Electrodynamic field effects in heterogeneous catalysis : ammonia synthesis

Abstract

The synthesis of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen was studied on a multi-promoted iron catalyst in a packed bed reactor under the influence of electrodynamic field. Two different experimental conditions were studied. In the first series of experimental runs, the reaction was carried out under constant temperature at 350°C, while the electrodynamic field conditions were varied. In the second series of runs, the electrodynamic field condition was held constant at a terminal potential difference of 700 volts, the reaction temperatures were varied. Enhancement of the catalytic activity due to the electrodynamic field effect has been observed. The rate of ammonia synthesis under constant temperature has been found to be a function of the dynamic field intensity as well as its frequency. At a terminal potential difference of 1,000 volts between the electrodes (the field intensity is between 196 and 5,900 volts per centimeter), a frequency of 600 cycles per second, and a reaction temperature of 350°C, the rate increase is 16^ higher than that of the neutral catalyst under otherwise Identical experimental conditions.