There are several reasons for energy inefficiency in catalysis:
Heat Loss: In many catalytic processes, a significant amount of energy is lost as heat to the surroundings. Mass Transfer Limitations: Poor mass transfer between phases (e.g., gas and liquid) can result in inefficiencies. Suboptimal Catalyst Performance: Catalysts can degrade over time or may not be optimized for specific reactions, leading to reduced efficiency. Reaction Conditions: Non-ideal reaction conditions such as temperature and pressure can also contribute to energy inefficiencies.