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Abstract

The kinetics of Pt-catalyzed ammonia oxidation on polycrystalline Pt were investigated at partial pressures of ammonia and oxygen up to 6 kPa and temperatures between 286 and 385 °C, applying a micro-structured reactor that ascertained temperature control of the exothermic reaction. Using literature-based mechanistic models, a micro-kinetic model was derived based on parameter optimization and a model discrimination procedure. The model described the rates of formation of all nitrogen-containing products, i.e. N2, N2O and NO. Catalyst characterization of platinum samples by electron microscopy indicated that reaction-induced restructuring of the Pt surface limited the accuracy of derived kinetic parameters already at the low temperature applied in this work. Despite of necessary simplifications, the best-fitting kinetic model predicted reasonable product selectivities for the reaction conditions of an industrial ammonia burner.