Carrier structure disintegration

The active phase of the Deacon catalyst is usually assumed to be a complex melt of copper or chromium and alkaline metal chlorides under reaction conditions, which is distributed within the pore network of an inert carrier [42]. Such supported liquid-phase catalysts (SLPC) are eminently suitable for adsorbing large amounts of the reacting components as sorption takes place in a bulk phase and is not restricted to only a limited number of suitable surface sites. The periodic expansion and contraction of the melt as a result of (de) sorption imposes considerable strains on the carrier structure hence, special mechanically robust support materials are needed to withstand such strains and prevent the catalyst crumbling away and disintegrating after a few cycles. In addition, even when it is immobilized on the carrier, the melt is extremely aggressive and resistant materials must be used for reactor construction. 

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