Question

The overall reaction for the Ostwald process for the

production of HNO₃ is

• A. 4NH₃ + 5O₂ ¾® 4NO + 6H₂O
• B. 3NO₂ + H₂O ¾® 2HNO₃ + NO
• C. 2NO₂ + H₂O ¾® HNO₃ + HNO₂
• D. 12NH₃ + 21O₂ ¾® 8HNO₃ + 4NO + 14H₂O

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

12NH₃ + 21O₂ ¾® 8HNO₃ + 4NO + 14H₂O

Answer 2

Ostwald process is

4NH₃ + 5O₂ (1:7 mix by vol) $\xrightarrow [ 5 \mathrm {~atm} ; 850 ^ { \circ } \mathrm { C } ] { \begin{array} { c } \mathrm { Pt } - \mathrm { Rh } \\ \text { catalyst } \end{array} }$

4NO + 6H₂O

2NO + O₂ $\rightleftarrows$ 2NO₂

3NO₂ + H₂O ¾® 2HNO₃ + NO

or 12NH₃ + 15O₂ ¾® 12NO + 18H₂O

12NO + 6O₂ ¾® 12NO₂

12NO₂ + 4H₂O ¾® 8HNO₃ + 4NO

12NH₃ + 21O₂ ¾® 8HNO₃ + 4NO + 14H₂O