Why Wash a Catalyst?
Engine exhaust gas is a dirty environment—catalysts get covered with sulfated ash, zinc, phosphorus and all sorts of contaminants. If it’s a MIRATECH catalyst, those contaminants probably haven’t permanently deactivated the catalyst—they may have just covered up the catalyst’s active ingredients—the precious metals. Catalyst durability is key, and MIRATECH catalysts are built to respond well to chemical washing.
Rather than replacing your catalyst prematurely, let us chemically wash it—the routine maintenance that removes contaminants, regenerates the catalyst surface and restores catalytic performance. When we’re done, we’ll test its performance on our Multi-Lambda Catalyst Test System®.
Our Process is Catalyst OEM Process
MIRATECH’s Catalyst Washing System is a proven, effective regeneration process. This know-how comes from operating a catalyst chemical manufacturing plant for over 25 years. This is a value-added maintenance service provided by MIRATECH and MIRATECH’s authorized Catalyst Service Centers located around the country.
Our Wash Systems are Modern Chemical Processing Facilities
Our chemical washing process utilizes modern chemical processing equipment and procedures specified by MIRATECH chemical engineers and used daily in our chemical processing facility. MIRATECH deploys this process at two scales:
- A large-scale system located at our manufacturing plant for processing 40 to 1000 catalyst elements from combustion turbines.
- A small-scale system for processing 1 to 40 reciprocating engine catalysts located at our headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma, our catalyst manufacturing plant in Knoxville, Tennessee, our AIR-SONIC location in Sinntal, Germany, the first catalyst wash facility in Europe, and at our Catalyst Service Centers in Wyoming and Pennsylvania.
The work is carried out by trained chemical technicians using proper health and safety equipment and protocols. Spent chemical solutions are neutralized and disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.
We Use Fresh Batches of Carefully Specified Chemical Solutions
Did you know that plain water or steam, or the incorrect sequence of chemicals, can actually harm your catalyst? MIRATECH chemists specified the chemical cleaning solutions as most compatible with the catalyst formulations and most effective at removing a variety of chemical contaminants and ash.
A key advantage to MIRATECH’s catalyst washing process is the use of fresh chemical solutions for each batch of catalysts. Our customers are assured that their catalyst elements won’t become cross-contaminated by the masking and poisoning agents from someone else’s catalyst.
Our Process is a Recirculation Process for Deep Cleaning
Using the right chemical solutions in the correct sequence is essential—but not enough. Experience has taught that simply soaking catalyst in a solution doesn’t remove most of the contaminants and masking agents. MIRATECH uses chemical recirculation pumps and a special manifold to continuously flush the solutions through the cells of the element for deep cleaning. Circulating the wash solutions is an effective way to release contaminants from the catalyst, particularly from within the interior surfaces and catalyst pores, and it yields higher gains in catalyst performance.
All Catalyst Washing is NOT Alike!
MIRATECH stands above the rest in catalyst washing. Don’t settle for systems that just soak your expensive catalyst elements in the wrong chemical solutions, the wrong sequence or use dirty solutions. Trust the know-how we developed by living every aspect of catalyst development and manufacturing.
A precious metal catalyst is a costly investment with long-term value. As an OEM catalyst developer and manufacturer, MIRATECH offers complete catalyst lifecycle services to help you manage your investment. This is where we apply the science of catalysis and nanophase chemistry to deliver the longest life and best performance under your specific circumstances.
Like any piece of equipment, a catalytic system benefits from routine inspection and maintenance. Once a catalyst enters the operating phase of its life, MIRATECH can help you get the most from your catalyst. MIRATECH can help you set up a catalyst monitoring program that includes performance testing, laboratory evaluations, washing and regeneration. At the end of its service life, MIRATECH will recover the precious metal and apply it to your replacement catalyst.