What Are Common Causes of System Failures in Catalysis?
System failures in catalysis can result from various factors. One common issue is catalyst deactivation, which can occur due to poisoning, fouling, thermal degradation, or sintering. Poisoning happens when impurities bind to the active sites of the catalyst, rendering them inactive. Fouling occurs when by-products accumulate on the catalyst surface, blocking active sites. Thermal degradation and sintering involve the loss of catalytic activity due to high temperatures causing structural changes. Mechanical failures, such as reactor malfunctions or improper catalyst handling, can also lead to system failures.
