MERCURY ADSORPTION CATALYST POISONING AND REACTIVATION PHENOMENA ON METAL CATALYSTS

Mercury adsorption measurements, using a radioactive tracer method, have been made on evaporated films of nickel and on a 5% nickel-on-pumice catalyst prepared by reduction in hydrogen. Evidence has been obtained for at least two types of uptake which have been ascribed to chemisorption and physical adsorption. The similar behavior of the films and supported catalyst suggests that this physical adsorption takes place on top of the chemisorbed mercury and not elsewhere on the supported catalyst. Hydrogen displacement during the adsorption of mercury has been observed. Poisoning and reactivation studies have been made using mercury and a palladium-pumice catalyst. The results of the adsorption, hydrogen displacement and catalytic studies are discussed in relation to one another. © 1969.