Catalyst for decomposing n2o, its use and method for the production thereof

Abstract

A process is described for the decomposition of N2O during nitric acid production by bringing the N2O-containg waste gas leaving the absorption column into contact with a catalyst which comprises at least one oxidic cobalt compound and at least one oxidic magnesium compound, under conditions which permit conversion of N2O to gaseous nitrogen and oxygen. The content of oxidic cobalt compounds is in the range from 0.1 to 50% by weight and the content of oxidic magnesium compounds is in the range from 50 to 99.9% by weight, based in each case on the total weight of the catalyst, and at least 30% of the Co atoms present in the catalyst are present in the trivalent state. The preparation of the catalyst involves dry mixing of the oxidic cobalt compounds and the oxidic magnesium compounds or of appropriate precursors which are converted into the oxidic compounds by heat treatment, and compacting the mix, with exclusion of water, so that the resultant catalyst has the desired envelope density.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.