Structured Catalysts-Based on Open-Cell Metallic Foams for Energy and Environmental Applications

The use of structured catalysts based on metallic open-cell foams has been proposed as a great opportunity to improve sustainability of many catalysis processes dealing with problems of heat/mass transfer and pressure drop. The key point in the development of such structured catalysts is to find a well-defined coating technique, which strongly influences on the properties of the coating and hence determines the activity of the obtained catalysts. This chapter provides a short review on the properties of metallic open cell foams, their contribution in a structured support family, some common advantages/disadvantages, and new coating methods on the properties of the obtained catalysts with demonstration on catalytic processes in syngas production and environmental applications.