MChem Master of Chemistry Master of Chemistry: Industrial Chemistry 2

Question 1

Which catalyst is used in the industrial Haber-Bosch process for ammonia synthesis?

Accepted Answer

Iron with potassium and aluminum oxide promoters

Answer

The Haber-Bosch process uses an iron catalyst promoted with K2O (electronic promoter) and Al2O3 (structural promoter).

Question 2

In the Contact Process for sulfuric acid production, what is the role of vanadium pentoxide (V2O5)?

Accepted Answer

It catalyzes the oxidation of SO2 to SO3

Answer

V2O5 catalyzes the key step SO2 + ½O2 → SO3 by cycling between V5+ and V4+ oxidation states.

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of a heat exchanger network in an industrial chemical plant?

Accepted Answer

To recover and reuse thermal energy between process streams

Answer

Heat exchanger networks use hot process streams to preheat cold ones, minimizing external utility consumption through energy integration.

Question 4

Which phenomenon describes the minimum temperature difference between hot and cold streams in a heat exchanger network?

Accepted Answer

Pinch temperature

Answer

The pinch temperature (or pinch point) is the minimum driving force ΔTmin that constrains the thermodynamic feasibility of heat integration.

Question 5

In distillation column design, what does the McCabe-Thiele method graphically determine?

Accepted Answer

Number of theoretical stages required for a separation

Answer

The McCabe-Thiele method uses operating lines and an equilibrium curve on a y-x diagram to step off the number of theoretical stages.

MChem Master of Chemistry Practice Test