Which promoter is used in Haber’s process?

The Haber-Bosch process, which is used for the industrial production of ammonia (NH3), typically employs an iron catalyst and operates at high pressures and temperatures. In this process, the iron catalyst is often promoted or activated with small amounts of other substances to enhance its performance. Promoters are added to increase the efficiency of the catalyst and improve the rate of ammonia synthesis.

Common promoters used in the Haber-Bosch process include:

Potassium oxide (K2O): Potassium oxide is a well-known promoter used to enhance the catalytic activity of iron in ammonia synthesis.

Alumina (Al2O3): Alumina is sometimes added as a promoter to improve the catalytic properties of the iron catalyst.

Calcium oxide (CaO): Calcium oxide can also be used as a promoter in the Haber-Bosch process.

These promoters help to increase the yield of ammonia and improve the overall efficiency of the ammonia production process. They facilitate the adsorption and dissociation of nitrogen and hydrogen molecules on the catalyst surface, promoting the formation of ammonia. The choice of promoter and its concentration can vary depending on the specific conditions and requirements of the ammonia production plant.