New Catalyst Technology Tackles N2O
Platinum gauze catalyst for nitric acid manufacture and catalyst pellets for the abatement of nitrous oxide from nitric acid plants.
Nitric acid is used around the world in the production of nitrogen fertilisers that provide an important source of plant nutrients and thus play a vital role in feeding the world’s population. Nitric acid is also used in the manufacture of polymers, artificial fibres such as Nylon, dyestuffs and explosives.
Johnson Matthey is the global market leader in the supply of platinum alloy catalysts used to manufacture nitric acid. Our catalysts are highly efficient, typically achieving 92 to over 98% conversion to nitric acid. However, during the process there is a side reaction that leads to the formation of small amounts of nitrous oxide (N2O).
N2O – commonly known as laughing gas – is one of the greenhouse gases recognised by the Kyoto agreement and targeted for major reduction in its emissions. It has a global warming factor of 310, making one tonne of N2O 310 times more harmful to the atmosphere than one tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2). It is estimated that, around the world, the nitric acid industry is responsible for the generation of N2O equivalent to around 125 million tonnes of CO2 being released to the atmosphere each year.
Johnson Matthey, together with its partners Yara International and N.serve Environmental GmbH, has new catalyst technology which can reduce N2O emissions from nitric acid plants by over 90%. This new technology offers nitric acid plant operators a significant environmental benefit. It can also bring financial benefits as incentives (through a carbon trading mechanism) are provided through the Kyoto Agreement for plant operators to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
To date, Johnson Matthey has implemented this catalyst technology for N2O abatement in 15 nitric acid plants in seven countries. We expect this to increase to more than 45 plants by the end of 2008, representing over 50% of the available secondary N2O abatement market. In total, these projects will result in the reduction of N2O emissions equivalent to approximately 15 million tonnes CO2 per annum.
As more and more countries around the world seek to tackle N2O emissions, Johnson Matthey is well positioned to play a leading role in providing the solution to this major environmental issue.
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