What are Some Successful Examples of Industrial Catalysis?
Several catalytic processes have been successfully scaled up through industrial trials, including:
- Haber-Bosch Process: This process synthesizes ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen using an iron-based catalyst. It is a cornerstone of modern agriculture due to its role in fertilizer production. - Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC): In the petroleum industry, FCC is used to break down large hydrocarbon molecules into gasoline and other valuable products using zeolite catalysts. - Hydroformylation: This process produces aldehydes from alkenes and synthesis gas using rhodium or cobalt catalysts, which are essential intermediates in the production of plasticizers and detergents.
