Catalysts reduce energy consumption in various ways:
Lower Activation Energy: Catalysts provide a pathway with a lower activation energy for the reaction, allowing it to proceed at lower temperatures. Selective Reactions: Catalysts can be designed to be highly selective, minimizing side reactions and reducing waste, which in turn saves energy. Increased Reaction Rates: Faster reaction rates mean that processes can be completed more quickly, reducing the time and energy required for production. Operational Efficiency: Catalysts can enable continuous processes rather than batch processes, leading to more efficient use of energy.