CATALYST FOR MOLECULAR CATALYTIC CRACKING OF HEAVY HYDROCARBONS AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME

摘要

A surface modified catalyst of the type comprising at least two mechanically mixed elements forming active catalyst sites at the boundaries of such elements. The surface-modified catalyst is formed by irradiating a catalyst compound, which is preferably hopcalite (copper-manganese), at an energy level sufficient to cause molecular dispersion of the copper molecules and increase the number of active sites. One or more additional elements may be added to the surface-modified catalyst, e.g. lithium and yttrium, to affect the reaction properties and temperature stability.