Novel catalysts and catalytic technologies for N2O removal from industrial emissions containing O2, H2O and SO2

The catalytic behavior and some aspects of the development of novel catalysts for N2O decomposition (rhodium-on-zirconia based catalysts) or selective reduction with propane (Fe/ZSM-5 type catalysts) in the presence of the typical gas phase components of industrial emissions containing N2O in concentrations below 0.1% are discussed. In particular: (i) the possibility to improve the catalytic reactivity of rhodium-on-zirconia based catalysts by modification of the zirconia support with lanthanide ions or other dopants; (ii) the stability of the catalytic behavior of these samples in the presence or absence of SO2; and (iii) some characteristics and the stability behavior of Fe/ZSM-5 catalysts in the presence of SO2 for the reduction of N2O with propane/O-2 are reported. The catalytic technologies of decomposition and selective reduction of N2O are compared in terms of economics of the processes and type of emissions for which they are preferably suited. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.