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Haldor Topsoe launches new catalyst

 

Published by
World Fertilizer,

Haldor Topsoe has announced that it has launched a new highly active catalyst that offers sulfuric acid plant operators an effective way to achieve compliance with emissions standards without compromising performance.

The VK-711 LEAP5TM catalyst has been optimised for higher activity at lower temperatures. This translates into decreased operational costs, as well as the choice of maintaining the same production level with lower emissions or increasing productivity without increasing emissions.

A representative from Pivot Ltd’s sulfuric acid plant in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia, said: “By installing the new catalyst, we have improved conversion to produce more sulfuric acid with no additional consumption of raw materials. The improved profitability should pay back the additional cost of the LEAP5 catalyst in two years. In addition to the financial return on the investment we have also reduced SO2 emissions from the plant.”

The catalyst enables operation from temperatures as low as 370°C and is a good choice for operators of single absorption sulfuric acid plants who want to achieve excellent conversion levels. Other applications include oleum production and more efficient desulfurisaton of flue gases from industry.

Haldor Topsoe claims that the catalyst builds on advanced in-situ studies of the working sulfuric acid catalyst, and the industrial experience gained with the LEAP5 VK-701, which was launched in 2010. The new catalyst is already in industrial operation.