Catalytic ammonia decomposition over industrial-waste-supported Ru catalysts

Environ Sci Technol. 2007 May 15;41(10):3758-62. doi: 10.1021/es062326z.

Abstract

Industrial solid wastes (fly ash and red mud) have been employed as supports for preparation of Ru-based catalysts. Physical and chemical treatments on red mud were conducted and these modified supports were also used for preparation of Ru-based catalysts. Those Ru catalysts were characterized by various techniques such as N2 adsorption, H2 adsorption, XRD, XPS, and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), and were then tested for catalytic ammonia decomposition to hydrogen. It was found that red-mud-supported Ru catalyst exhibits higher ammonia conversion and hydrogen production than fly-ash-supported catalyst. Heat and chemical treatments of the red mud greatly improve the catalytic activity. Moreover, a combination of acid and heat treatments produces the highest catalytic conversion of ammonia.

MeSH terms

  • Ammonia / chemistry*
  • Carbon / chemistry
  • Catalysis
  • Coal Ash
  • Industrial Waste*
  • Particulate Matter / chemistry
  • Ruthenium / chemistry*
  • Soil
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Coal Ash
  • Industrial Waste
  • Particulate Matter
  • Soil
  • Carbon
  • Ammonia
  • Ruthenium