https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2020.029
Published: Kem. Ind. 70 (3-4) (2021) 179–185
Paper reference number: KUI-29/2020
Paper type: Professional paper / Chemistry in Teaching
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Nitrogen Fixation: Rate and Equilibria of Chemical Reactions

N. Raos

Abstract

Presentation of technological processes for the production of nitric acid (Birkeland-Eyde) and ammonia (Haber-Bosch) by nitrogen fixation points not only to the importance of chemical technology in world economy and politics, but it could also provide a way for the teaching of chemical kinetics and thermodynamics. The success (yield) of both processes depends mostly on establishing chemical equilibrium at the best conditions and with the proper rate of reaction. In Birkeland-Eyde process, a good yield is managed by regulation of temperature, while in Haber-Bosch synthesis, it is obtained by a fine interplay of temperature and pressure along with a good choice of catalyst.

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Keywords

chemistry education, Birkeland-Eyde process, Haber-Bosch process, chemical kinetics, chemical thermodynamics