• catalyst deactivation
• platinum based catalyst
• wet attrition test
• granulometry
• chlorate
• mechanical impact
• platinum nanoparticles

The present work addresses the study of platinum based catalysts involved in the catalytic chlorate removal (CCR) process of chloro-alkali industry with the goal of understanding the parameters that can influence on the degradation of the catalyst and propose alternatives to optimize the CCR process. For this purpose, the chemical-physical characterization of the platinum catalyst used in the CCR process and the study of its deactivation on a laboratory scale were carried out. The mechanical degradation process of platinum catalyst supported on activated carbon was assessed in the standard process conditions by means of wet attrition test and subsequent chemical physical characterization. Furthermore, the feasibility of an alternative process optimization in laboratory scale was studied in terms of mechanical impact by wet attrition test in modified conditions (i.e. temperature increase). Finally, to evaluate the mechanical impact in terms of microstructure of platinum catalysts submitted to different operating conditions, morphology of catalysts before and after wet attrition test were studied, together with the macroscopic metal distribution on the catalyst support. Likewise, evaluation and comparison of catalyst microstructure of platinum and rhodium catalysts at the end of life after the use in the CCR reactor were carried out.