – from tubs, sinks and toilets to bathroom and
kitchen countertops and tiles. Ammonia also is effective
at breaking down household grime or stains from animal
fats or vegetable oils, such as cooking grease and wine
stains. Because ammonia evaporates quickly, it is
commonly used in glass cleaning solutions to help avoid
streaking.
Ammonia in Industrial/Manufacturing
Uses
 When used as a refrigerant gas and in air-conditioning equipment,
ammonia can absorb substantial amounts of heat from its
surroundings.
 Ammonia can be used to purify water supplies and as a building
block in the manufacture of many products including plastics,
explosives, fabrics, pesticides and dyes.
 Ammonia also is used in the waste and wastewater treatment,
cold storage, rubber, pulp and paper and food and beverage
industries as a stabilizer, neutralizer and a source of nitrogen. It
also is used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals
Ammonia in Fertilizers

 About 90 percent of ammonia produced is used in

fertilizer, to help sustain food production for billions of
people around the world. The production of food crops
naturally depletes soil nutrient supplies. In order to
maintain healthy crops, farmers rely on fertilizers to
keep their soils productive. Fertilizers also can also help
increase levels of essential nutrients like zinc, selenium
and boron in food crops.
4.3 Assess the impact of the ammonia industry on the
environment