What Are the Common Causes of Physical Degradation?
Several factors can lead to the physical degradation of catalysts:
1. Thermal Stress: High temperatures can cause sintering, where catalyst particles agglomerate, leading to a reduction in surface area and active sites. 2. Mechanical Wear: Physical abrasion and friction can wear down the catalyst, especially in fluidized bed reactors. 3. Phase Changes: Catalysts can undergo phase transformations under certain conditions, leading to structural instability. 4. Chemical Interactions: Reactions with impurities or reactants can lead to the formation of unwanted compounds that may deposit on the catalyst surface, blocking active sites.
