Q1: Which fertiliser is made (using coke oven gas) in by products plant of an integrated steel plant ?

ANS:C - Ammonium sulphate

The fertilizer made using coke oven gas in the by-products plant of an integrated steel plant is typically ammonium sulfate. Coke oven gas, a byproduct of the coking process in steelmaking, contains ammonia, which can be reacted with sulfuric acid to produce ammonium sulfate. This compound is a nitrogenous fertilizer commonly used in agriculture. So, the correct option is: Ammonium sulfate Ammonium sulfate (NH4)2SO4 is a nitrogenous fertilizer commonly used in agriculture. It is produced commercially through a chemical reaction between ammonia (NH3) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The resulting compound contains two ammonium ions (NH4+) and one sulfate ion (SO4^2-). Here's the chemical equation for the reaction: 2NH3 + H2SO4 → (NH4)2SO4 Ammonium sulfate is typically produced in two main steps:

1. Formation of Ammonium Bisulfate: In the first step, ammonia gas (NH3) is introduced into a reactor vessel containing sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The ammonia reacts with the sulfuric acid to form ammonium bisulfate [(NH4)HSO4] as an intermediate product.

𝑁𝐻3+𝐻2𝑆𝑂4→(𝑁𝐻4)𝐻𝑆𝑂4NH3​+H2​SO4​→(NH4​)HSO4​

2. Formation of Ammonium Sulfate: In the second step, additional ammonia is added to the reaction mixture to neutralize the excess sulfuric acid and form the final product, ammonium sulfate.

(𝑁𝐻4)𝐻𝑆𝑂4+𝑁𝐻3→(𝑁𝐻4)2𝑆𝑂4(NH4​)HSO4​+NH3​→(NH4​)2​SO4​ Ammonium sulfate is highly soluble in water, making it readily available to plants when applied to the soil. It provides a source of both nitrogen and sulfur, which are essential nutrients for plant growth and development. Nitrogen is a key component of chlorophyll, necessary for photosynthesis, while sulfur is involved in various metabolic processes and the formation of certain amino acids and proteins. Ammonium sulfate is often used as a nitrogen fertilizer for crops that require a readily available source of nitrogen, such as grasses, grains, and certain vegetables. It is particularly suitable for use on alkaline soils where other nitrogen fertilizers, such as urea, may undergo volatilization losses. Additionally, ammonium sulfate can lower soil pH over time due to its acidifying effect, which may benefit crops that prefer acidic growing conditions. Overall, ammonium sulfate is an important fertilizer that provides essential nutrients to plants, helping to improve crop yields and quality in agriculture.