Despite its efficiency, the Haber-Bosch process operates under extreme conditions, which poses several challenges:
- Energy Consumption: The high pressure and temperature required consume large amounts of energy, contributing significantly to the process's overall carbon footprint. - Catalyst Deactivation: Over time, catalysts can become poisoned by impurities such as sulfur or sinter due to high temperatures, leading to loss of activity. - Optimization: Continuous research is necessary to develop catalysts that can operate at lower temperatures and pressures while maintaining high activity and selectivity.
