South African producer of nitric acid contributes to climate protection with Heraeus innovation

Conventional platinum gauze catalyst was further optimized

22-Aug-2007 - South Africa

Since early this year, the firm SASOL Nitro in South Africa has been using a newly developed multistage catalyst from the precious metals and technology group Heraeus for the selective destruction of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas, in two of its nitric acid production plants. With this catalyst technology, Sasol is making a contribution to climate protection. In July, it was listed as the first company in the world to participate in the Clean Development Program using secondary catalysts under the auspices of the Kyoto Protocol. The goal of the Kyoto Protocol is the global reduction of the gases responsible for climate change.

Large quantities of catalysts made of platinum alloys in the form of knitted gauzes of up to six meters in diameter are used in the manufacture of nitric acid in the chemical industry. However, the oxidation of ammonia also produces nitrous oxide (N2O) in a secondary reaction. Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas that is 310 times more harmful than carbon dioxide. In 2005, Heraeus developed a novel multistage catalyst that can reduce the production of nitrous oxide by up to 90% when ammonia is oxidized. The crucial feature of the innovation is a downstream secondary catalyst that specifically destroys the nitrous oxide produced. "Our consistent focus on innovation has enabled us to improve not only the efficiency of the time-tested platinum gauze catalyst but also to reinvent it with regard to environmental compatibility," points out Dr. Roland Gerner, Managing Director of the business segment W. C. Heraeus GmbH. "Besides the positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions, we are also substantially strengthening our competitiveness."

The long-term customer Sasol Nitro is one of the first companies to upgrade its nitric acid plants with the secondary catalyst from Heraeus. Not only does the environment benefit from the reduction of nitrous oxide but also the producer of nitric acid. Under the Kyoto Protocol, it can generate CO2 certificates in developing and emerging countries and profit from their sale. If the producer reduces one ton of nitrous oxide, it is credited with 310 CO2 certificates (based on the global warming potential compared with carbon dioxide). By selling these certificates to other companies, Sasol also profits financially from the upgrade.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/67750/south-african-producer-of-nitric-acid-contributes-to-climate-protection-with-heraeus-innovation.html