Method for regenerating catalyst for decomposing nitrous oxide and method for decomposing nitrous oxide

Abstract

To provide a method for regenerating a catalyst for nitrous oxide decomposition that is capable of efficiently regenerating a deactivated catalyst for nitrous oxide decomposition; and a method for decomposing nitrous oxide using a regenerated catalyst for nitrous oxide decomposition regenerated by the regeneration method.SOLUTION: A method for regenerating a catalyst for nitrous oxide decomposition comprises: a step for subjecting a catalyst for nitrous oxide decomposition in which a component containing at least one selected from the group consisting of ruthenium and ruthenium compounds is carried by a carrier including titanium oxide and that has been used in a nitrous oxide decomposition reaction, to a heat treatment at a temperature of 175-325°C in an atmosphere of an acidic gas. A method for decomposing nitrous oxide comprises: a step for bringing a catalyst for nitrous oxide decomposition regenerated by the regeneration method into contact with a nitrous oxide-containing gas that contains nitrous oxide.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for regenerating a catalyst for decomposing nitrous oxide and a method for decomposing nitrous oxide. [Background technology]

[0002] From the perspective of protecting the global environment and preventing air pollution, nitrogen oxides (NOx) in exhaust gases have become a problem, and their emissions are being strictly regulated. The nitrogen oxides that are particularly subject to emission regulations are nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which is harmful to humans and is believed to cause photochemical smog and acid rain. Various denitrification technologies have been developed and implemented to reduce emissions. However, nitrous oxide (NO2), a type of nitrogen oxide, is not currently subject to emission regulations and is typically released directly into the atmosphere. In fact, gases emitted from chemical manufacturing plants, such as nitric acid, epsilon-caprolactam, and adipic acid plants, undergo denitrification treatment to remove nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide, but the by-product nitrous oxide is often released into the atmosphere without being decomposed.

[0003] However, when greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide are released into the atmosphere, the greenhouse effect of the atmosphere increases due to an increase in greenhouse gas concentration, which is thought to be a cause of global warming. Nitrous oxide is said to have a warming effect approximately 300 times greater than that of carbon dioxide. Therefore, in recent years, there has been growing interest in reducing atmospheric emissions of nitrous oxide, along with carbon dioxide and methane. With growing awareness of sustainable environmental conservation, it is expected that nitrous oxide will be subject to emission control in the near future. Therefore, there is a need for technologies that decompose and remove nitrous oxide from exhaust gases to reduce its emissions into the atmosphere. Patent Document 1, for example, describes a nitrous oxide decomposition method that uses a catalyst carrying at least one noble metal selected from ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), palladium (Pd), rhenium (Re), osmium (Os), iridium (Ir), and platinum (Pt) to catalytically decompose a gas containing nitrous oxide in the presence of a reducing gas. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 06-218232 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Catalysts used to decompose nitrous oxide (nitrous oxide decomposition catalysts) lose catalytic activity with use, resulting in a decrease in the efficiency of nitrous oxide decomposition. Therefore, catalysts that have been deactivated to a certain level are replaced with new catalysts and discarded. Disposal of deactivated catalysts increases the cost of decomposing nitrous oxide, and reducing the amount of waste is also important from the perspective of protecting the global environment. Furthermore, if nitrous oxide becomes a target of emission control gases in the future, demand for catalysts is expected to increase. However, compared to other metals, the underground reserves and production (supply) of precious metals such as ruthenium are insufficient. Therefore, there are significant advantages to reactivating deactivated catalysts and reusing them for decomposing nitrous oxide. However, given the current situation where nitrous oxide contained in exhaust gases is not subject to emission control, there is growing interest in the development and establishment of methods for decomposing nitrous oxide, but research into technologies for reactivating deactivated catalysts has not progressed. Patent Document 1 does not describe catalyst reactivation or reuse.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for regenerating a catalyst for the decomposition of nitrous oxide, which can efficiently regenerate a deactivated catalyst for the decomposition of nitrous oxide. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for decomposing nitrous oxide, which uses a catalyst for the decomposition of nitrous oxide regenerated by the above-mentioned regeneration method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] That is, the object of the present invention has been achieved by the following means. <1> A catalyst for decomposing nitrous oxide, which comprises a titanium oxide-containing carrier and a component containing at least one selected from the group consisting of ruthenium and ruthenium compounds, and which has been used in a decomposition reaction of nitrous oxide, A method for regenerating a catalyst for decomposing nitrous oxide, comprising a step of heat treating the catalyst in an oxidizing gas atmosphere at a temperature of 175 to 325°C. <2> The oxidizing gas is air. <1> 2. A method for regenerating a catalyst for decomposing nitrous oxide according to claim 1. <3> the above <1> or <2> 2. A method for decomposing nitrous oxide, comprising the step of contacting the catalyst for decomposing nitrous oxide regenerated by the regeneration method with a nitrous oxide-containing gas containing nitrous oxide, after the method for regenerating a catalyst for decomposing nitrous oxide described in 1. <4> The nitrous oxide-containing gas contains at least one gas selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapor, oxygen, hydrogen, ammonia, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and hydrocarbons; <3> The method for decomposing nitrous oxide according to claim 1. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present invention provides a method for regenerating a catalyst for the decomposition of nitrous oxide, which can efficiently regenerate a deactivated catalyst for the decomposition of nitrous oxide, and a method for decomposing nitrous oxide using a catalyst for the decomposition of nitrous oxide regenerated by this regeneration method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In the present invention and this specification, a numerical range expressed using "to" means a range that includes the numerical values written before and after "to" as the lower and upper limits. In the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the term "nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst" (sometimes simply referred to as "catalyst") is used to include a nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst that has not been used in a nitrous oxide decomposition reaction (also referred to as an unused catalyst, a new catalyst, etc.), a nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst that has been used in a nitrous oxide decomposition reaction (also referred to as a used catalyst, a degraded catalyst, etc.), and a regenerated nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst (also referred to as a regenerated catalyst) obtained by regenerating a degraded catalyst.

[0010] [Method for regenerating catalyst for decomposing nitrous oxide] The method for regenerating a nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst of the present invention (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the "regeneration method of the present invention") comprises a step of heat-treating a nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst used in a nitrous oxide decomposition reaction (decomposition method) in an oxidizing gas atmosphere at a temperature of 175 to 325°C. As will be described later, this heat-treatment step makes it possible to efficiently restore or regenerate the catalytic activity of a deteriorated catalyst whose catalytic activity has been deactivated.

[0011] <Catalyst for decomposing nitrous oxide> The degraded catalyst used in the regeneration method of the present invention is a catalyst whose catalytic activity has been deactivated by using a nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst comprising a titanium oxide-containing carrier and a component containing at least one selected from the group consisting of ruthenium and ruthenium compounds supported thereon in a method for decomposing nitrous oxide. The method for deactivating the degraded catalyst for decomposing nitrous oxide is not particularly limited, and examples include the "step of contacting with a nitrous oxide-containing gas" in the method for decomposing nitrous oxide of the present invention described below.

[0012] The catalyst for decomposing nitrous oxide is a catalyst in which a component containing at least one selected from the group consisting of ruthenium and ruthenium compounds is supported on a carrier containing titanium oxide. In the present invention, the term "a catalyst comprising a titanium oxide-containing carrier and a component containing at least one selected from the group consisting of ruthenium and ruthenium compounds" refers to a catalyst in which a component containing at least one selected from the group consisting of ruthenium and ruthenium compounds is attached to the surface and / or within the pores of a titanium oxide-containing carrier. In the present invention, at least one selected from the group consisting of ruthenium and ruthenium compounds is selected as the component to be supported on the carrier in terms of the balance between catalytic activity and cost.

[0013] (Ruthenium compounds) The ruthenium compound is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include ruthenium oxide, ruthenium hydroxide, ruthenium nitrate, ruthenium chloride, chlororuthenate, chlororuthenate hydrate, salts of ruthenium acid, ruthenium oxychloride, salts of ruthenium oxychloride, ruthenium ammine complexes, chlorides of ruthenium ammine complexes, ruthenium bromide, ruthenium carbonyl complexes, ruthenium organic acid salts, and ruthenium nitrosyl complexes. Ruthenium oxides include RuO2. Ruthenium hydroxide includes Ru(OH)3. Ruthenium nitrate includes Ru(NO3)3. Ruthenium chloride includes RuCl3, RuCl3 hydrate, and the like. Examples of chlororuthenates include K3RuCl6, [RuCl6] 3- Salts with an anion such as K2RuCl6 and (NH4)2RuCl6, [RuCl6] 2- Examples of salts include those having the anion As the chlororuthenate hydrate, [RuCl5(H2O)4] 2- RuCl2(H2O)4 is a hydrated salt with the anion RuCl2(H2O)4. + Examples include salt hydrates with the cation Examples of ruthenic acid salts include Na2RuO4 and K2RuO4. Ruthenium oxychlorides include Ru2OCl4, Ru2OCl5, Ru2OCl6, and the like. Ruthenium oxychloride salts include K2Ru2OCl 10 , Cs2Ru2OCl4, etc. Ruthenium ammine complexes include [Ru(NH3)6] 2+ , [Ru(NH3)6] 3+ , [Ru(NH3)5H2O] 2+ Examples include complexes with complex ions such as The chloride of the ruthenium ammine complex is [Ru(NH3)5Cl] 2+Examples of complexes with this ion include [Ru(NH3)6]Cl2, [Ru(NH3)6]Cl3, and [Ru(NH3)6]Br3. Ruthenium bromide includes RuBr3, RuBr3 hydrate, and the like. Ruthenium carbonyl complexes include Ru(CO)5 and Ru3(CO) 12 Examples include: Examples of ruthenium organic acid salts include [Ru3O(OCOCH3)6(H2O)3]OCOCH3 hydrate and Ru2(RCOO)4Cl (R=alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms). Ruthenium nitrosyl complexes include K2[RuCl5NO)], [Ru(NH3)5(NO)]Cl3, [Ru(OH)(NH3)4(NO)](NO3)2, and Ru(NO)(NO3)3. The ruthenium compound is preferably ruthenium oxide, ruthenium nitrate, ruthenium chloride, ruthenium bromide, a salt of ruthenium acid, or a ruthenium nitrosyl complex, and more preferably ruthenium oxide.

[0014] The component supported on the titanium oxide-containing carrier needs to contain at least one selected from the group consisting of ruthenium and ruthenium compounds, and may further contain metals other than ruthenium and metal compounds other than ruthenium compounds. In the present invention, for the purpose of inhibiting the adsorption of substances that cause catalyst poisoning onto the catalyst surface, preventing a decrease in catalyst performance, or preventing sintering of catalytic active sites, the catalyst is preferably a catalyst in which at least one selected from the group consisting of metals other than ruthenium and metal compounds other than ruthenium compounds is further supported on a support containing titanium oxide. The metal other than ruthenium is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include silicon, zirconium, aluminum, niobium, tin, copper, iron, cobalt, nickel, vanadium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, antimony, and tellurium. The metal compound other than the ruthenium compound is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include compounds containing the above-mentioned metals other than ruthenium, and oxides of the above-mentioned metals other than ruthenium are preferred. The metal oxide may be a composite oxide of multiple metal species. Furthermore, the catalyst may be a catalyst in which a carrier further supports an alloy of ruthenium and a metal other than ruthenium, or a composite oxide containing ruthenium and a metal other than ruthenium. The catalyst is more preferably a catalyst in which at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of silicon oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, niobium oxide, manganese oxide, antimony oxide, tellurium oxide and tin oxide is further supported on a carrier containing rutile crystalline titanium oxide. The metal salt used to obtain the metal oxide is not particularly limited.

[0015] The content of at least one selected from the group consisting of ruthenium and ruthenium compounds in the catalyst is not particularly limited and may be set appropriately, but is, for example, preferably 0.1 to 20 mass%, more preferably 0.5 to 10 mass%, and even more preferably 1 to 5 mass%, based on metallic ruthenium. The content of at least one selected from the group consisting of ruthenium and ruthenium compounds is preferably 0.1 to 20 mass%, more preferably 0.5 to 10 mass%, and even more preferably 1 to 5 mass%, based on metallic ruthenium, assuming the total amount of the component containing at least one selected from the group consisting of ruthenium and ruthenium compounds and the carrier to be 100 mass%. The contents of metals other than ruthenium and metal compounds other than ruthenium compounds in the catalyst are not particularly limited and can be set appropriately depending on the above-mentioned purpose.

[0016] (Carrier) The carrier may contain titanium oxide, and may also contain other compounds as described below. The crystalline form of the titanium oxide constituting the carrier is not particularly limited, and may be any of rutile crystalline form, anatase crystalline form, and brookite crystalline form. In the present invention, the carrier is preferably composed of titanium oxide containing rutile crystalline titanium oxide. From the viewpoint of catalytic activity, the content of rutile crystalline titanium oxide in the titanium oxide contained in the carrier is preferably 20% by mass or more, more preferably 30% by mass or more, even more preferably 80% by mass or more, and even more preferably 90% by mass or more, where the total amount of titanium oxide contained in the carrier is 100% by mass.

[0017] In the present invention, titanium oxide containing rutile crystalline titanium oxide refers to titanium oxide containing rutile crystals, as determined by X-ray diffraction analysis to measure the ratio of rutile crystals to anatase crystals. Various X-ray sources are used, including copper Kα radiation. When copper Kα radiation is used, the ratios of rutile crystals and anatase crystals are determined using the diffraction peak intensity of the (110) plane at 2θ=27.5° and the diffraction peak intensity of the (101) plane at 2θ=25.3°, respectively. The support used in the present invention is a support having a rutile crystal peak intensity and an anatase crystal peak intensity, or a support having a rutile crystal peak intensity. That is, the support may have both a rutile crystal diffraction peak and an anatase crystal diffraction peak, or it may have only a rutile crystal diffraction peak.

[0018] Examples of other compounds that the support may contain include metal oxides other than titanium oxide, composite oxides of titanium oxide and other metal oxides, and mixtures of titanium oxide and other metal oxides. Examples of metal oxides other than titanium oxide include aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, and zirconium oxide.

[0019] Titanium oxide prepared by a known method can be used, or commercially available products can also be used. The following method can be used to prepare titanium oxide in the rutile crystal form. A method in which titanium tetrachloride is dissolved dropwise in ice-cold water, neutralized with an aqueous ammonia solution at a temperature of 20°C or higher to produce titanium hydroxide (orthotitanic acid), and the resulting precipitate is then washed with water to remove chloride ions and calcined at a temperature of 600°C or higher (Catalyst Preparation Chemistry, 1989, p. 211, Kodansha); A method in which a reactive gas is prepared by passing an oxygen-nitrogen mixed gas through a titanium tetrachloride evaporator, and then introduced into a reactor to react at 900°C or higher (Catalyst Preparation Chemistry, 1989, p. 89, Kodansha); A method in which titanium tetrachloride is hydrolyzed in the presence of ammonium sulfate and then calcined (for example, Catalysis Engineering Lecture Series 10: Handbook of Elemental Catalysts, 1978, p. 254, Chijin Shokan); A method of calcining titanium oxide in anatase crystal form (e.g., Metal Oxides and Complex Oxides, 1980, p. 107, Kodansha); A method of thermally hydrolyzing an aqueous titanium chloride solution; and A method in which an aqueous solution of titanium compounds such as titanium sulfate or titanium chloride is mixed with rutile crystalline titanium oxide powder, followed by thermal hydrolysis or alkaline hydrolysis, and then calcination at a temperature of around 500°C.

[0020] The support can be obtained by molding titanium oxide or the like into a desired shape. When the support contains a compound other than titanium oxide, the support can be obtained by molding a mixture of titanium oxide and the other compound into a desired shape.

[0021] The shape of the catalyst (carrier) is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include spherical granules, cylindrical pellets, rings, honeycomb, monolith, and corrugated shapes, as well as granules and fine particles of appropriate size obtained by crushing and classifying the granules after molding. In the case of spherical granules, cylindrical pellets, and ring shapes, the catalyst diameter is preferably 10 mm or less from the viewpoint of catalytic activity. Here, the catalyst diameter means the diameter of the sphere for spherical granules, the diameter of the cross section for cylindrical pellets, and the maximum cross section diameter for other shapes.

[0022] The catalyst can be prepared, for example, by impregnating a titanium oxide-containing carrier with a solution containing at least one component selected from the group consisting of ruthenium and ruthenium compounds, allowing the component containing at least one component selected from the group consisting of ruthenium and ruthenium compounds to adhere to the carrier, and then drying the carrier. The solvent in the solution containing at least one component selected from the group consisting of ruthenium and ruthenium compounds is not particularly limited, but water, ethanol, or the like can be used. After drying, the resulting mixture may be calcined. When the catalyst contains ruthenium oxide, it can be obtained, for example, by a method including a step of impregnating a support containing titanium oxide with a solution containing ruthenium halide to support the ruthenium halide on the support, a step of drying the support in which the ruthenium halide is supported on the support, and a step of calcining the dried product.

[0023] The catalyst may be used after diluting with an inert material.

[0024] The degraded catalyst used in the regeneration method of the present invention may be one that has been used in a method for decomposing nitrous oxide and has lost its catalytic activity, and the amount of catalytic activity lost when regenerating the degraded catalyst is determined appropriately. For example, the "regeneration rate" (ratio of reaction rate constants for the decomposition reaction of nitrous oxide) in the examples described below can be 0.89 or less, or can also be 0.88 or less. The details (chemical structure, structural changes, physical properties, etc.) of catalysts deactivated by the decomposition reaction of nitrous oxide are not yet clear, and are thought to be non-unique depending on the type of catalyst (compound type), etc. For example, in the case of ruthenium oxide, possible catalysts that have lost their function of promoting the decomposition of nitrous oxide include reduced forms of the catalyst, ruthenium oxide particles that have been poisoned by the adsorption of components in the nitrous oxide-containing gas, and ruthenium oxide particles whose dispersion has decreased due to sintering of the ruthenium oxide particles.

[0025] <Oxidizing gas> The oxidizing gas used in the regeneration method of the present invention may be any gas that exhibits the property of oxidizing a specific substance while being reduced itself, such as a gas containing an oxidizing substance, typically an oxygen-containing gas. The oxygen-containing gas may generally contain oxygen gas, such as air or a gas obtained by diluting oxygen gas with an inert gas, with air being preferred. The oxygen gas is not particularly limited, but typically includes air and pure oxygen. The inert gas may be any gas that does not substantially contain an oxidizing substance, such as a rare earth gas such as helium, neon, or argon, nitrogen gas, carbon monoxide gas, carbon dioxide gas, or hydrocarbon gas, with nitrogen gas being preferred. The oxidizing gas may also contain moisture. The oxygen concentration in the oxygen-containing gas is determined appropriately depending on the regeneration conditions, etc., and can usually be set to 0.1 to 100 mol %, preferably 2 to 50 mol %, and more preferably 4 to 30 mol %.

[0026] <Method for regenerating catalyst for decomposing nitrous oxide> In the regeneration method of the present invention, the above-mentioned deteriorated catalyst is heat-treated in an oxidizing gas atmosphere at a temperature of 175 to 325°C. This heat treatment step restores the deactivated catalytic activity, making it possible to regenerate the deteriorated catalyst. For example, if the catalyst deterioration is due to a reduction reaction, it is believed that the catalyst can be regenerated by subjecting it to an oxidation reaction. The heat treatment step is carried out in an oxidizing gas atmosphere, preferably in a stream of oxidizing gas. This step may be carried out in a batch or continuous manner as long as it can be carried out in an oxidizing gas atmosphere, with the continuous method being preferred in terms of workability, regeneration efficiency, etc. Examples of the continuous method include a fixed bed method and a fluidized bed method.

[0027] The heat treatment temperature is appropriately determined within the range of 175 to 325°C, but from the viewpoint of the efficiency of regenerating the degraded catalyst, it is preferably 180 to 320°C, and more preferably 185 to 315°C. The heating method is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include ordinary heating methods using various heaters, etc. It is also possible to preheat the oxidizing gas before contacting it with the degraded catalyst. The heat treatment temperature of the present invention can also be used as a heat source used in the contact step to heat the oxidizing gas, thereby reducing the cost of the regeneration step and efficiently regenerating the degraded catalyst. The heat treatment time is appropriately determined depending on the oxidizing substance concentration or supply rate of the oxidizing gas, the heat treatment temperature, etc., and can be, for example, 0.5 to 100 hours, 1 to 50 hours, or can be set to a relatively short time such as 1.5 to 25 hours. When heat treatment is carried out continuously, the supply rate of the oxidizing gas relative to the weight of the catalyst is not particularly limited and is determined appropriately depending on the type or concentration of the oxidizing substance, etc. For example, the flow rate at 0°C and 0.1013 MPa (absolute) relative to 1 g of catalyst is 1 to 350 cm 3 / min, preferably 3.5 to 300 cm 3 / min is more preferable. The pressure during the heat treatment can be appropriately determined taking into consideration the heat treatment temperature, the supply rate of the oxidizing gas, the pressure of the surrounding outside air, etc. For example, the absolute pressure can be set to 0.08 to 1 MPa (absolute), and preferably 0.09 to 0.7 MPa (absolute).

[0028] The regeneration method of the present invention can restore the catalytic activity of a degraded catalyst even when the heat treatment is performed for a relatively short period of time, and can regenerate the degraded catalyst with high efficiency. The catalyst regeneration efficiency in the regeneration method of the present invention cannot be uniquely determined depending on the heat treatment conditions and the heat treatment scale, etc., but for example, the "regeneration rate" in the examples described below can be regenerated to, for example, 0.90 or more, preferably 0.93 or more.

[0029] <Other processes> The regeneration method of the present invention may include steps other than the heat treatment step. For example, when the heat treatment step is carried out continuously, these steps may include a step of circulating an inert gas until the heat treatment temperature is reached, a step of removing the deteriorated catalyst from the nitrous oxide decomposition device, a step of crushing or disintegrating the removed deteriorated catalyst, a step of reshaping the catalyst, and a step of filling the decomposition device with the regenerated catalyst.

[0030] [Method for decomposing nitrous oxide] The nitrous oxide decomposition method of the present invention (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the "decomposition method of the present invention") involves a step of contacting a regenerated catalyst regenerated by the above-mentioned regeneration method of the present invention with a nitrous oxide-containing gas that includes nitrous oxide (gas). The decomposition method of the present invention includes the regeneration method of the present invention as a step of regenerating a deteriorated catalyst, and a contacting step of contacting the regenerated catalyst regenerated by this regeneration method with a nitrous oxide-containing gas. The decomposition method of the present invention may be any method as long as it comprises the regeneration method of the present invention and a contact step, and the regeneration method and the contact step may be alternately repeated multiple times. A preferred method for alternately repeating the contact step and the regeneration method multiple times is to regenerate a catalyst deteriorated in the contact step in the next step, the regeneration step, and use the resulting regenerated catalyst in the next step, the contact step. In the present invention, the regeneration method and the contact step may each be performed multiple times before proceeding to the next step. In the present invention, a nitrous oxide decomposition step (contact step) may be performed using an unused catalyst prior to the regeneration method. This decomposition step is the same as the contact step described below, except that an unused catalyst is used. In the present invention, the timing of performing the regeneration method (the timing of switching from the contact step to the regeneration method) is not particularly limited, and switching can be performed at an appropriate time, including when the contact step and the regeneration method can be performed in the same device (facility). For example, switching to the regeneration method can be performed during or after the contact step regardless of the amount of catalyst deactivation caused by the contact step, and preferably, switching from the contact step to the regeneration method is performed when a decrease in catalyst activity due to the contact step is observed, for example, when the above-mentioned amount of deactivation is reached.

[0031] <Regenerated catalyst> The regenerated catalyst used in the contact step is a catalyst regenerated by the regeneration method of the present invention described above, and the details thereof are as described above.

[0032] <Nitrogen oxide-containing gas> The nitrous oxide-containing gas used in the contact step may contain nitrous oxide, and may also contain an inert gas as a diluent gas. The nitrous oxide-containing gas preferably contains nitrous oxide and at least one gas selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapor, oxygen, hydrogen, ammonia, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and hydrocarbons (including saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons). It may also contain an inert gas. The content (concentration) of these gases in the nitrous oxide-containing gas is not particularly limited and can be set appropriately. For example, the content may be the same as that of a suitable nitrous oxide-containing gas, as described below. The nitrous oxide-containing gas may contain a liquid. In the decomposition method of the present invention, the nitrous oxide-containing gas is required to be in a gaseous state at least while in contact with the catalyst (under reaction conditions), and may be in a liquid state or a mixture of a gas and a liquid state before contact.

[0033] The nitrous oxide-containing gas used in the preferred contact step described below (sometimes referred to as a suitable nitrous oxide-containing gas) may contain one or more gases other than nitrous oxide, water vapor, and ammonia, as long as they contain these. Examples of such gases include various gases such as oxygen, helium, argon, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide, as well as reducing gases described below.

[0034] The content (concentration) of each component in a suitable nitrous oxide-containing gas is not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate. However, except for components with special effects, it is generally efficient to use the nitrous oxide-containing gas at approximately the same concentration as the factory where the gas is emitted. Therefore, for example, the molar concentration of nitrous oxide in a suitable nitrous oxide-containing gas is generally and preferably 0.002 to 10 mol%. The molar concentration of water vapor is generally and preferably 0.1 to 10 mol%. In terms of the decomposition efficiency of nitrous oxide, the molar concentration of ammonia in a suitable nitrous oxide-containing gas is preferably 0.0002 mol% or more and preferably 1 mol% or less. The molar concentration of ammonia is more preferably 0.0002 to 0.5 mol%, and even more preferably 0.0002 to 0.2 mol%. The ratio of ammonia to water vapor contained in a suitable nitrous oxide-containing gas [ammonia / water vapor] is not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate, but from the perspective of nitrous oxide decomposition efficiency, it is preferably 0.0010 or more in molar ratio. A molar ratio of 0.0010 to 0.050 is more preferred, and from the perspective of suppressing or avoiding problems with remaining ammonia (e.g., discharge into the atmosphere, removal work), it is more preferred to have a molar ratio of 0.0010 to 0.030, and even more preferred to have a molar ratio of 0.0010 to 0.010. Furthermore, the ratio of ammonia to nitrous oxide contained in a suitable nitrous oxide-containing gas [ammonia / nitrous oxide] is not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate, but it is preferably a molar ratio of 0.005 to 10.

[0035] When the suitable nitrous oxide-containing gas contains oxygen gas, the content of oxygen gas in the suitable nitrous oxide-containing gas is not particularly limited and can be set appropriately, but it is preferably 0.01 to 10,000 molar times the content of ammonia in the suitable nitrous oxide-containing gas. When the suitable nitrous oxide-containing gas does not contain oxygen gas, it can be obtained, for example, by mixing the suitable nitrous oxide-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas. Examples of the oxygen-containing gas include air.

[0036] A suitable nitrous oxide-containing gas may contain a reducing gas to further enhance the decomposition efficiency of nitrous oxide. Similarly, to further enhance the decomposition efficiency of nitrous oxide, a saturated hydrocarbon gas may be contained, which serves as a raw material for generating a reducing gas such as carbon monoxide upon reaction with oxygen contained in the nitrous oxide-containing gas or generated in the reactor. For the decomposition efficiency of nitrous oxide, a method in which a reducing gas is contained in the suitable nitrous oxide-containing gas is preferred. The reducing gas may be any reducing gas other than ammonia, and any gas commonly used in a typical catalytic reduction method may be used without particular limitation. Examples of the reducing gas include unsaturated hydrocarbon gases such as ethylene, propylene, α-butylene, and β-butylene, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and alcohol compound gases such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, and butanol. Among these, at least one of carbon monoxide, unsaturated hydrocarbon gases, and hydrogen is preferred. Examples of saturated hydrocarbon gases that serve as raw materials for generating a reducing gas such as carbon monoxide include methane, ethane, propane, and n-butane. Preferred saturated hydrocarbon gases include ethane, propane, and n-butane. The saturated hydrocarbon gas may be a mixture of natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or liquefied petroleum gas. The content of the reducing gas or saturated hydrocarbon gas in the suitable nitrous oxide-containing gas is not particularly limited and can be set appropriately. For example, the molar concentration of the reducing gas or saturated hydrocarbon gas in the suitable nitrous oxide-containing gas is 0.001 to 1 mol%. The molar ratio of the reducing gas or saturated hydrocarbon gas to water vapor in the suitable nitrous oxide-containing gas [reducing gas or saturated hydrocarbon gas / water vapor] is preferably 0.0003 to 0.03. Furthermore, the molar ratio of the reducing gas or saturated hydrocarbon gas to nitrous oxide contained in the suitable nitrous oxide-containing gas [reducing gas or saturated hydrocarbon gas / nitrous oxide] is preferably 0.01 to 100.

[0037] The nitrous oxide-containing gas can be prepared by appropriately mixing nitrous oxide with water vapor, ammonia, and other gases described above. Various exhaust gases discharged from chemical manufacturing plants can also be used. For example, gases discharged from chemical manufacturing plants such as nitric acid manufacturing plants, ε-caprolactam manufacturing plants, and adipic acid manufacturing plants often contain water vapor, ammonia, and oxygen gas in addition to nitrous oxide, and can be effectively utilized in the preferred contact step described below. In particular, when the exhaust gas satisfies the above-mentioned ranges for content, content ratio, and the like, it is preferable in that it can be directly applied to the preferred contact step without adjusting the content.

[0038] <Contact process> The contacting step may be any step of contacting a nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst with a nitrous oxide-containing gas containing nitrous oxide, and any contacting step in a known method for decomposing nitrous oxide may be used, except that the nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst used is the regenerated catalyst described above. An example of a contacting step in a known method for decomposing nitrous oxide is the method (step) described in Patent Document 1, in which a catalyst is contacted with nitrous oxide in the co-presence of a reducing gas. The contacting step in the present invention is preferably a step of contacting a regenerated catalyst for decomposing nitrous oxide with a nitrous oxide-containing gas containing nitrous oxide, water vapor, and ammonia (sometimes referred to as a "preferred contacting step"). In the contacting step, a nitrous oxide-containing gas is contacted with the regenerated catalyst. The contacting method is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a batch system or a continuous system, with a continuous system being preferred in terms of reaction efficiency. Examples of continuous systems include a fixed bed system and a fluidized bed system.

[0039] In the contact step, the nitrous oxide in the nitrous oxide-containing gas comes into contact with the regenerated catalyst, causing a decomposition reaction of nitrous oxide shown in the following formula, even in the presence of water vapor, and the nitrous oxide is efficiently decomposed into nitrogen molecules and oxygen molecules. Decomposition reaction of nitrous oxide: N2O → N2+ 1 / 2O2 In the preferred contact step, ammonia in the nitrous oxide-containing gas further promotes the decomposition reaction of nitrous oxide. While the details of this mechanism are not yet clear, it is thought to be as follows. For example, in the presence of a catalyst that exhibits a reducing action, such as a ruthenium-supported catalyst, ammonia reacts with nitrous oxide on the catalyst surface, decomposing nitrous oxide into nitrogen molecules and water molecules, thereby further promoting the decomposition reaction of nitrous oxide. On the other hand, in the presence of a catalyst that does not exhibit a reducing action, such as a ruthenium oxide-supported catalyst, ammonia reacts with oxygen atoms remaining on the catalyst surface, removing oxygen atoms from the catalyst surface and maintaining catalytic activity (suppressing catalyst deactivation), thereby promoting the decomposition reaction.

[0040] When a known step is applied as the contact step, the contact method and contact conditions can be appropriately selected from the methods and conditions that can be used in each step. Preferred contact conditions in the contact step are not particularly limited, but examples thereof include the following conditions. The contact temperature (reaction temperature) is determined as appropriate, but is preferably 500°C or lower from the viewpoint of catalyst activity deterioration, and is preferably 100°C or higher from the viewpoint of reaction rate. The contact temperature is preferably 200 to 450°C, more preferably 250 to 400°C. In the continuous contact method, the supply rate of the nitrous oxide-containing gas relative to the catalyst weight is not particularly limited and is determined as appropriate, for example, the flow rate at 0°C and 0.1013 MPa (absolute) per 1 g of catalyst is 10 to 10,000 cm. 3 / min, preferably 50 to 5000 cm 3 / min. The contact time is determined appropriately depending on the nitrous oxide concentration or supply rate in the nitrous oxide-containing gas, the contact temperature, etc. The reaction pressure varies depending on the contact temperature, the supply rate of the nitrous oxide-containing gas, the pressure of the outside air around the reactor, etc., but is preferably a pressure higher than the outside air, and is preferably 0.08 to 1 MPa (absolute) in absolute pressure, more preferably 0.09 to 0.7 MPa (absolute) in absolute pressure.

[0041] <Other processes> The decomposition method of the present invention may include steps other than the regeneration method and the contact step, such as a contact step using the unused catalyst described above, a step of adjusting the component contents of the nitrous oxide-containing gas, and a step of introducing oxygen gas or a reducing gas into the nitrous oxide-containing gas.

[0042] In the decomposition method of the present invention, the regeneration method and the contact step can be carried out in the same apparatus (reactor) or in different apparatuses. When the regeneration method and the contact step are carried out continuously, they are preferably carried out in the same apparatus, since they can be easily switched by changing the gas supplied. When the contact step is carried out continuously, a tubular or tower-type reactor such as a metal tube or a column tower can be used, and more specifically, various fixed-bed reactors can be used.

[0043] The decomposition method of the present invention includes a step of restoring catalytic activity that has been deactivated in the nitrous oxide decomposition step, allowing the nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst to be reused in the nitrous oxide decomposition step. Therefore, the decomposition method of the present invention reduces the cost of decomposing nitrous oxide and also reduces the amount of catalyst waste. Furthermore, because the regeneration method allows for efficient regeneration of a deteriorated catalyst, it is possible to decompose nitrous oxide while minimizing the decline in decomposition efficiency in the decomposition step, and it is also possible to carry out multiple decomposition steps consecutively. In particular, in the continuous system, nitrous oxide-containing gas is passed through a catalyst to efficiently decompose nitrous oxide and suppress emissions of nitrous oxide. In addition, in a preferred contact step, ammonia in the nitrous oxide-containing gas can also be efficiently decomposed, suppressing emissions of ammonia.

[0044] The decomposition method of the present invention can be used in various fields and applications for decomposing and removing nitrous oxide, for example, in chemical manufacturing plants. In particular, the method can be suitably used in chemical manufacturing plants that emit gases containing nitrous oxide, ammonia, and water vapor, such as nitric acid manufacturing plants, ε-caprolactam manufacturing plants, and adipic acid manufacturing plants. When the decomposition method of the present invention is applied to an existing production plant, the installation position of the apparatus for carrying out the decomposition method of the present invention is not particularly limited, but it is usually installed at the last stage in the flow direction of the exhaust gas, for example, at the front stage of the exhaust tower. Specifically, in the case of a nitric acid production plant, it is installed at the rear stage of the denitrification reactor. [Example]

[0045] Examples of the present invention will be shown below, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0046] Space velocity GHSV (h -1 ) is the reaction gas supply rate (cm 3 (0°C, 0.1013 MPa (absolute)) / hour) with catalyst volume (cm 3 ) was calculated by dividing by

[0047] The reaction outlet gas (post-reaction gas) after the decomposition reaction of nitrous oxide was analyzed as follows. The concentration C of nitrous oxide in the nitrous oxide-containing gas B and the concentration of nitrous oxide in the reaction outlet gas, C A The analysis was performed using gas chromatography (VARIAN, Micro GC (detector: Micro TCD, column: CP-PoraPLOT Q 10m)). The reduction rate of nitrous oxide concentration was calculated from the analyzed nitrous oxide concentration using the following formula. Nitrous oxide concentration reduction rate X (%) = [(C B -C A ) / C B ] x 100

[0048] Reaction rate constant (s -1 ) is the reduction rate of nitrous oxide X (%), the space velocity of the reactant gas GHSV (h -1 ) was calculated using the following formula: Reaction rate constant (s -1 )=-ln(1-X / 100) / (3600 / GHSV) Here, ln(1-X / 100) represents the natural logarithm of (1-X / 100).

[0049] <Production Example 1> A RuO2 / TiO2 catalyst was produced as a catalyst for decomposing nitrous oxide as follows, and was used in the decomposition reaction of nitrous oxide and then degraded.

[0050] (Preparation of new catalyst (a) for decomposing nitrous oxide) Titanium oxide powder (manufactured by Showa Denko KK) was extruded into a titanium oxide molded body (cylindrical pellet shape with a diameter of 3 mm and a length of 4 to 6 mm) and used as a catalyst support. 1.6 g of ruthenium chloride hydrate (Furuya Metal Co., Ltd., RuCl3·nH2O, Ru content 40%) was dissolved in 4.0 g of ion-exchanged water. The resulting solution was impregnated into 20.0 g of a titanium oxide support using the incipient wetness method, and then air-dried overnight at room temperature (25°C) in an air atmosphere to obtain a titanium oxide solid supporting ruthenium chloride hydrate. The obtained solid was packed into a quartz glass tube equipped with a sheath tube for measuring the internal temperature, and then heated at 200 cm using an electric tubular furnace. 3 The furnace temperature was raised to 250°C under an air flow of (0°C, 0.1013 MPa (absolute)) / min, and then calcined by maintaining the temperature at that temperature for 2 hours. The temperature inside the quartz glass tube at 250°C in the electric tubular furnace was 275°C. Calcination yielded 20.9 g of RuO2 / TiO2 catalyst containing 4.0 mass% of ruthenium oxide (Ru content 3.0 mass%, cylindrical pellet shape). The obtained cylindrical pellet-shaped RuO2 / TiO2 catalyst was crushed and sieved into granules of 1.0 to 1.7 mm, and the resulting new catalyst (a) was used in the following examples.

[0051] (Contact process using new catalyst) The resulting new catalyst (a) was 0.06 g (0.05 cm 3 The resulting mixture was packed into a quartz glass reaction tube (inner diameter 8 mm) equipped with a quartz glass sheath tube for measuring the internal temperature. The reaction tube was placed in an electric furnace and heated at atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa (absolute)) and 100 cm 3Helium gas was passed through the quartz glass reaction tube at a flow rate of 0°C and 0.1013 MPa (absolute) / min until the internal temperature of the reaction tube reached 300°C. Then, at the same pressure and temperature, the gas to be contacted with the new catalyst (a) was changed to a mixture of 0.10 mol% nitrous oxide, 1.50 mol% oxygen, and the remainder nitrogen (flow rate: 24.6 cm). 3 The decomposition reaction of nitrous oxide was carried out by switching to a mixed gas (0°C, 0.1013 MPa (absolute)) / min). In this decomposition reaction, the reaction rate constant when the decomposition reaction began to stabilize was 5.8 s -1 The decomposition reaction began to stabilize when the variation in the reaction rate constant was ±1% or less.

[0052] <Production Example 2> (Contact process using new catalyst) 1.24 g (1.0 cm) of the cylindrical pellet-shaped RuO / TiO catalyst obtained in Production Example 1 3 The resulting mixture was packed into a stainless steel reaction tube (inner diameter 156 mm) equipped with a stainless steel sheath tube for measuring the internal temperature. The reaction tube was placed in an electric furnace and heated at atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa (absolute)) and 500 cm 3 The temperature inside the stainless steel reaction tube was raised to 300°C under a nitrogen gas flow (0°C, 0.1013 MPa (absolute)) / min. Next, at the same pressure and temperature, the gas contacting the RuO2 / TiO2 catalyst was switched to exhaust gas from a nitric acid manufacturing plant, and nitrous oxide was decomposed. Exhaust gas from a nitric acid manufacturing plant was collected in a gas sampling bag and analyzed using gas chromatography and a gas detector (water vapor 6M, ammonia 3M). The results showed that the main component of the exhaust gas was nitrogen, with 0.01 mol% nitrous oxide, 1.50 mol% oxygen, 0.40 mol% water vapor, and 0.05 mol% ammonia. Cylindrical pellet-shaped RuO2 / TiO2 catalyst was removed from the reaction tube 400 hours after the start of the nitrous oxide decomposition reaction. The catalyst was crushed and sieved into granules of 1.0 to 1.7 mm to obtain degraded catalyst (b).

[0053] (Second contact process) The resulting degraded catalyst (b) was 0.06 g (0.05 cm 3 The resulting mixture was packed into a quartz glass reaction tube (inner diameter 8 mm) equipped with a quartz glass sheath tube for measuring the internal temperature. The reaction tube was placed in an electric furnace and heated at atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa (absolute)) and 100 cm 3 Helium gas was passed through the quartz glass reaction tube at a flow rate of 0°C and 0.1013 MPa (absolute) / min until the internal temperature of the reaction tube reached 300°C. Next, at the same pressure and temperature, the gas to be brought into contact with the deteriorated catalyst (b) was changed to a mixture of 0.10 mol% nitrous oxide, 1.50 mol% oxygen, and the remainder nitrogen (flow rate: 24.6 cm). 3 The pressure was switched to a mixed gas (0°C, 0.1013 MPa (absolute)) / min) and the second decomposition reaction of nitrous oxide was carried out. In this decomposition reaction, the reaction rate constant when the decomposition reaction began to stabilize was 5.1 s -1 The decomposition reaction began to stabilize when the variation in the reaction rate constant was ±1% or less.

[0054] Example 1 (Regeneration process) 0.06 g (0.05 cm) of the deteriorated catalyst (b) obtained in Production Example 2 above 3 The resulting mixture was packed into a quartz glass reaction tube (inner diameter 26.5 mm) equipped with a quartz glass sheath tube for measuring the internal temperature. The reaction tube was placed in an electric furnace and heated to 6.8 cm under atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa (absolute)). 3 Air was circulated at (0°C, 0.1013 MPa (absolute)) / min, and the electric furnace temperature was raised to 200°C, after which heat treatment was carried out at 200°C for 3 hours to obtain regenerated catalyst 1. (contact process) The obtained regenerated catalyst 1 was packed into a quartz glass reaction tube (inner diameter 8 mm) equipped with a quartz glass sheath tube for measuring the internal temperature. This reaction tube was placed in an electric furnace and heated at atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa (absolute)) and 100 cm 3Helium gas (0°C, 0.1013 MPa (absolute)) / min was passed through the quartz glass reaction tube, and the internal temperature of the reaction tube was raised to 300°C. Next, at the same pressure and temperature, the gas to be brought into contact with the regenerated catalyst 1 was changed to a mixture of 0.10 mol% nitrous oxide, 1.50 mol% oxygen, and the remainder nitrogen (flow rate: 24.6 cm 3 The decomposition reaction of nitrous oxide was carried out by switching to a mixed gas (0°C, 0.1013 MPa (absolute)) / min). In this decomposition reaction, the reaction rate constant when the decomposition reaction began to stabilize was 7.0 s -1 The decomposition reaction was considered to have stabilized when the variation in the reaction rate constant was ±1% or less. This reaction rate constant was calculated based on the reaction rate constant (5.8 s) of the decomposition reaction of nitrous oxide using new catalyst (a) in Production Example 1. -1 The regeneration rate of regenerated catalyst 1 is shown in Table 1, where the regeneration rate of regenerated catalyst 1 is set to 1.

[0055] <Example 2> The regeneration step and the nitrous oxide contact step were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, except that in the regeneration step of Example 1, the electric furnace temperature was raised to 250°C, and then heat treatment was carried out at a temperature of 250°C for 3 hours to obtain regenerated catalyst 2. In this decomposition reaction, the reaction rate constant when the decomposition reaction began to stabilize was 6.9 s -1 The decomposition reaction began to stabilize when the variation in the reaction rate constant was within ±1%. Regarding this reaction rate constant, the regeneration rate of regenerated catalyst 2 is shown in Table 1, assuming that the reaction rate constant of the nitrous oxide decomposition reaction using new catalyst (a) in Production Example 1 is 1.

[0056] Example 3 The regeneration step and the nitrous oxide contact step were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, except that in the regeneration step of Example 1, the electric furnace temperature was raised to 300°C, and then heat treatment was carried out at a temperature of 300°C for 3 hours to obtain regenerated catalyst 3. In this decomposition reaction, the reaction rate constant when the decomposition reaction began to stabilize was 7.9 s -1The decomposition reaction began to stabilize when the variation in the reaction rate constant was within ±1%. Regarding this reaction rate constant, the regeneration rate of regenerated catalyst 3 is shown in Table 1, assuming that the reaction rate constant of the nitrous oxide decomposition reaction using new catalyst (a) in Production Example 1 is 1.

[0057] <Comparative Example 1> The regeneration step and the nitrous oxide contact step were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, except that in the regeneration step of Example 1, the electric furnace temperature was raised to 150°C, and then heat treatment was carried out at a temperature of 150°C for 3 hours to obtain regenerated catalyst C1. In this decomposition reaction, the reaction rate constant when the decomposition reaction began to stabilize was 5.1 s -1 The decomposition reaction began to stabilize when the variation in the reaction rate constant was within ±1%. Regarding this reaction rate constant, the regeneration rate of regenerated catalyst C1 is shown in Table 1, assuming that the reaction rate constant of the nitrous oxide decomposition reaction using new catalyst (a) in Production Example 1 is 1.

[0058] <Comparative Example 2> The regeneration step and the nitrous oxide contact step were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, except that in the regeneration step of Example 1, the electric furnace temperature was raised to 350°C, and then heat treatment was carried out at a temperature of 350°C for 3 hours to obtain regenerated catalyst C2. In this decomposition reaction, the reaction rate constant when the decomposition reaction began to stabilize was 1.7 s -1 The decomposition reaction began to stabilize when the variation in the reaction rate constant was within ±1%. Regarding this reaction rate constant, the regeneration rate of regenerated catalyst C2 is shown in Table 1, where the reaction rate constant of the nitrous oxide decomposition reaction using new catalyst (a) in Production Example 1 is set to 1.

[0059] [Table 1]

[0060] As is clear from the results shown in Table 1, even in an oxidizing gas atmosphere, if the heat treatment temperature is too low or too high, the degraded catalyst (b) used in the nitrous oxide decomposition reaction cannot be efficiently regenerated, and even if the obtained regenerated catalysts C1 and C2 are subjected to the nitrous oxide decomposition reaction, the reaction rate constant is small and nitrous oxide cannot be efficiently decomposed (the regeneration rate of the nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst is low). In contrast, when degraded catalyst (b) is heat-treated in an oxidizing gas atmosphere at a temperature range of 200-300°C, the degraded catalyst (b) can be efficiently regenerated even after 3 hours of heat treatment. When the resulting regenerated catalysts 1-3 are subjected to a nitrous oxide decomposition reaction, the reaction rate constant is large and nitrous oxide can be efficiently decomposed (high regeneration rate of the nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst). Furthermore, the reaction rate constant of regenerated catalysts 1-3 is 5.1 s in the second nitrous oxide decomposition reaction carried out consecutively without the regeneration step of degraded catalyst (b) in Production Example 2. -1 This indicates that the catalytic activity of the deteriorated catalyst (b) has been restored. The above results show that even if the catalytic activity of a catalyst has once decreased after use in a nitrous oxide decomposition process, the catalytic activity of the catalyst for decomposing nitrous oxide can be restored by performing a regeneration process, thereby reducing the cost of decomposing nitrous oxide and the amount of degraded catalyst to be discarded. Furthermore, it is possible to decompose nitrous oxide while suppressing a decrease in decomposition efficiency in the decomposition process, and it is also possible to carry out multiple decomposition processes continuously.

Claims

1. A catalyst for decomposing nitrous oxide, which comprises a titanium oxide-containing carrier and a component containing at least one selected from the group consisting of ruthenium and ruthenium compounds, and which has been used in a decomposition reaction of nitrous oxide, A method for regenerating a catalyst for decomposing nitrous oxide, comprising a step of heat treating the catalyst in an oxidizing gas atmosphere at a temperature of 175 to 325°C.

2. 2. The method for regenerating a catalyst for decomposing nitrous oxide according to claim 1, wherein the oxidizing gas is air.

3. 3. A method for decomposing nitrous oxide, comprising the step of contacting the nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst regenerated by the method for regenerating a nitrous oxide decomposition catalyst according to claim 1 or 2 with a nitrous oxide-containing gas containing nitrous oxide.

4. 4. The method for decomposing nitrous oxide according to claim 3, wherein the nitrous oxide-containing gas comprises at least one gas selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapor, oxygen, hydrogen, ammonia, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and hydrocarbons.

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