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Ostwald process

The Ostwald process is a commercial process, invented by Wilhelm Ostwald, used to produce nitric acid. Ammonia is heated with a catalyst (platinum) to form nitric oxide that is then oxidized to yield nitrogen dioxide, which in turn reacts with water to yield nitric acid and nitric oxide:

2 NH₃ + 4 O₂ --> 2 NO + 3 H₂O

2 NO + O₂ --> NO₂

2 NO₂ + 1/2 O₂ + H₂O --> 2 HNO_3(aq)

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