Ammonia

Raw materials

1.Nitrogen

2. Hydrogen

Process

Harber Process

Nitrogen from the air is combined with hydrogen derived mainly from natural gas (methane) with the presence of iron catalyst to produce ammonia. The reaction is reversible and the production of ammonia is exothermic.

N₂ (g) + 3 H₂ (g) ⇌ 2 NH₃ (g)   (ΔH = −92.22 kJ·mol⁻¹)

Product

Ammonia

Used in

Fertilizer, precursor to nitrogenous compounds (virtually all synthetic nitrogen compounds are derived from ammonia), cleaners (clean glass, porcelain and stainless steel; cleaning ovens; soaking items to loosen baked-on grime), fermentation (as a source of nitrogen for microorganisms and to adjust pH during fermentation), plastics, fibers, explosives, intermediates for dyes and pharmaceuticals.

Production facility

Burrup Peninsula, WA

Export

Brasilia, Brazil