Ammonia Production Processes: Fritz Haber's Contribution and Alternatives

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In summary, Fritz Haber developed the process of synthesizing ammonia in 1908, which was later successfully commercialized by Carl Bosch. This process was necessary due to the limited natural sources of nitrogen compounds for fertilizers. Other production processes of ammonia include the hydrolysis of metal nitrides and the photochemical generation of ammonia by sunlight on transition-metal doped silicas. However, the Haber-Bosch process remains the only practical method on a large scale.
  • #1
PPonte
Why did Fritz Haber develop a process for systhesis of ammonia?

Which are the other production processes of ammonia? (except the ones named below)

Before the start of WWI most ammonia was obtained by the dry distillation of nitrogenous vegetable and animal products; by the reduction of nitrous acid and nitrites with hydrogen; and also by the decomposition of ammonium salts by alkaline hydroxides or by quicklime, the salt most generally used being the chloride (sal-ammoniac) thus
2NH4Cl + 2CaO → CaCl2 + Ca(OH)2 + 2NH3

It can also been obtained by the hydrolysis of many metal nitrides, for example,

Mg3N2 + 6H2O → 3Mg(OH)2 + 2NH3

One more time I need help. Thank you. :smile:
 
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  • #2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haber_Process

The process was first patented by Fritz Haber in 1908. In 1910 Carl Bosch, while working for chemical company BASF, successfully commercialized the process and secured further patents. It was first used on an industrial scale by the Germans during World War I: Germany had previously imported 'Chilean saltpeter' from Chile, but the demand for munitions and the uncertainty of this supply in the war prompted the adoption of the process. The ammonia produced was oxidized for the production of nitric acid in the Ostwald process, and the nitric acid for the production of various explosive nitro compounds used in munitions.
Not exactly an example of better living through chemistry.
 
  • #3
Astronuc said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haber_Process

Not exactly an example of better living through chemistry.

On the other hand, this process contributed to the availability of fertilizers on a commercial scale.http://www.efma.org/Publications/10anniversary/Section02.asp"
However, the invention which was to change the face of agriculture irreversibly was the work of Fritz Haber, a German physical chemist. In 1909, Haber developed a method of synthesising ammonia (on which the production of most nitrogen fertilizers is based) from nitrogen and hydrogen, and this method had commercial potential. With the expertise of Carl Bosch, a chemist working at the Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik (BASF), obstacles which hindered the large-scale adoption of the process were overcome and the Haber-Bosch process was born. This was followed, in the 1920s, by the Haber-Bosch high pressure process. The ability to create high technology has remained with the European fertilizer industry to the present day.
 
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  • #4
Haber had to invent the process because there were not enough natural sources to supply the demand for nitrogen compounds for fertilizers. Nitrogen makes up a significant portion of organic molecules necessary for life (and the products of agriculture (food)). It's been estimated that if Haber had not figured this out, a problem that had stumped many great minds, then 2 billion of the human population that exists today could not be supported. It was necessary because N2 makes up 80% of our atmosphere, but is unreactive.

Another process for N fixation is via bacteria metabolism and via passing air through electric arcs. The only practical method on a practical scale is the Haber-Bosch process however.
 
  • #5
Another method involves photochemically generating ammonia by the action of sunlight on transition-metal doped silicas. This was first discovered in the desert southwest where after rainstorms ammonia concentrations in desert sands were unusually high. It has since been repeated in the laboratory using iron, zirconia and titanium.
 
  • #6
chemisttree said:
Another method involves photochemically generating ammonia by the action of sunlight on transition-metal doped silicas. This was first discovered in the desert southwest where after rainstorms ammonia concentrations in desert sands were unusually high. It has since been repeated in the laboratory using iron, zirconia and titanium.

That sounds interesting, I've not come across this. Do you have any links or book references where I can learn more?
 
  • #7
siddharth said:
That sounds interesting, I've not come across this. Do you have any links or book references where I can learn more?

Schrauzer, G. N., "Photofixation of milecular nitrogen by Desert Sands", American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum engineers, 109th Annual Meeting, Feb. 24-28, 1980.

Augugliaro, V. et. al, "Conversion of Solar Energy to Chemical Energy by Photo-Assisted Processes- I. Preliminary Results on Ammonia Production Over Doped Titanium Dioxide Catalysts in a Fluidized Bed Reactor", International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Vol. 7, No. 11, pp 845-849, 1982.

Augugliaro, V. et. al, "Conversion of Solar Energy to Chemical Energy by Photo-Assisted Processes- II. Influence of the Iron Oxide Content of the Activity of Doped Titanium Dioxide Catalyst for Ammonia Photo Production", International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Vol. 7, No. 11, pp 851-855, 1982.

Schrauzer, G. N., Schlesinger, G., Doemeny, P. A., "Chemical Evolution of a Nitrogen ASE Model III", Reduction of Nitrogen to Ammonia: Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol. 93, No. 7, pp 803-804.
 
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  • #8
Thanks chemisttree
 

1. What is the significance of Fritz Haber's contribution to ammonia production?

Fritz Haber's contribution to ammonia production was the development of the Haber-Bosch process in 1909. This process allowed for the large-scale production of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gases, which revolutionized the production of fertilizers and played a crucial role in the development of the chemical industry.

2. How does the Haber-Bosch process work?

The Haber-Bosch process involves the reaction of nitrogen and hydrogen gases at high temperatures and pressures in the presence of a catalyst to form ammonia. The process requires the use of natural gas or coal as a source of hydrogen and air as a source of nitrogen.

3. What are the environmental concerns associated with the Haber-Bosch process?

The Haber-Bosch process is energy-intensive and contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide. The production of ammonia also requires large amounts of natural resources, such as natural gas and water, which can lead to environmental degradation.

4. Are there any alternatives to the Haber-Bosch process for ammonia production?

Yes, there are alternative methods for ammonia production that do not rely on the Haber-Bosch process. These include biological processes, such as the Haber-Bosch process, which use bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, and renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, to power the process.

5. What are the potential benefits of using alternative methods for ammonia production?

Using alternative methods for ammonia production can reduce the environmental impacts associated with the Haber-Bosch process, such as greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion. Additionally, these methods may be more sustainable and cost-effective in the long term, as they rely on renewable resources and do not require the use of fossil fuels.

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