Question

Which of the following pairs are correctly matched here? (1) Solvay process, Manufacture of sodium carbonate (2) Baeyer process, Manufacture of sulphuric acid (3) Haber process, Manufacture of ammonia (4) Birkland-Eyde process, Manufacture of nitric acid Select the correct answer: (a) 1,2 and 4 (b) 1,3 and 4 (c) 2,3 and 4 (d) 2 and 3 only

Short answer

The correctly matched pairs are (1), (3), and (4), option (b) is correct.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Processes

We need to recognize each chemical process and what it manufactures: 1. The Solvay Process is used for the manufacture of sodium carbonate (also known as washing soda). 2. The Baeyer Process is associated with the production of alumina from bauxite, not sulphuric acid. 3. The Haber Process is known for synthesizing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gases. 4. The Birkeland-Eyde Process is involved in the production of nitric acid by using air and electrical arcs.

Matching Processes with Products

Let's match each process with its correct product: 1. Solvay Process correctly matches with the manufacture of sodium carbonate. 2. Baeyer Process incorrectly matches as it is not involved in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. 3. Haber Process correctly matches with the manufacture of ammonia. 4. Birkeland-Eyde Process correctly matches with the manufacture of nitric acid.

Identifying Correct Options

Based on the correct matches established: - Solvay Process with sodium carbonate (Option 1) - Haber Process with ammonia (Option 3) - Birkeland-Eyde Process with nitric acid (Option 4) Hence, options (1), (3), and (4) are correctly matched.

Selecting the Correct Answer

The sets of options that include the correct matches, (1), (3), and (4), are available under choice (b) as per the question asked.

Key concepts

Solvay Process

The Solvay Process is an industrial method for producing sodium carbonate (Na\(_2\)CO\(_3\)), commonly known as washing soda. This chemical is an important component in glassmaking, detergents, and paper industries. The process was developed in 1861 by Ernest Solvay and is still widely used today.
The process involves the reaction of sodium chloride (salt) with ammonia and carbon dioxide to produce sodium carbonate. It is performed in large towers known as Solvay towers. The primary reactions within the process are:

• Ammonia reacts with carbon dioxide and water to form ammonium bicarbonate.
• This ammonium bicarbonate then reacts with sodium chloride to produce sodium bicarbonate and ammonium chloride.
• Sodium bicarbonate is then heated (calcination) to produce sodium carbonate, releasing carbon dioxide and water.

It is an economical method as the ammonia is recycled and reused in the system, making it a sustainable process. Solvay's brilliance ensures efficient production while seeking to decrease wastage.

Haber Process

The Haber Process, also known as the Haber-Bosch Process, revolutionized agriculture by enabling the mass production of ammonia. Ammonia is a key ingredient in fertilizers, and this process significantly boosts crop yields. Developed by Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch in the early 1900s, it's a cornerstone of modern chemical engineering.
In the Haber Process, nitrogen (N\(_2\)) from the air is combined with hydrogen (H\(_2\)), typically derived from natural gas, under high pressure and temperature in the presence of a catalyst, usually iron:

• The reaction is given by: \(N_2(g) + 3 H_2(g) \rightarrow 2 NH_3(g)\)
• This process occurs at pressures around 200 atm and temperatures between 400–500 °C.
• A finely divided iron catalyst with promoters like potassium oxide increases the efficiency of the process.

The development of this process met the growing demands for food by making fertilizers more accessible and affordable, driving agricultural productivity.

Birkeland-Eyde Process

The Birkeland-Eyde Process is an early industrial technique for producing nitric acid by utilizing electricity to form oxides of nitrogen. Invented by Kristian Birkeland and Samuel Eyde in the early 20th century, it was pivotal in creating synthetic fertilizers and explosives before modern methods took over.
This process involves an electric arc furnace, where air, composed mostly of nitrogen, is passed through an electrical discharge. This reaction takes place:

• The electric arc causes nitrogen (N\(_2\)) and oxygen (O\(_2\)) in the air to form nitrogen monoxide (NO).
• Nitrogen monoxide then reacts with oxygen in the air to form nitrogen dioxide (NO\(_2\)).
• Dissolving nitrogen dioxide in water results in nitric acid (HNO\(_3\)) being formed.

Although the Birkeland-Eyde Process was gradually replaced by more energy-efficient methods, its contribution to industry was immense at the time, clearing pathways for robust industrial chemistry advancements.