Catalyst Deactivation

Abstract

Ideally catalysts should last forever. In reality, they die with use, victims of many diseases that rob them of their ability to function. Some go quickly in a matter of minutes, others last for up to ten years, but ultimately they all succumb. Catalyst and process designers together can do much to prolong lifetime, but as one illness is cured the victim falls prey to another. In this chapter we examine the cause and effect of deactivation, with emphasis on catalyst modifications that prove effective in combating it. Only those features that are important in commercial processing are considered, and numerous review articles should be consulted for additional background.