ASSIGNMENT OF PHYSICAL

CHEMISTRY PAPER III

TOPIC: CATALYST
DEACTIVATION
SUBMITTED TO : DR. SHAGUFTA

SUBMITTED BY : ASMA RAMZAN

ROLL NO. :01
BS CHEMISTRY
8th SEMESTER (MORNING)
 CATALYST DEACTIVATION:
Catalyst deactivation is defined as a loss in catalytic activity and/or
selectivity over time.
Mechanisms for catalyst deactivation include:
 Sintering
 Fouling
 Coking
 Solid-state transformation
 Erosion

 Sintering:
When heated, dispersed catalytic metal particles can migrate
across the support surface and form crystals. This results in a
reduction of catalyst surface area.

Heat and compaction fuse small particles into dense bulk

Catalyst sintering can be avoided by controlling the temperature of the burn front

during the catalyst regeneration process. If the temperature gets too high, there can
be localized sintering of the base, causing a loss of surface area.

 Fouling:
 The deposition of materials from the fluid phase onto the solid
phase catalyst and/or support surfaces. This results in active site
and/or pore blockage.

Heat Exchanger in a steam power plant, fouled by macro fouling

 Coking:
Coking is the heating of coal in the absence of oxygen to a
temperature above 600 °C to drive off the volatile components of
the raw coal, leaving a hard, strong, porous material of
high carbon content called coke. Coke consists almost entirely
of hydrocarbons. The deposition of heavy, carbon-rich solids onto
surfaces due to the decomposition of hydrocarbons.

Coke [fuel]

 Solid-state transformation:
Solid-state diffusion of catalyst support atoms to the surface
followed by a reaction that forms an inactive phase. This results in
a loss of catalyst surface area.
 Erosion:
Continual attrition of catalyst material common in fluidized-bed
reactors. This results in a loss of catalyst material.