Ammonia is synthesized by reacting nitrogen with hydrogen according to the Haber…
CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · A Level · Chemistry · Amount of substance · Amount of substance
Problem
Ammonia is synthesized by reacting nitrogen with hydrogen according to the Haber process:
N2(g)+3H2(g)→2NH3(g)
A pilot-scale system feeds a single batch containing 8.00kg of N2 and 2.00kg of H2. After the reaction reaches completion under the operating conditions, 1.80kg of NH3 is collected.
(a) Identify the limiting reactant. Quantitatively justify your answer.
(b) Calculate the theoretical mass of NH3 that could be produced from the initial feed.
(c) Determine the percent yield of NH3 for this batch.
(d) Calculate the mass of the excess reactant that remains unreacted at the end of the process.
(e) Using your theoretical values, evaluate the atom economy of this synthesis and discuss the significance of your result for sustainable industrial chemistry.