Catalystsencompassing
Catalystsencompassing is a concept in catalysis studies describing an approach that treats catalysts as components of larger chemical systems rather than as isolated agents. The term, a portmanteau of catalyst and encompassing, refers to a holistic framework in which catalyst performance is evaluated in the context of the full process, including reaction networks, reactor design, separation and purification, energy use, and material lifecycles. Proponents argue that catalystsencompassing supports more robust process intensification by aligning catalyst selection with process objectives such as selectivity, productivity, sustainability, and cost.
In practice, catalystsencompassing involves mapping reaction networks to identify where a single catalyst can enable multiple
Methodologies used include process modeling, kinetic and mechanistic studies, computer-aided design, and multicriteria optimization, often supported
Applications span fine and bulk chemical production, petrochemical processing, biomass conversion, and electrochemical energy devices, where
Critiques note that the concept is broad and not yet standardized, potentially complicating research agendas or