From Chemistry to Philosophy: The Way of Alwin Mittasch (1869-1953)

From the Birkeland–Eyde process towards energy-efficient plasma-based NOX synthesis: a techno-economic analysis

“…In 1908, Haber and Le Rossignol demonstrated the feasibility of direct synthesis of 2 kg-NH 3 day −1 from N 2 and H 2 with a table top system operating at 500–550 °C and 100–200 atm, in the presence of an osmium catalyst. 1 In the following years, Mittasch and co-workers developed the multicomponent iron catalyst, a less poisonous and more abundant material, as an alternative to osmium for NH 3 synthesis, 20,21 while Bosch and co-workers solved engineering challenges regarding the operation with H 2 at high pressures. 22 In 1913, the first ammonia synthesis plant started operating according to the H–B process at BASF in Oppau, Ludwigshafen.…”

“… 22 In 1913, the first ammonia synthesis plant started operating according to the H–B process at BASF in Oppau, Ludwigshafen. 20 Nowadays, the H–B process starting from methane consumes about 0.5–0.6 MJ mol N −1 . This is the total energy content of the feed methane, of which about two third is transformed into hydrogen, while the remainder is used for heating during the steam methane reforming section for H 2 production, as discussed below.…”

Plasma-driven catalysis: green ammonia synthesis with intermittent electricity

“…In the 1910s, Mittasch et al 38,39 put a tremendous effort into finding a suitable catalyst for ammonia synthesis by scanning a large part of the periodic table and mixtures thereof. Only decades later, it was consolidated that the binding strength of nitrogen is a descriptor for ammonia synthesis activity.…”

Development of the Science of Catalysis

“…One of Haber's novel concepts was to use a process in which the unconverted hydrogen and nitrogen, after removal by condensation of the ammonia produced, were recycled to the reactor. In this connection, Haber introduced the concept of ''space-time-yield'' [90]. Even so, Haber's studies would only have resulted in a victory for ego and academics if he had not been able to interest BASF in the process.…”

“…While concepts were utilized by Mittasch, the investigations were systematic and extensive. During about a two-year period, 6500 experiments with about 2500 different catalysts were conducted [90], truly an example of Edisonian research. A magnetite sample from Sweden proved to be a surprisingly active catalyst and, because of its relative high density, the concept of ''compact while porous'' developed, but was subsequently proved to be wrong.…”