Ammonia is manufactured industrially by Haber's process.
N2 + 3H2 ⇌ 2NH3 +46.4 KJ mol-1
This is a reversible exothermic reaction. High pressure about 200 atm, low temp. 700 K and use of catalyst such as iron oxide with small amounts of Al2O3 and K2O would favour for formation of ammonia according to Le-chatelier's principle.
Nitric acid prepared from ammonia:
On large scale nitric acid is prepared by Ostwald's process. In this process, Ammonia undergo catalytic oxidation by atmospheric oxygen to give nitric oxide.
4NH3 + 5O2 → 4NO + 6H2O
Nitric oxide combines with oxygen to give NO2
2NO + O2 ⇌ 2NO2
Nitrogen dioxide combines with oxygen to give NO2
2NO2 + O2 ⇌ 2NO2
Nitrogen dioxide dissolves in water to give nitric acid
3NO2 + H2O → 2HNO3 + NO
In this way 98% HNO3 is obtained.
