The course will introduce the processes involved in catalyst activation and deactivation. Topics to be covered will include activation from lab scale to plant examining reduction sulphidation and reduction by process gas. Also covered will be catalyst poisoning, sintering and coking. The underlying chemistry of activation and deactivation will be discussed and the complexity involved in mathematically modelling the deactivation process will be explored.

One-week course with tutorial component delivered fortnightly throughout semester 2.

None

none

written exam (100%), 3 questions from a choice of 4

The aim of this course is to determine the changes in the nature and properties of a catalyst which typically occur during its lifetime under process conditions, specifically referencing activation and deactivation.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Evaluate methods of catalyst activation for any specific catalyst

2. Formulate a methodology to activate a catalyst

3. Distinguish between different types of catalyst deactivation

4. Assess the main causes of catalyst deactivation

5. Compare and contrast how each method of deactivation could affect catalyst activity and selectivity.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.