Deactivation of honeycomb ceramic metal catalysts after stability tests in an industrial coal combustion reactor

Honeycomb ceramic-metal catalysts were studied before and after stability tests in a coal fluidized-bed reactor with a capacity of 3 Gcal/h. The catalysts were studied by X-ray phase analysis and scanning microscopy with elemental analysis; their textural and strength characteristics were studied. The test reaction of octane oxidation was used as a measure of catalytic activity. A 30–40% decrease in activity was found with decreasing strength from 26 to 18 MPa. Based on the obtained changes in properties, the time of possible operation of the catalyst was predicted to reach at least two winter seasons.