Microwave-enhanced catalytic ammonia synthesis under moderate pressure and temperature

In this study, an alternative approach based on microwave-enhanced ammonia synthesis for Haber-Bosch process was carried out under moderate pressure of 0.1-0.65 MPa and temperature range of 280-400 degrees C over a stable CsRu/CeO2 catalyst. The ammonia production rate is significantly improved under microwave conditions. At 0.65 MPa and 320 degrees C, maximum ammonia production rate was achieved at H-2/N-2 ratio of 1/1. Stable performance was obtained in a 6-cycles of startup-shutdown operation for cumulative on-line time of 80 h. The work demonstrates the potential of microwave catalytic technology for the distributed ammonia synthesis using renewable power having intermittent nature of energy supply.