UPSC » UPSC CSE Study Materials » Chemistry » Ostwald Process for making Nitric Acid

Ostwald Process for making Nitric Acid

The Ostwald process is the catalyst-assisted decomposition of ammonia into nitrogen and oxygen. Learn about the step by step process here in this article.

The Ostwald process is a catalyst-based process for the production of nitric acid from ammonia and air. The diagram below shows the basic steps involved in this process. Nitrogen gas is first converted to nitric oxide, which is then oxidized to nitrogen dioxide. This gas is then passed through a catalyst bed, where it reacts with water to form nitric acid and hydrogen gas.

What Is The Ostwald Process?

The Ostwald process is the catalyst-assisted decomposition of ammonia into nitrogen and oxygen. The catalyst used is typically platinum, but other catalysts can be used as well. This process was first developed by German chemist Wilhelm Ostwald in 1909.

What Is The Catalyst Used In The Ostwald Process?

The catalyst used in the Ostwald process is platinum. This precious metal is found in small quantities in the earth’s crust and is expensive. The platinum catalyst is also used in many other chemical processes, such as the production of acetic acid and propylene oxide.

How Does The Ostwald Process Work?

The Ostwald process is a three-step process that begins with the ammonia oxidation to nitric oxide. The nitric oxide is then eroded to nitrogen dioxide, and finally, the nitrogen dioxide is dissolved in water to form nitric acid.

Ostwald Process Of Nitric Acid

There are a few steps involved in the making of nitric acid with the Ostwald process. They are the:

Catalytic Oxidation Reaction:

This is the first step of the Ostwald process and it involves the oxidation of nitrogen dioxide. The main purpose of this catalyst is to help with the reaction of nitrogen dioxide.

Here is the reactant:

N₂O₅ + H₂O → HNO₃ + NO

Chemical Absorption:

The second step is the absorption of nitric acid. This is done by using a catalyst to help with the reaction. The main purpose of this catalyst is to help with the absorption of nitric acid.

Here is the reactant: 

HNO₃ + NO → N₂O + H₂O

Ostwald Ripening:

The third and final step of the Ostwald process is the ripening of nitric acid. This is done by using a catalyst to help with the reaction. The main purpose of this catalyst is to help with the ripening of nitric acid.

Here is the reactant:

N₂O + H₂O → HNO₃ + NO

After these three steps, the nitric acid is then ready to be used.

The Ostwald process is a very important process for the making of nitric acid. It is a three-step process that uses a catalyst to help with the reactions. The main purpose of the catalyst is to help with the absorption of nitric acid. The Ostwald process is a very important process for the making of nitric acid.

What Are The Benefits Of The Ostwald Process?

The Ostwald process has several benefits. First, it is a very efficient way to produce nitric acid. Second, the process does not produce any harmful by-products. Finally, the process can be easily scaled up or down to meet the needs of the industry.

What Are The Drawbacks Of The Ostwald Process?

The main drawback of the Ostwald process is the cost of the catalyst. Platinum is a very expensive metal, and the process requires a large quantity of it. In addition, the process produces nitric acid that is not as pure as that produced by other methods.

Despite its drawbacks, the Ostwald process is still the most widely used method for producing nitric acid. It is a reliable and efficient process that can be easily scaled to meet the needs of the industry.

Conclusion

The Ostwald Process for making Nitric Acid is an interesting and important process. In this study, we have looked at the catalyst used in the Ostwald Process and how it works. We have also looked at the Ostwald Process diagram to see how the process works. Finally, we have looked at the advantages and disadvantages of using this process to make nitric acid. There are many advantages to using the Ostwald Process for making nitric acid. The catalyst used in the process is relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain. The process is also very efficient and can be used to produce large quantities of nitric acid. However, there are some disadvantages to using this process as well. Do you have any questions about the Ostwald process? Leave a comment below and let us know! We’d be happy to answer them.

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the UPSC Examination Preparation.

What is the catalyst used in the Ostwald process?

Ans. The catalyst used in the Ostwald process is platinum.

How does the Ostwald process work?

Ans. The Ostwald process begins with the ammonia oxidation  to nitric oxide: ...Read full

What is the main difference between the Haber process and the Ostwald process?

Ans: The Haber process is used to produce ammonia while the Ostwald process is used to produce nitric acid. The cata...Read full

What are the benefits of using the Ostwald process?

Ans: The main benefit of using the Ostwald process is that it is less expensive than the Haber process. In addition,...Read full