INDUSTRIAL PREPARATION OF NITRIC ACID

On industrial scale HNO3 is prepared by the following three methods 1.Ostwald Method 2.Chilli-Sald Peter Method 3.Birkland-Eyde Method OSTWALD METHOD FOR MORE DETAILS CLICK HERE

Details of preparation Raw Materials: 1. Ammonia (NH3) 2. Oxygen(O2) 3. Water (H2O) Catalyst: Platinum gauze Steps of preparation 1. Primary Oxidation Oxidation of NH3 gas is carried out in a special chamber containing platinum gauge One part of NH3 gas and eight part of oxygen gas by volume are passed through the chamber at 600C where Nitric oxide is formed 4NH3 + 5O2 4NO+6H2O + Heat 2. Secondary Oxidation: Nitric oxide further oxidized into another chamber and it is converted into NO2 2NO+O2 2NO2 3. Absorption of NO2 NO2 is now introduced in absorption tower NO2 gas is passed through the tower and H2O is showered over it This converts NO2 into Nitric acid 3NO2+H2O 2HNO3+NO Concentration HNO3 attained its concentrated H2SO4 is used as dehydrating agent which absorbs extra H2O from HNO3