Reduction of N2O Emissions Generated During Nitric Acid Production

The Johnson Matthey Nitro technologies business supplies platinum and palladium alloy gauze catalysts to the nitric acid industry. Ammonia oxidation over the gauzes produces NO as the main product, but unfavourable side reactions can produce N2O. They are looking at ways to further reduce N2O for their customers through optimising gauze design.

Research Approaches of Interest

Johnson Matthey is primarily seeking researchers with the expertise and facilities (with corresponding health and safety) to test platinum/palladium alloy gauze catalysts with the goal of reducing N2O emissions generated during nitric acid production. The facilities submitted for collaboration must have a micro reactor that can perform ammonia oxidation, must be able to analyse exit gases, and all relevant health and safety protocols must be in place. Funding can be used to make limited modifications to equipment, pipework and safety improvements. Experiments must be based around Johnson Matthey’s gauze Pt-alloy and Pd-alloy product range, although the composition of the gauze alloys may be modified to demonstrate principles or trends, providing the alloys requested fit within Johnson Matthey’s existing manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, Johnson Matthey is interested in research on the fundamental mechanisms of N2O production and destruction, and advancements in gauze catalyst alloys, to improve other factors such as metal loss or selectivity to NO for nitric acid production.

Out of Scope

• Modelling without validation is not in scope

Opportunity for Collaboration

• Johnson Matthey will supply samples of gauze to the research party for testing according to a jointly agreed experimental plan
• Funding to adapt equipment and facilities in line with Johnson Matthey’s interests will be considered, any costings related to this should be included in the submission form
• Funding to the value of £150‑250k per year, over 1‑4 years, is available

Jurisdictions of Interest

Only universities and research institutes based in Europe and North America are within scope, with a preference on UK based institutions. 

Submission Information

To submit your research, please fill in the submission form. In submitting to this campaign, you confirm that your submission contains only non-confidential information.