What is the name of the process by which ammonia is produced on an industrial scale?
Answer Details
The name of the process by which ammonia is produced on an industrial scale is called the Haber process.
The Haber process is a very important chemical process that allows the production of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gases. It was developed by Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch in the early 20th century and is still widely used today.
In the Haber process, nitrogen gas (N2) from the air is combined with hydrogen gas (H2) obtained from natural gas or other sources. These gases are then reacted under high pressure (around 200 atmospheres) and with the help of a catalyst, usually made of iron, to form ammonia (NH3).
The reaction can be represented by the following equation:
N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3
The Haber process is carried out at high pressure to increase the yield of ammonia, as the reaction is favored by higher pressure. The catalyst helps to speed up the reaction and increase the efficiency of the process.
Ammonia is an important chemical compound used in the production of fertilizers, cleaning products, and various other industrial processes. The Haber process plays a crucial role in meeting the global demand for ammonia and enabling the production of these essential products on a large scale.
Therefore, the correct answer is the Haber process.