Back to results
US 4,301,032 AGranted
Thorium oxide-containing catalyst and method of preparing same
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
InventorsGary B. Atkinson, Larry J. Nicks, Donald J. Bauer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An alloy of thorium and a Group VIII transition metal is oxidized, for example in air, and subsequently reduced, for example with hydrogen gas, to produce a high surface area catalyst containing thorium oxide and one or more Group VIII transition metals. The catalyst thus produced may be used as such or may be further treated to enhance its activity.
Claims14
A method of producing a thorium oxide-containing catalyst comprising:
- providing an alloy of thorium metal and at least one metal from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt and iron;
- oxidizing said alloy in an oxidizing atmosphere to oxidize said metals;
- and
- treating the oxidized material in a reducing atmosphere to reduce oxides of nickel, cobalt or iron to free metal to produce a catalyst containing thorium oxide and at least one metal from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt and iron.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.