http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0031-8949/36/5/010/pdf

Surface science as the basis for the understanding of the catalytic synthesis of ammonia

The local x-ray spectral analysis method was used to investigate the phase composition and chemical composition of the oxidized and reduced phases of an industrial iron catalyst for the synthesis of ammonia, SA--1N, promoted by oxides of Al, K, Ca, Mg, and V. The formulas of the minerals forming the oxidized catalyst were determined. Migration paths of the promoting components during catalytic reduction were found. It was established that differences in the activity of individual samples are caused by a nonuniform chemical composition of the principal working phase. This is caused by an instability in the condition of industrial catalyst production.

L.D. Kuznetsov

Papers

Investigation of the phase composition of an SA-1N ammonia-synthesis catalyst by the local x-ray spectral analysis method