What is ammonia synthesis?

ammonia synthesis is an ammonia production from a combination of hydrogen and nitrogen gases. Most ammonia is used as fertilizer, although it can be used for other purposes, such as the production of explosives. The process was developed in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. The basic strategy for the production of ammonia, NH _{3 is to combine hydrogen gas, H 2 , with gas gas, n 2 , at high temperature and under high pressure. It is chemically a difficult reaction, so it requires the agent to speed up the process.}

The catalyst is a compound that increases the reaction faster. In ammonia synthesis, the catalyst is generally used by iron. The type of iron used is reduced magnetite ore . There are other chemicals that can be used as catalysts, but iron is the most common.

The hydrogen gas source is usually natural gas, also known as methane, ch _{4 . This describes the basic process of ammonia synthesis. Many other steps take place in the ammonia synthesis plant.Sulfur compounds are first removed from natural gas by reacting with zinc oxide, which is transformed into zinc sulphide. This leaves free methane, which passes through several other transformations and generates hydrogen gas.}

The temperature used is about 1482 ° F (400 ° C). The pressure used is less than what is optimal for the reaction. For safety reasons, the pressure of approximately 200 atmosphere (ATM) is used. The proceeds are about 10-20%under these conditions. As the mixture leaves the reactor, it is cooled, so ammonia becomes a liquid. The heat is captured and reused to heat the incoming gases.

This method of ammonia synthesis is known as the haber process because it was created by German chemist Fritz Haber, who developed conditions for chemical reaction. It developed it during lack of fertilizers containing nitrogen at the beginning of the 20th century and since Germany needed explosives for the First World War. Currently, ammonia is large on a large scale around the world.

The alternative way to produce hydrogen for reaction is the electrolysis of water. Electrolysis uses electricity to break up the compounds. In this case, the water is divided into hydrogen and oxygen. This was done in conjunction with the production of electricity from aquatic plants. Already in 1911, the electrolysis of water was used to secure hydrogen for ammonia synthesis.

Some microorganisms are able to use nitrogen gas from the air to produce ammonia. This process is called nitrogen fixation . In this case, catalysts are complex enzymes known as nitrogen . The bacteria that perform this process live on the roots of legumes, such as the peas of highlight. Nitrogen fixation has significantly improved the condition of nutrients in many soils.