What are Some Common Catalytic Processes for Pollution Reduction?
Several catalytic processes have been developed to tackle chemical pollutants. Some of the most notable ones include:
Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR): This process is widely used to reduce NOx emissions from industrial sources and vehicles. Ammonia or urea is used as a reducing agent to convert NOx into nitrogen and water. Three-Way Catalysts (TWC): These are used in automotive catalytic converters to simultaneously reduce CO, NOx, and hydrocarbons in exhaust gases. Oxidation Catalysts: These catalysts are used to oxidize pollutants like CO and VOCs into CO2 and H2O, which are less harmful. Photocatalysis: This involves the use of light-activated catalysts to degrade pollutants. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a common photocatalyst used to break down organic pollutants in air and water.
