REDUCTION KINETICS OF CuO-ZnO

Copper-containing catalysts are activated, before use, by a reduction process where the presence of ZnO has a promoting effect. The present paper deals wiith the kinetic behaviour of the reduction of the copper species in well defined specimens of CuO-ZnO. The effects of the temperature, hydrogen pressure and ZnO content on the consumption rate of hydrogen are analysed. A kinetic model is proposed which is consistent with the chemistry ofthe reduction reactions which involve the formation ofthe intermediate Cu+. The model appears to be able to describe the consumption rate of hydrogen and to account for the distribution of copper species in the course ofthe reduction.