Method of preparing ammonia and ammonia synthesis catalysts
AssigneeThe Standard Oil Company
InventorsLarry M. Cirjak, Richard P. Schmidt, Jr.
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Abstract
A process for producing ammonia comprising selecting a catalyst precursor characterized by the formula: A.sub.y M.sub.a [M'(CN).sub.c ].sub.b .multidot.n H.sub.2 O wherein A is an alkali or alkaline earth metal or mixture thereof; M is La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Sc, Lu and Y or mixtures; M' is a group VIII metal, preferably Fe, Co, Ni or Ru or mixtures; a=0.1 to 4; b=0.1 to 4; c=4 to 6; and provided that the catalyst is free or substantially free of Al or the combination of Al and U, activating the precursor by heating in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and pass N.sub.2 and H.sub.2 over the activated catalyst to produce ammonia.
Claims6
A process for producing ammonia comprising (1) selecting a catalyst precursor characterized by having the formula:
- A.sub.y M.sub.a [M'(CN).sub.c ].sub.b .multidot.nH.sub.2 O
- where
- y=0 to 4,
- a=0.1 to 4;
- c=4 to 6;
- b=0.1 to 4;
- n=0 to 30;
- A=alkali or alkaline earth metals or mixtures thereof;
- M=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Sc, Lu and Y or mixtures thereof;
- M'=Group VIII metals or mixtures thereof;
- wherein said precursor is substantially free of Al and the combination of Al and U, (2) slowly heating said catalyst precursor in a nonoxiding atmosphere to a temperature of between 275.degree. to 450.degree. C. to activate said precursor and (3) passing N.sub.2 and H.sub.2 over said activated catalyst at an elevated temperature and pressure to produce ammonia.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.