ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses gas-phase catalytic reactions and the qualitative reasons for resorting to pressure and the problems that are encountered and compensated for when pressure is applied in a chemical catalytic reaction. Ammonia synthesis typifies and embodies most of the features that must be considered in a catalytic gas-phase reaction practiced in a wide range of plant capacities. The chapter considers the effects of relatively low pressures and temperatures applied in today’s chemical plant. The most obvious reason for carefully weighing the application of high pressure to an operation is the added cost of the facilities. The chapter is concerned with liquid-phase reactions, and discusses the description of each reaction and the temperature, pressure, and other conditions necessary to effect these economically. Liquid-phase processes limit the amount of oxygen which contacts the organic system, making possible increased control of heat of reaction and of conversions.
