[cobrasniper555]

Hello everyone! I've been interested in gas-phase/heterogeneous catalysis for a LONG time now, and interested in home chemistry even longer than that (rough estimate...8 years?). Anyhow, on to the problem.

I am looking for a good, reproducible catalyst support for heterogeneous catalysis. Previously, I have used activated carbon (easy to make with a little ingenuity). However, with my latest project this is not an option. My next project is the Haber process and therefore, I can not use carbon, or for that matter any hydrogenation synthesis (generation of methane). Also, the reactor materials change under such conditions as well. I'm using the ol' "gun barrel" method for the reactor, but now the catalyst is the next question. I know alumina is a very interesting support for this, but I would like options before anything else. Has anyone tried any luck with ceramic supports?

This post isn't in the chemical engineering forum because this is my home lab that I'm developing these machines.

Thank you,
Cobrasniper555

[curiouscat]

Alumina?

Silica?

Pumice is easy to work with too for impregnation.

[billnotgatez]

Well I am trying to understand what you are discussing so I am reading the links below

I run into this statement

The most popular catalysts are based on iron promoted with K2O, CaO, SiO2, and Al2O3

What do they mean by "promoted with"?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterogeneous_catalysis
Heterogeneous catalysis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haber_process
Haber process

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonia
Ammonia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonia_production
Ammonia production

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_production
Hydrogen production

[curiouscat]

Well I am trying to understand what you are discussing so I am reading the links below

I run into this statement

The most popular catalysts are based on iron promoted with K2O, CaO, SiO2, and Al2O3

What do they mean by "promoted with"?

Promoter is usually something added to a catalyst that enhances or modifies its activity. Typically its amount is small relative to the catalyst itself.

[Corribus]

I agree with curious.  Silica powder is probably a great place to start.  Just make sure you have proper ventilation or other appropriate PPE, because breathing the stuff in is not so healthy.  Really this goes for any fine particulate material.

[cobrasniper555]

I agree with curious.  Silica powder is probably a great place to start.  Just make sure you have proper ventilation or other appropriate PPE, because breathing the stuff in is not so healthy.  Really this goes for any fine particulate material.

Silica powder would require chemical vapor deposition, correct? I am all for producing my own "fancy" equipment and such but that just sounds like too much trouble. If this is truly the only route, then I will stick with alumina pressed prills or pellets.

Thank you!

[billnotgatez]

Potters use alumina and silica in powdered form

[curiouscat]

Silica powder would require chemical vapor deposition, correct?

Doubt it. Its a fairly common support. I bet it was used in the days CVD didn't even exist.