Catalysts for a cleaner environment

Journal Article · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Chemical Engineering

OSTI ID:110158

Pollution-abatement catalysts remain a challenging area for process development. That`s because the pollutants themselves often poison the catalysts, and the new catalytic processes are now required to capture pollutants from very dilute waste streams. A case in point in the US is how severely low-level emissions of halogenated hydrocarbons are regulated through Title III regulations on toxic compounds. While common oxidation catalysts may be quite effective at eliminating most VOC [volatile organic compound] emissions, the presence of halogenated hydrocarbons can adversely affect catalyst performance. Only recently have catalysts become available that will be effective at oxidizing the halogenated hydrocarbons. The items described below illustrate the variety and scope of recently introduced catalysts that have proved themselves by increasing yields and reducing emissions. The offerings include catalysts for: improving yield in the production of acrylic acid, ammonia, styrene, phthalic anhydride and alcohol; reducing the sulfur and aromatic content of fuels; curtailing byproduct production in fluid-catalytic cracking units; oxidizing emissions of chlorinated hydrocarbons; and reducing NOx in combustion gas using hydrogen or carbon monoxide.

• OSTI ID: 110158
• Journal Information: Chemical Engineering, Journal Name: Chemical Engineering Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 102; ISSN 0009-2460; ISSN CHEEA3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CATALYSTS
CHEMICAL REACTION YIELD
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
MINIMIZATION
OPTIMIZATION
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
POLLUTION CONTROL