This study explores the formation of catalytic systems for the oxidation of carbon
monoxide on a ceramic fiber carrier with impregnated ferrite materials, including
magnetite, copper ferrite, and chromium ferrite. The oxidation of carbon
monoxide was carried out on a flow-type installation with a stationary weight of
the catalyst in the temperature range of 50–450 °C and an initial concentration of
1–2 vol % of carbon monoxide in the gas mixture at the entrance to the reactor.
The highest degree of conversion of 98.6% at 450 °C was ensured using chromium
ferrite. The composition of the main elements of the surface samples of the
ceramic fiber catalyst was confirmed by micro-X-ray spectral analysis of the
surface using scanning electron microscopy, which corresponded to the specified
Cr6+: Fe2+ =1:15. The results show ceramic fibers modified by ferrites, which do
not require significant capital investment, can effectively clean electrode
graphitization furnaces and flue gases and neutralize toxic carbon monoxide. We
propose a method of fixing the modified fibrous catalyst in a metal frame, which
will allow it to be easily placed over the entire surface area of the thermal
insulation of the Acheson graphitization furnace to ensure full-scale CO
neutralization and subsequently be dismantled after the end of the carbon
electrode heat treatment campaign.
Keywords: Carbon monoxide, flue gases, purification, catalyst, oxidation,
conversion, ferrite method, graphitization furnaces
