Explain the manufacture of nitric acid by Ostwald's process with well labeled diagram ?

The Ostwald process is a chemical process that converts ammonia into nitric acid in two stages. First, ammonia is oxidized for forming nitric oxide and nitric oxide, and secondly, nitrogen dioxide dissolves in water and eventually form nitric acid.

Principle

1. Ammonia is oxidized to nitric oxide in the presence of air at 800°the catalyst platinum gauze or a rhodium-platinum alloy. 4NH₃ + 50₂ =4NO + 6H₂O + Heat
2. Nitric oxide formed is cooled down and allowed to come into contact with air and it gets oxidized to nitrogen dioxide. 2NO +0₂ =2N0₂
3. Nitric acid is generate when nitrogen dioxide is dissolved in water in presence of air. 4NO₂ + 2H₂O +0₂ = 4HNO₃

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Explanation

The mixture of ammonia and air is passed to converter which contains platinum gauge at 800°C and here NH, is oxidized to nitric oxide. This nitric oxide is passed to oxidation chamber through cooler where it oxidizes to nitrogen dioxide. The nitrogen dioxides from oxidation tower are passed through absorption tower which is packed with acid-proof stone or quartz. The nitrogen dioxide comes into contact with water and air and gets dissolved to form nitric acid which is collected at the foot of the tower in the receiver.

Uses of nitric acid

The use of nitric acid are mention below :

1. It is used for production of ammonia nitrate.
2. It is use for major component of chemical fertilizer.
3. It is also used for producing explosive like nitroglycerin and trinitrotoluene for oxidizing metal.
4. It is highly soluble in water and use for the different laboratory preparation of other acid .