The presence of fouling agents can lead to several detrimental effects on catalysts:
Deactivation: The catalyst loses its activity, reducing the reaction rate. Selectivity Loss: The catalyst becomes less selective towards the desired product, leading to unwanted by-products. Pressure Drop: Accumulated fouling agents can increase pressure drop across the catalyst bed, impacting process efficiency. Thermal Effects: Fouling can lead to hot spots or uneven temperature distribution, affecting reaction kinetics.