6.1.4

Catalysts in Industry

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Catalysts in Industry

Catalysts are popular in industry for many reasons. But, there are disadvantages to using catalysts.

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Advantage - cost-effective

  • Despite the fact that some catalysts are expensive precious metals (e.g. platinum and palladium), they are often cost-effective to use.
    • This is because a small amount can speed up a reaction by a lot. It may be cheaper to pay for the catalyst at the start and increase the rate of reaction after that.
    • Paying for a catalyst may be cheaper than paying for the energy needed to increase either temperature or pressure.
Illustrative background for Advantage - reduced burning of fossil fuelsIllustrative background for Advantage - reduced burning of fossil fuels ?? "content

Advantage - reduced burning of fossil fuels

  • By reducing the necessary temperatures and/or pressures, fewer fossil fuels need to be burned.
    • This means that we can reduce our negative environmental impact.
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Disadvantage - toxicity

  • But, many catalysts are toxic (e.g. transition metals), and these can escape into the environment and contaminate ecosystems.

Jump to other topics

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10Using Resources

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