Catalyst Q&A Series – Part 5: Applications of Catalysts in Major Industries (2)
2025.11.26
Following Part 4, which explored catalyst applications in the automotive and semiconductor industries, Part 5 highlights how catalysts are used in the refining and chemical industries as well as in the power & energy sectors.
This episode summarizes key catalyst technologies—from dehydrogenation, hydrogenation, and PTA catalysts used in core petrochemical reactions, to environmental and energy catalysts applied in power plants, engines, and hydrogen value-chain processes. We also examine technical requirements shaped by process characteristics and environmental regulations, along with the differentiated technologies Heesung Catalysts provides.
1. What catalysts are used in the refining and chemical industries?
Catalysts are essential in refining and chemical processes, enabling the conversion of petroleum, natural gas, and chemical feedstocks into high-value products. They directly influence process efficiency, yield, and environmental performance, and their selection varies depending on the feedstock type, reaction conditions, and desired product specifications.
Key catalyst technologies support core reactions across petrochemicals, fine chemicals, polymers, and gas-purification applications:
- Paraffin Dehydrogenation Catalysts : These catalysts convert paraffinic hydrocarbons into olefins such as propylene and butadiene—fundamental building blocks of the petrochemical industry. These catalysts must maintain high activity and stability under high-temperature conditions.
- Aniline Catalysts : Applied in synthesizing nitrogen-based intermediates used for pharmaceuticals, dyes, and polyurethane feedstocks. High selectivity and suppression of by-products are required, with performance is driven by optimized metal dispersion and controlled acidity.
- PTA Catalysts : Used in the production of high-purity purified terephthalic acid (PTA), a key raw material for PET, synthetic fibers, and film applications. These catalysts must deliver strong oxidation activity while minimizing side-product formation, which directly affects plant efficiency and catalyst lifetime.
- Selective Hydrogenation Catalysts : Used in naphtha fractions, pyrolysis gasoline (PYGAS), butadiene streams, and natural gas cracking products. These catalysts selectively remove trace unsaturated impurities, such as acetylene and dienes, improving product quality and stabilizing downstream polymerization processes.
- Gas Purification Catalysts : These catalysts remove impurities such as CO and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) from hydrogen, syngas, and natural gas streams, supporting stable operation in fuel cell, methanol, and ammonia production processes.
2. What differentiated technologies does Heesung Catalysts provide for the refining and chemical industries?
Heesung Catalysts integrates reaction-mechanism–based design with nanoscale metal control to deliver catalysts optimized for each process. By incorporating reactor configuration, feedstock properties, and operating conditions into catalyst engineering, we enhance production efficiency, extend catalyst lifetimes, and reduce carbon emissions across entire plants.
3. What is a “Catalyst Foundry”?
Given the diversity of process conditions and product requirements in the refining and chemical industries, standardized catalysts often cannot deliver optimal performance. This challenge has led to the emergence of the Catalyst Foundry concept—an integrated development platform where catalysts are not only co-designed, manufactured, and evaluated based on each customer’s operational requirements, but can also be scaled up to mass production when developed by the customer. Through this platform, metal composition, support structure, and activation processes can be customized and optimized for each application.
Leveraging extensive expertise in precious-metal catalyst design and large-scale manufacturing infrastructure, Heesung Catalysts provides comprehensive foundry services across refining, chemical, semiconductor, energy, and hydrogen industries. We support every stage of the process – from prototype development to full mass-production transition—delivering tailored solutions that meet customer requirements for efficiency, durability, and environmental performance, and driving sustainable innovation across industries.
4. What catalysts are used in the power and energy sectors?
Across the power and energy value chain—combustion, conversion, and emission treatment—diverse catalyst technologies play essential roles. Power plants, boilers, engines, and turbines must simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve operating efficiency. This elevates the importance of catalysts that enhance combustion behavior and minimize emissions.
As the global energy transition accelerates, the industry is moving beyond incremental carbon reduction toward a fully decarbonized energy system. Hydrogen is emerging as a key zero-carbon energy carrier, and catalysts are indispensable throughout its production, storage, and utilization stages. Catalysts thus support both the efficiency of conventional fossil-fuel–based power generation and the shift toward hydrogen-centered energy systems.
Among power-generation catalysts, Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalysts are the most widely applied. SCR catalysts convert nitrogen oxides (NOx) into harmless nitrogen (N₂) and water (H₂O) using ammonia (NH₃) or urea as the reducing agent. They are used in coal and gas power plants, steel mills, waste-incineration facilities, and many other systems. Catalyst composition and structure must be adjusted according to operating temperature, sulfur concentration, and exhaust composition.
5. What catalysts are applied in power-generation turbines and engines?
Large engines and power-generation turbines require oxidation catalysts to convert CO and hydrocarbons into CO₂ and water, stabilizing engine performance while purifying exhaust emissions. These catalysts must activate quickly under low-temperature conditions while maintaining durability at high temperatures and withstanding diverse combustion and exhaust environments.
6. Why are methane oxidation and N₂O decomposition catalysts important?
Methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) are major greenhouse gases with global-warming potentials roughly 25 times and 300 times higher than CO₂, respectively. Facilities such as biogas plants, LNG/CNG power systems, and landfills emit these gases, making methane oxidation and N₂O decomposition catalysts essential for effective reduction.
These catalysts must maintain long-term activity even at high temperatures,(삭제) and exhibit excellent resistance to poisoning by moisture and sulfur (S) generated during reactions.
7. What catalysts are used across the hydrogen value chain and in fuel-cell systems?
Catalysts are fundamental to every stage of the hydrogen economy:
- Hydrogen Production (Reforming)
Catalysts drive reforming reactions that extract hydrogen from methane, methanol, and ammonia.
- Water Electrolysis (Hydrogen Generation)
Electrode catalysts determine reaction efficiency and hydrogen-(삭제) production rates.
- Fuel Cells
Electrode catalysts accelerate electrochemical reactions between hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity efficiently.
Heesung Catalysts has built a comprehensive portfolio that includes hydrogen-production catalysts such as methane, methanol, and ammonia reforming catalysts, as well as electrode catalysts for water electrolysis and fuel cells, and catalysts for hydrogen combustion engines and ammonia cracking.
8. How is Heesung Catalysts expanding its capabilities in the power and energy industries?
Heesung Catalysts continues to expand beyond traditional exhaust-purification catalysts into technologies for decarbonized fuel conversion, syngas transformation, and advanced electrode catalysts. This integrated approach enhances power-generation efficiency while supporting customers in achieving RE100 commitments and Scope 1 emission-reduction targets.
