Studies of Structured Catalytic Reactors

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The catalytic oxidation of ammonia over platinum or platinum-rhodium catalysts is a crucial reaction for both the manufacture of nitric acid and in the catalytic exhaust gas after treatment systems for lean burn engines (e.g. with Diesel and natural gas fuels). In the first application, the oxidation of NH3 to NO is typically carried out industrially using a gauze type catalyst, which is composed of an alloy of platinum and rhodium. Nitrous oxide is a byproduct of the ammonia oxidation process. Although it is not a toxic substance, especially at the levels released to the atmosphere in this process, it is nonetheless a strong greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential about 310 times that of carbon dioxide. Currently, to minimize emissions of N2O from ammonia oxidation reactors, an auxiliary catalyst may be added after the gauze layers5. This catalyst is often in the form of pellets or Rashig ring in shape. There is currently great interest in this process, especially in Alberta, where significant greenhouse gas emission credits can be claimed for N2O abatement. The objectives of this work are: