Despite the importance, inspecting catalysts poses several challenges:
1. Accessibility: Catalysts are often housed in reactors that operate under high pressure and temperature, making direct inspection difficult. 2. Non-Destructive Testing: It's crucial to perform inspections without damaging the catalyst. Techniques like XRD and spectroscopy are preferred for this reason. 3. Data Interpretation: The data obtained from various inspection techniques can be complex and require expert analysis to draw meaningful conclusions. 4. Cost: High-tech inspection methods can be costly, making frequent inspections economically challenging.