The presence of foreign substances can have several adverse effects on catalytic processes:
- Deactivation: The most significant impact is the deactivation of the catalyst, reducing its efficiency and requiring more frequent regeneration or replacement. - Selectivity Loss: Foreign substances can alter the selectivity of the catalyst, leading to the formation of unwanted byproducts. - Structural Damage: Some contaminants can cause physical or chemical changes to the catalyst structure, leading to its breakdown. - Increased Costs: The need for additional purification steps, catalyst replacement, and process downtime can increase operational costs.
