HaberBoschszintézis

The Haber-Bosch process, also known as the Haber process or Bosch process, is a crucial industrial method for the synthesis of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen. Discovered by German chemist Fritz Haber in 1909 and later scaled up for industrial production by Carl Bosch, this process revolutionized agriculture and the chemical industry. Nitrogen gas, abundant in the Earth's atmosphere (approximately 78%), is reacted with hydrogen gas, typically derived from natural gas, under high temperatures (400-500 °C) and pressures (150-250 atmospheres) in the presence of an iron catalyst. The reaction is exothermic and reversible, meaning that the equilibrium can be shifted to favor ammonia production by removing the ammonia as it forms. The chemical equation for the process is N₂ + 3H₂ ⇌ 2NH₃. The ammonia produced is a vital component in the manufacturing of fertilizers, which significantly increased global food production capabilities by providing essential nitrogen for plant growth. It is also a key intermediate in the production of many other chemicals, including explosives, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. The Haber-Bosch process is considered one of the most important inventions of the 20th century due to its profound impact on human population growth and industrial development.