N2O Decomposition over Cu–Zn/γ–Al2O3 Catalysts

• Main Authors: Runhu Zhang, Chao Hua, Bingshuai Wang, Yan Jiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2016-12-01
• Series: Catalysts
• Subjects: N2O-decomposition; Cu–Zn/γ–Al2O3 catalysts; greenhouse gases; real industrial conditions
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/6/12/200

Cu–Zn/γ–Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by the impregnation method. Catalytic activity was evaluated for N2O decomposition in a fixed bed reactor. The fresh and used catalysts were characterized by several techniques such as BET surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Cu–Zn/γ–Al2O3 catalysts exhibit high activity and stability for N2O decomposition in mixtures simulating real gas from adipic acid production, containing N2O, O2, NO, CO2, and CO. Over the Cu–Zn/γ–Al2O3 catalysts, 100% of N2O conversion was obtained at about 601 °C at a gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 7200 h−1. Cu–Zn/γ–Al2O3 catalysts also exhibited considerably good durability, and no obvious activity loss was observed in the 100 h stability test. The Cu–Zn/γ–Al2O3 catalysts are promising for the abatement of this powerful greenhouse gas in the chemical industry, particularly in adipic acid production.