The Ostwald Process is used to produce Nitric Acid. It is what most GTs currently base their production on.
Products
Main Product: Nitric Acid
Side Product(s): None
Steps
Nitrogen Dioxide
2 Ammonia (g) + 5 Oxygen (g) -> 2 Nitric Oxide (g) + 3 Steam (g)
2NH3 (g) + 5O (g) -> 2NO (g) + 3H2O (g), dH=-905kJ/mol
This step is very exothermic, and can be used as a heat source. This is typically done at a pressure range of 410-1000kPa and temperature range of 870-1073K. It additionally has a complication, where a side reaction can occur: 2NH3 (g) + 3NO (g) -> 5N (g) + 3H2O (g), which can be mitigated with a platinum or rhodium gauze catalyst and a pressure of 910kPa and temperature of 500K.
3 Nitrogen Dioxide (g) + 1 Water (l) -> 2 Nitric Acid (aq) + Nitric Oxide (g)
3NO2 (g) + H2O (l) -> 2HNO3 (aq) + NO (g), dH=-117kJ/mol
Here the output NO is recylced back around for NO2 production.
2 Nitrogen Dioxide (g) + 1 Oxygen (g) + 1 Water (l) -> 2 Nitric Acid (aq)
2NO2 (g) + O (g) + H2O (l) -> 2HNO3 (aq), dH=-348kJ/mol
This step is performed in an Absorption Tower
Overall Reaction:
2 Ammonia (g) + 8 Oxygen (g) + 1 Water (l) -> 3 Steam (g) + 2 Nitric Acid (aq)
2NH3 (g) + 8O (g) + H2O (l) -> 3H2O (g) + 2HNO3 (aq), dH=-740.6kJ/mol
If the state of water is ignored: NH3 (g) + 4O (g) -> H2O (g) + HNO3 (aq), dH=-370.3kJ/mol.
Bonus Reaction:
2 Nitrogen Dioxide (g) + 1 Hydrogen Peroxide (l) -> 2 Nitric Acid (aq)
2NO2 (g) + H2O2 (l) -> 2HNO3 (aq)
This is not part of the Ostwald process, but the reaction is still notable.
Details
The Ostwald Process is used to produce Nitric Acid. It is what most GTs currently base their production on.
Products
Main Product: Nitric Acid Side Product(s): None
Steps
Nitrogen Dioxide
2 Ammonia (g) + 5 Oxygen (g) -> 2 Nitric Oxide (g) + 3 Steam (g)
2NH3 (g) + 5O (g) -> 2NO (g) + 3H2O (g), dH=-905kJ/molThis step is very exothermic, and can be used as a heat source. This is typically done at a pressure range of 410-1000kPa and temperature range of 870-1073K. It additionally has a complication, where a side reaction can occur:2NH3 (g) + 3NO (g) -> 5N (g) + 3H2O (g), which can be mitigated with a platinum or rhodium gauze catalyst and a pressure of 910kPa and temperature of 500K.1 Nitric Oxide (g) + 1 Oxygen (g) -> 1 Nitrogen Dioxide (g)
NO (g) + O (g) -> NO2 (g), dH=-114kJ/molNitric Acid
3 Nitrogen Dioxide (g) + 1 Water (l) -> 2 Nitric Acid (aq) + Nitric Oxide (g)
3NO2 (g) + H2O (l) -> 2HNO3 (aq) + NO (g), dH=-117kJ/molHere the output NO is recylced back around for NO2 production.2 Nitrogen Dioxide (g) + 1 Oxygen (g) + 1 Water (l) -> 2 Nitric Acid (aq)
2NO2 (g) + O (g) + H2O (l) -> 2HNO3 (aq), dH=-348kJ/molThis step is performed in an Absorption TowerOverall Reaction: 2 Ammonia (g) + 8 Oxygen (g) + 1 Water (l) -> 3 Steam (g) + 2 Nitric Acid (aq)
2NH3 (g) + 8O (g) + H2O (l) -> 3H2O (g) + 2HNO3 (aq), dH=-740.6kJ/molIf the state of water is ignored:NH3 (g) + 4O (g) -> H2O (g) + HNO3 (aq), dH=-370.3kJ/mol.Bonus Reaction: 2 Nitrogen Dioxide (g) + 1 Hydrogen Peroxide (l) -> 2 Nitric Acid (aq)
2NO2 (g) + H2O2 (l) -> 2HNO3 (aq)This is not part of the Ostwald process, but the reaction is still notable.Yield
1 Ammonia -> 1 Nitric Acid
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitric_acid#Production https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostwald_process