Haber process

The Haber process is a high-temperasture high-pressure process for combining nitrogen and hydrogen gasses into ammonia. The reaction is relatively inefficient, with ~5% yield per iteration.

N₂ + 3 H₂

{Fe

→

20MPa, 500-600°C}

2 NH₃

The gasses are refrigerated, the ammonia removed as a liquid, and the process is repeated. Iron oxide can be used in place of iron, because it will be rapidly reduced by the hydrogen gas to water and pure iron.

Hazards

• At the extremely high temperatures and pressures involved, rupture and explosion of the reaction vessel is a serious concern.

See Also

• Ostwald Process