9.4.

2 Chemical processes in industry require monitoring and management to maximise production

Read the following information and complete the questions that follow.

The Equilibrium of the Haber Process



Increase in temperature
High temperatures cause particles move faster, increasing the frequency increasing the
chance of successful collisions, and thus increases the rate of reaction in accordance
with the collision theory. However, it does not necessarily increase yield.

According to Le Chatelier,
if a system is in equilibrium and a change is made that upsets the equilibrium, then
the system alters in such a way as to counteract the change and a new equilibrium is
established.

The Haber process (the production of ammonia from its base elements) is an
exothermic reaction, an increase in temperature will result in the equilibrium favouring
the reverse reaction in an attempt to decrease the amount of heat generated. As such,
the yield of ammonia would decrease.

Note: Exothermic reactions have their yield (products) reduced at higher temperatures.
This occurs as the system works to minimise the impact of the disturbance (an increase
in heat in this case).

Therfore, when the temperature increases, both the forward and backward reactions
increase.

Increase in pressure
According to Le Chateliers Principle, if pressure on a reaction system is increased
moves in the direction which tends to reduce pressure; that is, the direction which
corresponds to a decrease in the number of moles of gas. The Haber process shows
that 4 moles (1 + 3) of reactants are converted to 2 moles of product. Thus increased
pressure favours the forward reaction, increasing the yield of ammonia.

Increasing the pressure also increases the concentration so the chance of collision is
higher resulting in higher reaction rate and more product.
explain why the rate of reaction is increased by higher temperatures
explain why the yield of product in the Haber process is reduced at higher temperatures using Le Chateliers
principle
explain that the use of a catalyst will lower the reaction temperature required and identify the catalyst(s) used in
the Haber process
N
2(g)
+ 3H
2(g)
2NH
3(g)
H = -92 kJ/mol
Addition of Catalysts

Catalysts are useful because they lower the activation energy, increase the reaction
rate, and equilibrium is achieved faster.

They do not affect the position of equilibrium. Catalysts cause the forward and reverse
reactions to speed up by equal amounts.

At any given temperature, a catalyst makes it more likely that colliding molecules will
have enough energy to react, so the rate increases.

The catalyst used in the Haber process is porous magnetite, Fe
3
O
4
, mixed with other
metal oxides.

The use of the catalyst allows lower temperatures and pressures to be used to achieve
acceptable reaction rates without too great a loss in yield of product per cycle.

Catalysts are important in industry as there are considerable savings to be made in
time and energy as reactions can be conducted at lower temperatures.






















The Haber Process


Reference: Keep it Simple Science, HSC Chemistry Topic 3- Chemical Monitoring and Management

The Haber Process and Equilibrium


1. State Le Chateliers Principle:





2. Write the word and symbol equations for the Haber Process.




3. Complete the following table to show the effects of the following changes on the
yield of ammonia produced in the Haber process.

Change
(cause)
Effect on..

Rate of reaction Equilibrium
Yield of
ammonia
Other
Increase in
temperature

















Increase in
pressure



















Addition of a
catalyst
(e.g. . )




4. Explain, using Le Chateliers principle, the effect of increasing temperature on the
yield of ammonia produced in the Haber process.







5. Explain the effect of increasing the pressure on the yield of ammonia produced in
the Haber process.








6. Explain the effects of the addition of a catalyst on equilibrium and the yield of
ammonia produced in the Haber process.