Ammonia synthesis industry:Past,present and future——Retrospect,enlightenment and challenge from 100 years of ammonia synthesis industry

Ammonia synthesis industry founded by Haber-Bosch has achieved its history of 100 years.The huge success altered the history of food production in the world,and met the growing demand of food due to population increase.In addition,it established the solid foundation for the development of heterogeneous catalysis and chemical engineering.Catalytic ammonia synthesis technology has played a central role in the development of chemical industry during the 20th century.This paper reviews the discovery and enlightenment from foundation and development of ammonia synthesis industry,and presents its future and new challenges.There is close relationship between traditional ammonia industry and the emerging industries.To some extent,ammonia synthesis industry is the basis of these emerging industries because ammonia synthesis industry contains a series of high and new technologies.Similarly,new discoveries in the field of ammonia synthesis industry have been extended to other areas of industries.Therefore,the high and new technologies of ammonia synthesis have strong enlightenment and reference for understanding and improving the general and key technologies in a series of fields,such as modern chemical industry,energy,material science and environmental protection,especially for modern coal chemical industry.