The equation for the gas-phase synthesis of methanol is shown below:
CO(g)+2H2(g)⇌CH3OH(g) \text{CO}(\text{g}) + 2\text{H}_2(\text{g}) \rightleftharpoons \text{CH}_3\text{OH}(\text{g}) CO(g)+2H2(g)⇌CH3OH(g)The forward reaction is exothermic.
A chemical manufacturer wishes to produce methanol as economically and rapidly as possible.
Suggest, with explanations, the conditions of temperature, pressure, and the use of a catalyst that the manufacturer should choose to achieve an optimum balance between the rate of reaction, the equilibrium yield of methanol, and the overall cost of the process.
38 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Chemistry 5.2 Reversible reactions and equilibria, covering 5.2.1 Reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium, 5.2.2 The Haber process, and 5.2.3 Changing the position of a dynamic equilibrium. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.