The importance of the Haber process

Ammonia is one of the most important compounds needed to make .

Ammonia is made using the , which involves a between nitrogen and hydrogen:

nitrogen + hydrogen ⇌ ammonia

N₂(g) + 3H₂(g) ⇌ 2NH₃(g)

Ammonium nitrate, NH₄NO₃, is a used as a fertiliser. It can be manufactured by reacting ammonia solution with nitric acid:

ammonia + nitric acid \(\rightarrow\) ammonium nitrate

NH₃(aq) + HNO₃(aq) \(\rightarrow\) NH₄NO₃(aq)

Ammonium nitrate is a source of nitrogen, so it can be used as a ‘nitrogenous’ fertiliser.

The nitric acid used in this process is also made from ammonia. Several stages are involved, but overall the process is:

ammonia + oxygen \(\rightarrow\) nitric acid + water

NH₃(g) + 2O₂(g) \(\rightarrow\) HNO₃(aq) + H₂O(l)

Ammonium sulfate (NH₄)₂SO₄ is another salt used as a fertiliser. It can be made by reacting ammonia solution with sulfuric acid:

ammonia + sulfuric acid \(\rightarrow\) ammonium sulfate

2NH₃(aq) + H₂SO₄(aq) \(\rightarrow\) (NH₄)₂SO₄(aq)

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