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Nitric acid can be produced industrially using the process shown - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 26 - 2023 - Paper 1
Question 26
Nitric acid can be produced industrially using the process shown. A mixture of NO₂ and N₂O₄ enters Reactor 3, where only NO₂ is consumed by the reaction with water.... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Nitric acid can be produced industrially using the process shown - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 26 - 2023 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain, with respect to Le Chatelier’s principle, what happens to the N₂O₄.
Answer
The mixture of NO₂ and N₂O₄ exists as an equilibrium system in Reactor 2, represented by the equation:
When NO₂ is consumed in Reactor 3, this creates a decrease in the concentration of NO₂, which disturbs the equilibrium established in Reactor 2. According to Le Chatelier’s Principle, the system will respond to this change by shifting the position of equilibrium to counteract the depletion of NO₂. This will involve the decomposition of N₂O₄ to produce more NO₂. Ultimately, all of the N₂O₄ will decompose to form more NO₂.
Step 2
Explain TWO improvements that can be made to the design of the process shown.
Answer
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Recycle Water: The water produced at Separator 1 can be recycled and used in Reactor 3 as a reactant. This reduces waste and optimizes resource use, ensuring that water is not disposed of unnecessarily but rather utilized in the process.
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Heat Recovery: The heat released in the cooler/condenser after Reactor 1 can be recovered and used in subsequent stages of the process. This improvement can lead to a reduction in energy consumption, making the process more efficient and decreasing operational costs associated with heating.