
79Introduction to Kinetics and Chemical Reactors
Appendix 2A: Catalysis and Chemisorption
2A.1 Catalysis: An Introduction
Catalysis is a kinetic phenomenon in which the rate of a chemical reaction is increased by
the addition of a substance (catalyst), which does not appear in the overall stoichiometric
equation of the chemical reaction. Catalysts have been in use for over 2000 years. The rst
observed uses of catalysts were in the making of wine, cheese and bread. In making these
products, it was necessary to add small amounts of the previous batch to make the current
batch. Conversion of starch into sugars in the presence of acids, combust