Catalysts for Oxidation of Ammonia to Oxides of Nitrogen

Abstract

In determining the economic value of a catalyst, it is necessary to consider all factors-namely, loss of metal, conversion efficiency, and capacity-under the actual conditions of commercial operation. Thus an alloy which shows extremely high conversion efficiency may be entirely uneconomical because of the high loss of metal which is incurred under the conditions necessary to obtain high conversion efficiency. Platinum-rhodium alloys, however, have been found to give a low loss of metal and high capacity under the operating conditions required for the maintenance of high conversion efficiency. Consequently, the pure platinum-rhodium alloys containing 5 to 10 per cent rhodium are the most advantageous and economical of any thus far proposed. © 1934, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.