Monitoring and Management > 2. Maximising Production >
Explain why the Haber process is based on a delicate balancing act involving reaction energy, reaction rate and equilibrium
- A high rate of reaction and a high yield are both desirable in the Haber process.
- Both the rate of reaction and the yield are dependant on temperature.
- As temperature increases, the rate of reaction increases while the yield decreases, and vice versa.
- Thus, a moderate compromise temperature is required that will balance competing demands of reaction rate and yield, allowing as much ammonia as possible to be produced in the shortest time.
- Temperatures for the reaction are typically in the range of 400°C to 500°C.