In the manufacture of ammonia by Haber's process: i) Mention the optimum temperature and optimum pressure employed. ii) What is the role played by potassium oxide (K_(2)O)?

In the manufacture of ammonia by Haber's process: i) Mention the opti

1.	In the manufacture of ammonia by Haber's process: i) Mention the optimum temperature and optimum pressure employed. ii) What is the role played by potassium oxide (K_(2)O)?
Answer» Solution :On large scale ammonia is manufactured by Habers process according to the equation. `N_(2)(g)+3H_(2)(g)hArr 2NH_(3)(g), Delta_(f)H=-46kj mol` According to the lechatelier.s principle i) High pressure would favour the formation of ammonia the pressure used is 200 atm or 20 Mpa ii) Low temperature FAVOURS the formation of ammonia because formation of ammonia is exothermic reaction. The optimum temperature used in Haber.s process is 700k. III) Iron oxide is used as catalyst to attain equilibrium quickly. iv) `K_(2)O and Al_(2)O_(3)` are used as catalytic promoter to increase the activity of catalyst. Note:- Earlier Iron was used as catalyst with molybdenum as promoter. i) Optimum temperature is `= 700k or 427^(@) c` Optimum pressure is `= 200 XX 10^(5)" pa or 200 atm"` ii) potassium oxide increase the rate of attainment of equilibrium/promoter/increase the activity of the catalyst.