Principle
In the presence of a suitable catalyst and while giving off
heat, ammonia-air mixtures burn and form nitrogen monoxide and
water. Nitrogen monoxide reacts immediately with the excess oxygen,
thereby forming nitrogen dioxide.
At higher temperatures, nitrogen monoxide is decomposed into
nitrogen and oxygen. This is why the contact with the catalyst must
be very brief. In the presence of water and oxygen, nitrogen
dioxide forms nitric acid. On a large industrial scale, the
combustion of ammonia with atmospheric oxygen is performed under
contact with platinum (Ostwald process). The resulting nitric acid
is used for the production of fertilisers and numerous other
chemical products.
Benefits
- Introduction to the Ostwald process
- Practical water jet pump for easy generation of the required negative pressure
- Stable and safe setup due to solid stand material
Tasks
Burn an ammonia-air mixture in the presence of a catalyst
(platinum-palladium-aluminium-oxide beads) and prove the resulting
nitrogen oxide.
What you can learn about
- Ostwald process
- Ammonia
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Nitrogen monoxide
- Nitric acid
