Catalysts Supported by Porous Ceramic Layers on Ceramic or Metallic Substrates

Abstract

ABSTRACTAfter mentioning the need for integration of the catalyst and the catalytic reactor, it is argued that thin (thickness up to about 50 μm) porous layers applied on ceramic or metallic surfaces are presenting interesting possibilities for the development of new catalytic reactors. The first type of reactions that can benefit from the new reactors are liquid-phase reactions catalyzed by a solid. Especially the selectivity of the reactions can be significantly improved. The second type of reactions are gas-phase reactions with a large thermal effect. It is argued that the rate of transport of thermal energy can be greatly improved by using sintered metal bodies within the reactor coated with highly porous ceramic layers. Finally utilization of thin ceramic porous layers in separations combined with catalytic reactions is shortly dealt with.A very efficient procedure for application of the porous ceramic layers is presented, viz., pyro-lysis of thin layer of silicone rubber or analogous compounds. Addition of, e.g., aluminum or titanium ions can be used to control the thermostability and the pore-size distribution of the layers resulting after combustion of the organic constituents.