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Heterogeneous Catalysis

Catalysts for waste gas treatment

Research on catalysts with applications in the treatment of waste gases from stationary sources (catalytic decomposition of N₂O, catalytic decomposition of NO, selective catalytic reduction of NOx, selective catalytic oxidation of NH₃, catalytic oxidation of CO, catalytic oxidation of VOCs).

Mechanisms and kinetics of catalytic reactions

Modeling of reaction mechanisms, research on the kinetics of catalytic reactions.

Adsorption and desorption processes

Research on the equilibrium and kinetics of adsorption and desorption processes.

Research Group Description

The Heterogeneous Catalysis research group is engaged in the research of catalysts for heterogeneous reactions in the gas phase, with applications for the treatment of waste gases from stationary sources on both an industrial and laboratory scale, as well as research on the equilibrium and kinetics of adsorption and desorption processes. Attention is focused not only on the development of technologies for the treatment of gaseous emissions, but also on the characterization of catalysts using advanced analytical methods and the study of reaction mechanisms. The laboratory offers the testing of industrial catalysts, modeling of reaction mechanisms, chemical engineering calculations, simulations and reactor designs, determination of adsorption capacity, as well as tailor-made individual research and specialized services in the field of sampling and analysis of gas mixtures.

Keywords

# heterogeneous catalysis

# temperature-programmed techniques

# reaction mechanism

# waste gas treatment

# laboratory and pilot-scale testing

Objectives and Focus

The research group focuses on expanding the use of in situ and operando characterization methods, which enable a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of heterogeneously catalyzed reactions. At the same time, it strives to strengthen cooperation with industrial partners in the development, testing, characterization, and evaluation of catalytic materials, and to consolidate its role as a research and professional partner for both the academic and industrial spheres.

doc. Ing. Kateřina Pacultová, Ph.D.

doc. Ing. Kateřina Pacultová, Ph.D.

Research Group Leader

E-mail: katerina.pacultova@vsb.cz
Phone: +420 596 997 327
Profile

Research Activities and Projects

Innovative technologies for a cleaner Ostrava region!!!

  • OP JAK Project No. CZ.02.01.01/00/23_021/0008588
  • Provider: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports
  • Project duration: 2025 - 2028
  • Principal Investigator: prof. Ing. Lucie Obalová, Ph.D.
  • Development and study of supported catalysts for NH₃ oxidation and high-temperature catalytic materials for the decomposition of nitrogen oxides, with a focus on stability and efficiency under demanding operating conditions.

Research Excellence For REgion Sustainability and High-tech Industries (REFRESH)

  • Project No. CZ.10.03.01/00/22_003/0000048
  • Provider: Ministry of the Environment
  • Project duration: 2022 - 2027
  • Principal Investigator: prof. Ing. Igor Ivan, Ph.D.
  • Research on catalytic materials for reducing emissions of nitrogenous substances from industrial and energy sources. NPO – research on catalytic systems for the oxidation of CO and VOCs intended for use in local heating systems.

Methodology

  • Experimental research in the field of heterogeneous catalysis – synthesis, modification, and testing of catalytic and adsorption materials.
  • Laboratory and pilot-scale experimental measurements – testing of catalysts in model and real gas mixtures under various operating conditions.
  • Analysis of gas mixtures – analysis of composition, determination of conversion and selectivity.
  • Characterization of materials – physicochemical analysis of catalysts and sorbents.
  • Study of reaction mechanisms and kinetics – identification of reaction pathways, active sites, and rate-limiting steps of processes.
  • Scale-up and process verification – transfer of laboratory results to a pilot scale and evaluation of the application potential of technologies.

Services

  • Testing of industrial catalysts (tablets, monoliths) for reactions in the gas phase.
  • Simulation and design of chemical reactors.
  • Determination of the adsorption capacity of gases and vapors.
  • Dynamic measurements of breakthrough curves and their mathematical modeling.
  • Design of adsorber parameters for waste gas treatment.
  • Design of an adsorber for equalizing fluctuating concentrations of components in a flowing gas.
  • Characterization of catalysts and sorbents by temperature-programmed techniques: amount of reducible (H2-TPR) and oxidizable components (O2-TPO), amount of acidic (NH3-TPD) and basic sites (CO2-TPD), temperature-programmed desorption of selected components (NO-TPD, O2-TPD, H2O-TPD), measurement of the surface area of metal sites (N2O-RFC, pulse chemisorption of CO, H2)

Analytical services:

  • Elemental composition of solid and liquid samples (XRF).
  • Chromatographic analyses (GC-TCD, GC-FID, GC-MS)
  • Accredited analyses of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air.
  • Spectroscopic analyses (FTIR)
  • Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

Results and Applications

The Heterogeneous Catalysis research group contributes to solving current environmental and energy challenges through the research of catalytic and adsorption materials and processes for waste gas treatment and the reduction of harmful emissions. The group focuses primarily on fundamental research into the mechanisms of heterogeneously catalyzed reactions, the design of new materials, and the study of the relationships between the structure and functional properties of catalysts.

For the industrial sector, the group represents a partner for applied research and the transfer of knowledge into practice. In addition to fundamental research, it conducts laboratory and pilot-scale testing of catalysts, analysis of gas mixtures, characterization of catalytic materials, and verification of processes under conditions approaching real operation.

At the same time, the research benefits the academic sphere, particularly in the fields of heterogeneous catalysis, reaction kinetics, adsorption processes, and chemical engineering, and it contributes to the training of young researchers and the development of international scientific cooperation.

Selected Publications

Partners

Contact Information

Ing. Bílková Tereza, Ph.D.

Researcher (9350)
Researcher (9354)
tereza.bilkova@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 325

Ing. Fridrichová Dagmar

Research (9350)
Researcher (9354)
dagmar.fridrichova@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 314

dr inż. Górecki Kamil Maciej

Researcher (9350)
Researcher (9354)
kamil.maciej.gorecki@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 316

Mgr. Hrádková Květoslava

Analyst (9350)
Employee (9354)
kvetoslava.hradkova@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 322

Ing. Karásková Kateřina, Ph.D.

Research (9350)
Researcher (9354)
katerina.karaskova@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 329

Ing. Klegová Anna, Ph.D.

Researcher (9350)
Researcher (9354)
anna.klegova@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 308

Ing. Kupková Kateřina

Internal Doctoral Student (9350)
Ph.D. student (9350)
Ph.D. student (9354)
katerina.kupkova@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 308

Ing. Maršolek Petr

Chief analysts (9350)
Employee (9354)
petr.marsolek@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 322

doc. Ing. Pacultová Kateřina, Ph.D.

Head of Department (9354)
Head of Work Group (9350)
Academic Staff Member (9350)
katerina.pacultova@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 327

Ing. Sikorová Martina

Analyst (9350)
Employee (9354)
martina.sikorova@vsb.cz
+420 596 997 313