EFFECT OF IRRADIATION WITH HIGH-ENERGY ELECTRONS ON THE PROPERTIES OFA COPPER-CHROMIUM-ZINC-ALUMINUM CATALYST FOR THE WATER-GAS SHIFT REACTION

The effect of irradiation with high-energy electrons on the properties of a copper-chromium-zinc-aluminum catalyst for the water-gas shift r eaction was studied. The irradiation improved the catalyst activity. X PS studies of the catalyst showed that the content of zinc and chromiu m oxides at the surface of the irradiated catalyst increased. The redu ction of copper in the irradiated catalyst began at 130 degrees C and was virtually completed at 180 degrees C. We assumed that a change in the catalyst activity observed after the irradiation was due to the re distribution of components at the catalyst surface. The irradiation re generated the catalyst whose activity was lost because of coke formati on and did not improve the activity of the catalyst poisoned with chlo rine-containing compounds.