Abstract
Factors influencing changes in the properties of catalyst surfaces at decreasing particulate (particle) size down to 100 nm and finer were described. The potential properties of carrier-based nano-catalysts, such as their activity, strength and thermal resistance, have been analyzed and the advantages of employing aerosol nano-catalysts (AC) without carriers but possessing nano-sized particulates (particles) discussed. Experimental data on AC obtained for a fluidized bed wherein different classes of reactions were undertaken for an optimal concentration of nano-particle catalysts (4–10 g/m3 of the reaction volume) were described. Some experimental data obtained for a new AC variant involving a vibrofluidized (vibrating) bed were examined. Decreasing the optimal catalyst concentration to less than 1 g/m3 of the reaction volume tripled the product yield per cubic metre.