The Haber process

What is the equation for the Haber process?

What are the conditions used in the Haber process and why do we use them?

Temperature

• 450°C

• Compromise between yield and rate of reaction

• Forward reaction is exo so too high gives us a lower yield of ammonia but too low means slower rate of reaction

• High temp= lower equilibrium yield but faster rate of reaction

Pressure

• 200 atm

• Higher pressure gives higher yield of ammonia

• Too high of pressure means it’s very expensive so compromise is used

Catalyst

• Phosphoric acid

• Only increases the rate of reaction

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