Catalysts and Catalyst Supports

Making Chemical Reactions Feasible

Catalysts reduce the necessary activation energy for chemical reactions, thus speeding up the forward and reverse reactions equally. A catalyst optimizes the reaction mechanism but is not consumed in the process, remaining to be used for another reaction.

Applications and History

The stability of catalytic systems varies and will depend on the specific process they are being used in. Some can be used almost indefinitely, while others need to be renewed periodically. In general, catalysts do gradually lose activity with age.

Unintentionally, humans have been making use of catalytic effects since the dawn of time, in alcoholic fermentation, for example. A modern, scientific understanding of the phenomenon however, only dates back to 1835. Today, catalysts are an indispensable part of many industries that we rely upon daily. Catalysts not only help to make reactions processes economically feasible, they make reaction processes possible. Approximately 80% of all chemical industry products require catalysts at some point during production. Catalysts are an immensely important aspect of modern environmental protection, as they are used to treat exhaust gasses for motor vehicles, factories and power plants.

Requirements for Modern Catalysts

Currently, catalysts normally consist of an active component applied to a catalyst support. The activity of the catalyst depends on both components. Selecting the correct catalyst is a key factor in minimizing the formation of side products, reducing energy consumption and to improving process profitability. Choosing the correct catalysts for a particular reaction often requires specialized development work, bearing the specific reaction process in mind.

The challenges to be resolved in producing catalysts include how to achieve a fine and even dispersal of the active centers throughout the material and how to maximize the available binding surface for the reactants.

At IBU-tec, we draw on our decades of experience to assist you in the development and production of catalysts with the needed characteristics for your product. We supply catalysts and catalytic supports for every kind of application, from exhaust gas treatment to highly specialized industrial reactions.

Our varied rotary kilns and especially our pulsation reactors have proven to be very useful for catalyst production. If you need help developing or producing catalysts, please contact us. We'll be happy to support you.