Review of Equilibrium and Industrial Processes

Flashcards about Equilibrium, Haber process, and industrial chemical processes

Equilibrium

A state in which many systems, including chemical reactions, exist; an example is the hemoglobin-oxygen interaction

Hemoglobin-oxygen interaction

An example of equilibrium where hemoglobin in red blood cells transports oxygen, represented by the equation: Hb(aq) + 4O2 « Hb(O2)4

Haber process

A process discovered by Fritz Haber which allows for the large-scale production of fertilizers; also provided Germany with ammonia for explosives during World War I

Le Chatelier's principle

A dynamic equilibrium is disturbed by changing the conditions, the position of equilibrium shifts to counteract the change to reestablish an equilibrium

Monocultures

The agricultural landscape that is often viewed as unsustainable due to the threat to food security, continuation of species, and the conservation of natural resources; United Nations World Food Programme: People are considered food secure when they have available access at all times to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life.

Haber process variables

Nitrogen from the air and hydrogen from natural gas react in a 1:3 volume ratio at 400-450°C and 200 atm using an iron catalyst with unreacted gases recycled and ammonia cooled to liquid form (AH = -92 kJ mol-)

Concentration effect on equilibrium

Increasing the concentration of reactants favors the forward reaction, while increasing the concentration of products favors the reverse reaction.

Uses of nitrogen-containing chemicals

Includes nitric acid (HNO3), ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4), and urea (NH2CONH2); their production increases yearly

Industrial reaction conditions for ammonia production

Ideal temperature is approximately 450°C; increasing pressure generally increases yield, but very high pressures are not used due to practical limitations

Equilibrium control in industrial processes

Involves factors like pressure and catalysts to optimize product yield