Question

In any engineering design problem, the first step is to understand the problem and identify one or more possible solutions. In this task, you’ll analyze the problems you face as the chemical engineer challenged with setting up the ammonia-making process. Recall the chemical equation for producing ammonia:

N2 + 3H2 ⇌ 2NH3 + energy

How can you change the chemical equilibrium to benefit the company? What benefits will be realized?

Answer 1

To optimize the yield of ammonia in the Haber process, increasing system pressure shifts the chemical equilibrium towards producing more NH3. This results in a higher production rate and economic efficiency, aligning with industrial goals.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of chemical engineering, changing the chemical equilibrium in the production of ammonia (NH3) from nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen (H2) gases can highly benefit a chemical company. The Haber process is grounded in the reaction: N2 + 3H2 ⇌ 2NH3 + energy. By adjusting conditions such as pressure and temperature, the yield of ammonia can be increased according to Le Chatelier's Principle.

To shift the equilibrium towards the formation of more NH3, increasing the pressure of the system is effective because the reaction results in a decrease in the number of gas particles. According to the balanced chemical equation, we start with 1 mole of nitrogen and 3 moles of hydrogen to get 2 moles of ammonia. Since the reaction produces fewer gas particles as products, an increase in pressure will favor the production of ammonia, thus potentially increasing the yield and efficiency of the process.

Increasing the pressure is also practical considering industrial production constraints. The benefits of manipulating the chemical equilibrium in this manner include increased production rates and improved economic efficiency, as higher yields of ammonia mean more effective use of feedstock gases, which contributes to cost savings for the company.

Answer 2

rising pressure and decreasing temperature

Step-by-step explanation:

Reversible reactions have a bit practical interest, but in some cases the technological benefit or profitability of production requires a shift in the equilibrium of a reversible reaction.

Increasing pressure

With increasing pressure on this system, the concentration of substances increases. In this case, the balance will shift towards smaller volumes. On the left side of the equation, two volumes of nitrogen react with one volume of hydrogen. On the right side of the equation there are two volumes of ammonia, i.e. the number of volumes on the right side of the equilibrium reaction is less than on the left and, therefore, with increasing pressure, the reaction equilibrium will shift to the right.

Decreasing temperature

When the temperature rises, the equilibrium shifts towards the endothermic reaction, and when the temperature decreases, towards the exothermic reaction and the reaction given above is the exothermic.