Atmosphere Generators
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Catalysts
We use a nickel catalyst in our Thermal Dynamix ammonia dissociators. The catalyst is supported by a 1/2" dia spherical ceramic support matrix. The catalyst and its support look very much like charcoal grey marbles.
The 1/2" spherical configuration provides a high packing density, which allows us a great deal of confidence in our claim of specific capacity of any given unit size, while not packing so tightly as to present a plugging problem.
We believe the use of nickel, as opposed to iron, provides additional catalyst life and durability.
And while we're on the subject: We like to see our dissociators fed metalurgical grade ammonia. It's clean, has no water in it and contains no sulfur. In our recommended specifications for ammonia feedstock we warn against the presence of sulfur; the reason being that sulfur is attacks the catalyst and destroys its ability to promote the dissociation of the ammonia vapor.
Having said all this, in observing the practicalities of manufacturing we have discovered our customers occasional use of industrial ammonia feedstock and in more than one case, agricultural grade ammonia. This stuff is, by our standards, of a quality below that for which our Thermal Dynamix dissociator is designed. It contains contaminates such as oil and water, mercaptans and even occasional sulfur, at levels above our recommendations.
We are always surprised at the retort and catalyst life experienced by those customers in the face of such abuse.
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