Table of Contents

I. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................2
II. Property..........................................................................................................................................2
III. Preparation....................................................................................................................................2
IV. Application.....................................................................................................................................2
V. Mechanism.........................................................................................................................................4
VI. Benefit.............................................................................................................................................4
VII. Conclusion......................................................................................................................................4
Reference....................................................................................................................................................4

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I. Introduction
For processing or reaction in the industry, the catalyst is needed to save energy and
increase the productivity of the process. Different types of catalysts are used for different
purposes or types of reactions. Catalysts used for the reaction process can affect the rate of
reaction and lower the activated energy for the process also increase the efficiency of the
products by the process too.
Platinum is one of the catalysts that has been used by different industries. Platinum
function as based-catalyst that can be supported with other types for processing. The
industry that can be involved by Platinum-based catalysts can be the petroleum industry,
fertilizer industry also nitric acid production. Platinum based-catalyst takes the process in
the reaction as the solid form.
Among all applications, nitric acid production is one of the product that used Platinum
baed-catalyst. Platinum based-cataylst for this production is added with Rhodium(Rh) to
increase the efficiency product of the process to convert from NO to N 2 (F.C.M.J.M. et al,
1988).
II. Property
The property of the catalyst can be list as following:
- Platinum-Rhodium catalyst consist of 5% of Rh and 95% of Pt
- Catalyst can be used as wire to knit or weave the gauzes
- The meshes have diameter of 0.06-0.09mm and typically there are 1024/cm 2
(Mariano M., 2016)
- Catalyst can be work in the process with high temperature (up to 800-900C)
- Platinum is an effective oxidation catalyst
- It can be efficiently recycle (Golunski S.E., 2007)
- It resistance to corrosion, adhesion and poisoning
- Durable for production of HNO3 in industrial atmospheric and medium pressure
reactor
- It is great tensile, lasting strength and longer creep-rupture time at high temperature
(Xin Hu et al, 2012)
III. Preparation

IV. Application
This process typically consists of 3 steps:
 ammonia oxidation
 nitric oxide oxidation

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  Absorption.

Each step corresponds to a distinct chemical reaction.

The most commonly used catalyst is made of 90 percent platinum and 10 percent rhodium
gauze constructed from squares of fine wire. Under these conditions the oxidation of
ammonia to nitric oxide (NO) proceeds in an exothermic reaction with a range of 93 to 98
percent yields. Higher catalyst temperatures increase reaction selectivity toward NO
production. Lower catalyst temperatures tend to be more selective toward less useful
products: nitrogen (N ) and nitrous oxide (N O).

2. Nitric Oxide Oxidation

The nitric oxide formed during the ammonia oxidation must be oxidized. The process stream
is passed through a cooler/condenser and cooled to 37.8 o C or less at pressures up to 116
pounds per square inch absolute (psia). The nitric oxide reacts no catalytically with residual
oxygen to form nitrogen dioxide (NO ) 2 and its liquid dimer, nitrogen tetroxide:
2 N O (G) +O 2 (G ) → 2 N O 2 (g)

3. Absorption

The final step introduces the nitrogen dioxide/dimer mixture into an absorption process after
being cooled. The mixture is pumped into the bottom of the absorption tower, while liquid
dinitrogen tetroxide is added at a higher point. Deionized process water enters the top of the
column. Both liquids flow countercurrent to the nitrogen dioxide/dimer gas mixture.
Oxidation takes place in the free space between the trays, while absorption occurs on the
trays. The absorption trays are usually sieve or bubble cap trays. The exothermic reaction
occurs as follows

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 A secondary air stream is introduced into the column to re-oxidize the NO that is formed
in Reaction 3. This secondary air also removes NO from the product acid. An aqueous
solution of 55 to 65 percent 2 (typically) nitric acid is withdrawn from the bottom of the
tower. The acid concentration can vary from 30 to 70 percent nitric acid. The acid
concentration depends upon the temperature, pressure, number of absorption stages, and
concentration of nitrogen oxides entering the absorber.
3 N o2 (g) + H 2 O (l) → 2 HN O 3(aq) + N O (g)

V. Mechanism
A Platinum works as a catalyst by collecting oxygen atoms (O), and letting them
bind with the Nitric oxide (NO), to create the Nitric dioxide (NO2). 
Equation of reaction:
4 N H 3 ( g )+5 O 2 ( g) Pt −rhodium 4 N O ( g) +6 H 2 O (l)
 →

 2 N O ( G) +O 2 (G ) → 2 N O 2 ( g)

 3 N o2 ( g) + H 2 O ( l) →2 HN O 3 (aq )+ N O ( g)

VI. Benefit

VII.Conclusion

Reference
F.C.M.J.M. van DELFT et al, 1988, ISIJ International, Vol 29 (1989), No. 7m pp 550-
559, Composition and Properties of Platinum-Rhodium Alloy Surfaces,

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https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/isijinternational1989/29/7/29_7_550/_pdf (consulted on
10 June 2020)
Mariono Martin, 2016, Industrial Chemical Process Analysis and Design, Chapter 6-
Nitric Acid, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-101093-8.00006-9 (consulted on 14 June
2020)
Golunski S.E., July 2007, Platinum Metals Rev, Why Use Platinum in Catalytic
Converters?, https://www.technology.matthey.com/article/51/3/162-162/ (Consulted on 12
June 2020)
Xin Hu et al, 1 January 2012, Platinum Metals Rev., Physical Properties and
Application Performance of Platinum-Palladium-Rhodium Alloys Modified with Cerium,
https://doi.org/10.1595/147106711X615749 (Consulted on 20 June 2020)