Twisted Pt-Pd Catalyst Wire for Ammonia Oxidation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Catalyst gauzes made from Pd-based wires are mechanically weak, leading to increased N2O production during ammonia oxidation, as they can develop breaks and have a limited technical life, making them unsuitable for sustained use in reducing N2O levels effectively.

Innovation Solution

A twisted wire made from an assembly of intertwined filaments, each comprising at least 50% by weight of Pt, twisted together to increase the contact surface area and density, enhancing catalytic activity and NO selectivity while reducing N2O production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If Pd-based wire is used to manufacture catalyst gauze for N2O reduction, then N2O decomposition capability is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates causing breaks during use

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveN2O productionVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite wire structure combining Pd filaments (for N2O decomposition) with Pt or Pt-rich alloy filaments (for mechanical strength). This composite approach allows the gauze to simultaneously achieve N2O reduction capability and sufficient mechanical strength to prevent breaks during use, resolving the contradiction between chemical functionality and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If Pd-based catalyst gauze is used for N2O reduction, then N2O decomposition is improved, but technical life deteriorates due to surface blocking by Pt and Rh collection

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveN2O productionVSAvoidtechnical life
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The composite wire structure separates functions: Pd filaments handle N2O decomposition while Pt/Pt-rich alloy filaments handle Pt and Rh collection. This functional separation prevents the Pd surface from being blocked by collected precious metals, maintaining N2O decomposition activity throughout the gauze's technical life and resolving the contradiction between catalytic function and operational duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the catalytic functions by assigning different metal filaments to different tasks within the same wire structure. Pd segments handle N2O reduction while Pt segments handle precious metal collection, allowing each function to operate independently without interference, thus extending technical life while maintaining N2O decomposition capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If single filament wire is used for catalyst gauze, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but catalytic activity deteriorates due to insufficient contact surface area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcatalytic activity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The composite wire structure combines multiple filaments of different materials (Pd and Pt/Pt-rich alloy) into a single manufacturable wire product. This approach increases the contact surface area for catalysis while maintaining ease of manufacture, as the composite wire can be produced using standard wire drawing and weaving processes. The multi-filament construction provides higher catalytic activity without complicating the manufacturing workflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The twisted wire design improves catalytic activity and NO selectivity, extending the lifespan of catalyst gauzes and reducing the need for Pd-based gauzes to capture N2O, thereby enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of ammonia oxidation processes.

Implementation Method 1

A wire for manufacturing catalyst gauzes... each of said filaments comprises at least 50% by weight of Pt... enhancing catalytic activity and NO selectivity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

twisted together to increase the contact surface area and density, enhancing catalytic activity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface area effect:

Data Source

PatentEP3523024B1A wire for manufacturing catalyst gauzes
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 UMICORE AG & CO KG
  • EP3523024B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3523024B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~3ii
  • EP3523024B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Wire for weaving or knitting a catalyst gauze, said wire being characterized in that it is a stranded wire comprising an assembly of n intertwined filaments, n being an integer with 2 ≤ n ≤ 8, wherein each of said filaments comprises Pt or a Pt alloy constituted of at least 50% by 5 weight of Pt, said filaments being twisted together over their length so that each of the filaments is wound to at least one other filament.