Bell Telephone Laboratories

At&t Bell Laboratories

Rudolf J Voorhoeve

Lee E Trimble

Joseph P Remeika

A catalytic process has been found to produce urea or its equivalent, NH.sub.4 NCO, under relatively mild pressure and temperature conditions. This process entails flowing a gas mixture containing NO.sub.x, CO, and a source of hydrogen such as H.sub.2 or H.sub.2 C over a hydrogenation catalyst such as platinum. Yields of urea above 90 percent based on NO.sub.x conversion are obtainable.

Catalytic process for the production of urea and ammonium cyanate

The use of a reaction mixture of carbon monoxide, an oxide of nitrogen such as nitric oxide, and a source of hydrogen when passed over a hydrogenation catalyst produces cyanate compounds, e.g., ammonium cyanate and isocyanic acid. The reaction conditions chosen determine the relative amounts of the various cyanate compounds to be formed. When the formation of ammonium cyanate is desired, the addition of ammonia to the reaction mixture reduces the amount of nitric oxide reactant necessary, while enhancing the efficiency of ammonium cyanate production. When a palladium or iridium catalyst is used, the production of isocyanic acid is favored.

Formation of cyanate compounds

Catalyst members of a class exemplified by La.sub.0.8 K.sub.0.2 MnO.sub.3 catalyze the conversion of NO.sub.x pollutants to the non-polluting materials N.sub.2 O, N.sub.2, and O.sub.2. These compounds are also effective for promoting oxidation reactions such as CO to CO.sub.2.

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Summit, NJ, United States of America

Rudolf J Voorhoeve