ConceptConceptDocsDocuments

Edexcel IAL Chemistry 9.7 Sustainable industrial catalysis

Link the catalyst to a lower workable temperature and energy demand, then weigh any process-specific by-product, atom-economy or material disadvantage stated.

Syllabus
First assessment 2019
Course
Chemistry YCH11
Level
AS

Exam points

  • Explain that a catalyst permits a lower temperature and therefore less energy or fuel use.
  • Evaluate a catalysed route using useful by-products, atom economy and operating temperature.

9.7—The use of catalysts in industry to make processes more sustainable by using less energy and/or higher atom economy question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

Ammonium nitrate, NH4NO3\mathrm{NH}_{4} \mathrm{NO}_{3}, is used in the manufacture of fertilisers and explosives. It is produced on a large scale using only methane, water and air.
The process has four stages.

The reaction in Stage 2 has an activation energy, Ecat =+70 kJ mol−1E_{\text {cat }}=+70 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}.

The uncatalysed reaction between N2\mathrm{N}_{2} and H2\mathrm{H}_{2} has an activation energy, Ea=+290 kJ mol−1E_{\mathrm{a}}=+290 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}.

Suggest why the use of the catalyst makes Stage 2 more sustainable.

All question bank results loaded