INHIBITORY EFFECT OF OXYGEN ON CATALYTIC REMOVAL OF NITROUS-OXIDE WITH METHANE

The catalytic conversion of nitrous oxide (N2O) into nitrogen with met hane over various metal oxide catalysts was examined in the presence a nd absence of oxygen and the inhibitory effect of oxygen was discussed . Although nitrous oxide was successfully reduced with methane over Sn O2, CuO, Fe2O3 and Pt/Al2O3 in the absence of oxygen, the activity dec reased significantly by the presence of 8% oxygen because of the compe titive reaction of methane oxidation and of the strong inhibition by o xygen. CaO, however, exhibited high activity for the direct decomposit ion of nitrous oxide without the inhibition by oxygen. (C) 1997 Elsevi er Science Ltd.