The water gas shift reaction, also known as the Bosch reaction, is an important industrial process that produces hydrogen gas. The reaction involves the conversion of carbon monoxide and water vapor into carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas.

The chemical equation for the water gas shift reaction is as follows:

CO + H2O → CO2 + H2

The products of this reaction are carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas. The reaction is exothermic and typically occurs at high temperatures, typically between 350°C and 450°C, and high pressures of around 20 to 30 bar.

Explanation:

The water gas shift reaction is widely used in the chemical industry to produce hydrogen gas, which is used as a feedstock for a variety of chemical processes. The reaction is typically carried out in a fixed-bed reactor, where a mixture of carbon monoxide and water vapor is passed over a catalyst.

The catalyst used in the water gas shift reaction is typically a metal oxide, such as iron oxide or chromium oxide, supported on a high surface area material like alumina. The catalyst promotes the reaction by providing a surface for the reactants to adsorb onto and by lowering the activation energy of the reaction.

During the water gas shift reaction, carbon monoxide is oxidized by water vapor to produce carbon dioxide, while water vapor is reduced to hydrogen gas. The reaction is highly exothermic, meaning that it releases a large amount of heat. The heat generated by the reaction is typically used to drive other chemical processes or to generate steam for use in power generation.

In summary, the products of the water gas shift reaction are carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas. This reaction is an important industrial process for the production of hydrogen gas, which is used as a feedstock for many chemical processes.