Which of the following is being used as a source of hydrogen gas needed to manufacture fertilisers?

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natural gas

petroleum gas

coal gas

biogas

answer is A.

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Detailed Solution

The main source of hydrogen gas used in the manufacture of fertilizers (especially ammonia in the Haber process) is natural gas (methane, CH₄).

Explanation:

Process:
Hydrogen is primarily obtained through steam reforming of methane:
$CH₄ + H₂O \; \xrightarrow{Ni} \; CO + 3H₂$ $CH$ $4$ $$ $+$ $H$ $2$ $$ $O$ $Ni$ $$ $CO$ $+$ $3$ $H$ $2$ $$
Followed by the water-gas shift reaction:
$CO + H₂O \;\; \to \;\; CO₂ + H₂$ $CO$ $+$ $H$ $2$ $$ $O$ $\to$ $CO$ $2$ $$ $+$ $H$ $2$
$$
Reason:
- Methane is abundant and cost-effective.
- Produces large quantities of H₂ with high efficiency.
Use in fertilizers:
The hydrogen obtained is then reacted with nitrogen (from air) in the Haber–Bosch process to produce ammonia (NH₃), which is the precursor for many nitrogen fertilizers like urea and ammonium nitrate.