What are the industrial applications of hydrogen in catalysis?
Hydrogen is widely used in various industrial processes. One significant application is the production of ammonia via the Haber-Bosch process, which uses iron-based catalysts. Another critical application is in the petroleum industry for hydrocracking, where heavy hydrocarbons are broken down into lighter, more valuable fractions like gasoline and diesel. Hydrogenation is also employed in the food industry to convert vegetable oils into solid fats, improving shelf life and texture.