What Happens if Stoichiometric Ratios are Not Maintained?
If stoichiometric ratios are not maintained, several issues can arise. An excess of one reactant can lead to catalyst poisoning, where the catalyst becomes deactivated due to the accumulation of reactants or by-products on its surface. Conversely, a deficiency of a reactant can slow down the reaction rate and reduce the overall yield. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor and adjust the feed ratios in catalytic processes continuously.