On the Effect of Flash Calcination Method on the Characteristics of Cobalt Catalysts for Ammonia Synthesis Process

Abstract The influence of precursor calcination method on the properties of the cerium and barium promoted cobalt catalysts for ammonia synthesis was investigated. Three methods of cobalt‐cerium hydroxycarbonates mixture heat treatment were studied – flash, static and semi‐static calcination processes, differing in duration as well as heat and mass transfer conditions. Their effect on catalyst structural parameters, morphology, crystal structure and activity was determined. It was proven that compared to other heat treatment methods flash calcination of CoCe hydroxycarbonate precursor resulted with a catalyst of superior structural parameters and the highest activity in ammonia synthesis. However, the incomplete precursor transformation and insufficient active and promoter phases crystallization during this process were indicated. In order to improve surface activity and optimise properties of the catalyst it was stated that modification of flash calcination conditions is required.