thermocatalysis

Thermocatalysis is a chemical process that utilizes heat and a catalyst to accelerate a reaction. Catalysts are substances that increase the rate of a chemical reaction without themselves undergoing any permanent chemical change. In thermocatalysis, heat provides the activation energy needed for the reaction to occur, while the catalyst lowers the energy barrier, making the reaction proceed more efficiently and at a lower temperature than would otherwise be required.

This process is widely employed in various industrial applications. For example, in the petroleum industry, thermocatalysis is used for cracking large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, more valuable ones, such as gasoline. It is also crucial in the production of ammonia through the Haber-Bosch process, where iron catalysts are used at high temperatures and pressures. Furthermore, thermocatalysis plays a role in environmental applications, such as catalytic converters in vehicles, which use platinum, palladium, and rhodium catalysts to convert harmful exhaust gases into less toxic substances like water vapor and carbon dioxide. The choice of catalyst and reaction conditions is critical for optimizing yield, selectivity, and energy efficiency in thermocatalytic processes.