Structured Catalytic Reactors for Selective Oxidations

Gianpiero GROPPI, Alessandra BERETTA and Enrico TRONCONP 

This chapter reviews the application of honeycomb monoliths, open-cell foams (also known as sponges) and other structured catalysts to gas/phase selective oxidation processes. 

In comparison to monoliths, applications of open-celled foam structures to the chemical process industry are still at an earlier developmental stage. We report fundamental and applied investigations demonstrating opportunities for the implementation of foam catalysts in the same two main areas of millisecond contact time processes, and of fixed-bed reactors with enhanced heat management. 

For many years, honeycomb monoliths have been the standard catalyst shape in most applications of environmental catalysis. On the other hand, exploration of 

Gianpiero Gmppi, Alessandro Beretta and Enrico Tronconi 

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