Chemical engineering

Table of Contents

1. Chemical engineering
2. Equilibrium yield
3. Industrial processes
4. Multi-step processes
5. Choosing the best conditions
6. Gases in reactions
7. Using the ideal gas law
8. Use of solvents in industry
9. Solutions and concentrations
10. The ammonia industry
11. The treatment of nickel ores

1. Additional resources:
   1. Glossary
   2. Print content

The ammonia industry

The chemical ammonium nitrate is used as a fertiliser, and also as an explosive, especially in the mineral resources industry. It is produced by the CSBP company in Kwinana, Western Australia from ammonia produced on the same site. The ammonia can be converted into Nitric acid, and ammonium nitrate is produced by combining these two products in a neutralisation reaction. These processes are summarised in the flow chart below.

In this activity, you will apply an understanding of chemical reactions and equilibrium to this industry. This should enable you to demonstrate how the principles of chemical engineering can be applied to a process in order to maximise production and minimise waste.