High-throughput technology for novel SO₂oxidation catalysts

Abstract

We review the state of the art and explain the need for better SO 2 oxidation catalysts for the production of sulfuric acid. A high-throughput technology has been developed for the study of potential catalysts in the oxidation of SO 2 to SO 3 . High-throughput methods are reviewed and the problems encountered with their adaptation to the corrosive conditions of SO 2 oxidation are described. We show that while emissivity-corrected infrared thermography (ecIRT) can be used for primary screening, it is prone to errors because of the large variations in the emissivity of the catalyst surface. UV-visible (UV-Vis) spectrometry was selected instead as a reliable analysis method of monitoring the SO 2 conversion. Installing plain sugar absorbents at reactor outlets proved valuable for the detection and quantitative removal of SO 3 from the product gas before the UV-Vis analysis. We also overview some elements used for prescreening and those remaining after the screening of the first catalyst generations.

Infrared Thermography as a High-Throughput Tool in Catalysis Research

“…6 Catalysts synthesized by flame spray pyrolysis have been investigated for their activity for hydrocarbon/NO xoxidation in 2009. 15 Recent ecIRT projects deal with hydrogenations 16,17 and hydrodesulfurization, SO 2 oxidation, 18 the oxidation of waste gases in the presence of methyl bromide 19 and the Deacon process. EcIRT has become part of the bachelor of chemistry education at the University of Saarland and is mediated in lectures and laboratory exercises.…”

“…XRF experiments confirmed that sulfatization of the materials, resulting in emissivity and temperature changes, were responsible for the temperature raise. 18 Reflections. Materials of high reflectivity, such as steel, can reflect IR radiation, which is detected by the camera.…”

A High-Throughput Screening Approach to Identify New Active and Long-Term Stable Catalysts for Total Oxidation of Methane from Gas-Fueled Lean–Burn Engines

“…An oxidation of other typical exhaust gas components like CO might give false positive results. Furthermore, side reactions between reaction components and sample material are known in literature, e.g., sulfur decomposition from mixed metal sulfides [60] or sulfatization of Cu with SO 2 [65]. Images can be taken in different atmospheres to test for this behaviour.…”

Search for New Catalysts for the Oxidation of SO2

“…The ecIRT method, its general applications, advantages and drawbacks were detailed in a recent review article . The technology developed as well as the applicability of the ecIRT method for investigation of SO 2 oxidation catalysis was already subject of another publication . Therefore most details of the technology applied here are given in ref .…”

“…Only for some niche applications other catalyst systems like noble metal based catalysts − or iron based catalysts (for high temperature processes) , are used or at least discussed. [For a more general overview regarding the current research efforts in sulfuric acid catalysis and the mechanism of the catalyzed SO 2 oxidation see the introduction of our review article from 2011 …”