Catalysis Today, Vol.75, No.1-4, 227-232, 2002
Selective catalytic reduction of N2O and NOx in a single reactor in the nitric acid industry
The nitric acid industry is a source of both NOx and N2O. The simultaneous selective catalytic reduction of both compounds using propane as a reductant has been investigated. A stacked catalyst bed with first a Co-ZSM-5 catalyst and second a Pd/Fe-ZSM-5 catalyst gives >80% conversion of N2O and NO, above 300 C at atmospheric pressure. At 4 bar absolute pressure (bara) the Co-ZSM-5 DeNO(x) catalyst shows higher NO, and propane conversion. This leaves not enough propane for the Pd/Fe-ZSM-5 DeN(2)O catalyst, which causes a `dip' in N2O conversion. Reducing the space velocity (SV) of the first catalyst bed secures high NOx, and N2O conversions from 300 degreesC and up at 4 bara.