SEVERAL ASPECTS OF CATALYSIS IN THE BEGINNING OF 21 th CENTURY

Abstract

In this survey paper challenges and opportunities of catalysis in the coming years to meeturgent requirements of the world in the drastically growing supply of energy and in the stringentdemand of environment protection have been reviewed. The review concerns recentdevelopments of catalysis science and technology as well as their perspectives in the comingyears. A special attention on hydrogen as the ideal energy carrier for the future has beenemphasised. The production of hydrogen from conventional fossil fuels must be accompanied byCO2 sequestration and alternative technologies for hydrogen production could start from waterusing a renewable energy source. Also the problems of hydrogen storage and handling should beconsidered as important issues.The utilisation of renewable sources of energy, including hydrogen, to repillce fossil fuels isan important factor in providing energy supply, but the necessity for reducing toxic compoundsin energy production and combustion remained urgent.