What are the Limitations of Increasing Catalyst Concentration?
While increasing the catalyst concentration can enhance the reaction rate, there are practical and theoretical limits to this approach. Some of the limitations include:
Catalyst Deactivation: Higher concentrations can lead to faster deactivation due to poisoning, sintering, or coking. Mass Transfer Limitations: At very high concentrations, diffusion limitations can occur, reducing the efficiency of the catalyst. Economic Factors: Catalysts, especially noble metals, can be expensive. Using higher concentrations may not be economically feasible. Side Reactions: Higher concentrations can sometimes promote unwanted side reactions, reducing the selectivity for the desired product.
