How Proper Catalyst Handling Reduces Risks and Improves Operations

May 1
18:58

2020

Nancy Whitman

Nancy Whitman

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Those that are working with catalysts daily, know the importance of making sure about safety and process performance. This is because of the high safety problems it can cause when the catalysts are handled incorrectly. There are also some risks involved in handling the catalyst without protection. It's important to make sure that you know everything there is to know about catalyst handling before you start a career in catalyst handling. There is a lot of information that you need to know about it.

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What is a catalyst?

Catalysts are a substance that is increasing the chemical reaction in products. However,How Proper Catalyst Handling Reduces Risks and Improves Operations Articles the catalysts don’t change during the process at all.

Meaning that catalysts are a substance that is being used to speed up any chemical reactions, but after the chemical reaction is done, the catalysts will still be in their original form. Able to be cleaned and used again.

Two different types of catalysts

With catalysts, two different types can be used for different purposes. And, using the wrong catalyst for the wrong purpose can cause serious health and safety issues. These are the two different types of catalysts that can be used.

Homogeneous. This is where the catalysts and the reactors are in the same format. Normally a solution. After the chemical speedup process, where the catalysts were used, a process called distillation is used to separate the catalysts from the reactors again. The catalysts can be used until it isn’t sufficient enough to be used to speed up any chemical reactions.

Heterogeneous. The reactors are normally liquid or gas and the catalysts are solid. The catalysts come in different shapes when they are solid. This is a complex procedure, and the gas that is exposed to this procedure where the solid catalysts are used for faster chemical reactions in liquid or gas is dangerous. It is a delicate procedure and should be handled by professionals only.  

Safe handling of the catalyst

When it comes to safe handling of the catalysts some aspects should be considered. Things that can put the safety of the workers and people around the workspace in danger. These are things that should be considered when the safe handling of catalysts is used.

  • Confined spaces. This can cause a risk when catalysts are used in confined spaces without proper ventilation
  • Self-heating catalysts should be handled with care. Feeding nitrogen into the self-heating catalysts is essential.
  • Static electricity can cause serious safety risks in environments where catalysts are stored or used.
  • There are health risks involved when handling catalysts. So, therefore you need to use safety precautions and wear safety equipment.

Conclusion

Catalysts are great to speed up chemical reactions in manufacturing companies. However, it is essential to consider the safety and risks of catalysts before this is something that you decide to use. Two different types of catalysts can be used, and the right one should be considered.

It is also important to know the safety risks of each of the different types of catalysts, and how to detract the catalysts from the reactors again. The liquid form is easy, but the pellet form is delicate and can cause some serious health problems.

The catalysts are great for many large manufacturing companies where chemicals need speedy reactions. The catalysts can be used over and over again until it loses its strength. Working with the catalysts also means that you need to take proper precautions. You should be wearing the right safety equipment and make sure that you are going to wear breathing masks, especially when using the pellet catalysts with the gas or liquid form.

To ensure maximum safety and proper installation or maintenance, catalyst handling and other associated services must only be performed by an experienced specialist team of industrial maintenance service providers.

CR Asia is a leading industrial maintenance and shutdowns specialist, providing a comprehensive range of services to the oil, gas, chemical, refining and power industries, including reactor services, mechanical and plant maintenance services, mechanical engineering services, heat exchanger maintenance and cleaning services and more.