Ostwald Process

Describe Ostwald Process and Uses

• It is a process that produces nitric acid from ammonia.
• The mixture of ammonia and nitric acid makes ammonia nitrate which is used as a fertilizer.
• It is also used in furniture finishings and explosives in the military.

Development of the Ostwald Process

• The Ostwald Process was created by Wilhelm Ostwald, a German-Russian chemist in 1901.
• Ostwald was given the Nobel Prize for the Ostwald Process eight years later in 1909

Historical Background

• The Ostwald Process is still being used today because of its simplicity.
• It creates nitric acid just by using water, oxidation, and a platinum catalyst

Balanced Chemical Equation, endo or exo?

• The Ostwald Process is exothermic
• 4NO2 + 2H2O + O2 --> 4HNO3

Le Châtelier's Principle

• Since it is an exothermic reaction, it would shift the equilibrium to the right.
• Temperature decreases
• Concentration, pressure and volume increase

Temperature, Pressure, Conditions

• The favorable conditions are decreased temperature, increased concentration, increased pressure and increased volume

Safety Cost Considerations

• There aren't any notable safety procedures for doing this process.

Catalyst Used

• Platinum is used for as the catalyst for the Ostwald Process

Sources

• https://www.britannica.com/science/nitric-acid#ref181393
• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Wilhelm-Ostwald#ref159466
• http://chemistryhomework.weebly.com/