Question

A company desires to produce nickel from refining nickel oxide and sulfide ores. The first step of the process will produce a nickel carbonyl gas Ni(CO)4 by heating the ore. The second step is as follows: Ni(CO)4(g) Ni(s) + 4CO(g) How would you accelerate the production of Ni?
Select all that apply.

reduce the concentration of NiCO4
increase the concentration of NiCO4
withdraw CO from the products as it is forming
adding CO to the reaction

Answer 1

Reduce the concentration of NICO4

Answer 2

Answer:

increase the concentration of NiCO4

withdraw CO from the products as it is forming

Explanation:

According to Le Chatelier's principle when a system at equilibrium is subjected to changes in temperature, pressure or concentration the equilibrium will shift in a direction to undo the effect of the induced change.

The given reaction is:

$Ni(CO)4(g)\rightleftharpoons  Ni(s) + 4CO(g)$

In order to increase the amount of Ni, two approaches can be adopted

1) Increasing the concentration of Ni(CO)4 will shift the equilibrium in a direction that would enhance its consumption i.e. towards the right

2) Withdrawing CO from the reaction will shift the equilibrium in a direction that would increase its production i.e. to the right