Utilization of Ruthenium and Ruthenium-Iron Alloys as Bosch Process Catalysts

The Bosch process has been considered as a means to recover oxygen, from metabolic carbon dioxide through the catalytic production of water. Previous investigations have shown that the oxide formation accounts for the limited activity of the iron catalyst. On the other hand, the maximum water concentrations achievable in the nickel and cobalt systems have been shown to correspond to the carbide formation. This paper presents the results of an experimental study carried out to determine the effectiveness of ruthenium and its alloy with iron as alternative Bosch catalysts. Carbon deposition boundaries over the alloy catalysts are reported.