Catalytic Combustor
Description: A small sample of platinum-embedded ceramic grid is strongly heated with a burner. It glows red in a dark room. The burner is extinguished, but the gas is allowed to flow over the material, which continues to glow red. This behavior mimics the automobile catalytic converter.
Source: Journal of Chemical Education (Art Ellis, MRSEC)
Year: 1989 Vol: 66 Page: 768
Keywords: Catalytic Combustor, Burner, Platinum, Catalyst
Rating: 
Hazard: Some
- Burn hazard
- Flammability hazard
Effectiveness: Good
- Results are clearly observable by audience
- Good connection from demo to course material
- High reliability
- Time to results is medium
- Mild effects are seen by audience
Difficulty: Medium
- Procedures with some intermediate steps to results
- Demo at non-standard conditions
- Simple manipulations for most to perform
- Prior practice recommended
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Thermal gloves required
- No flammable materials in demo area
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
- Perform on a thermally resistant surface
Class: Kinetics, Catalysis, Transition Metal Chemistry
Division: General
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