Reduction of Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Catalytic Processes

Catalysis and related technologies and processes play an important role in reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions and in mitigation of the related climate change effects. After shortly introducing catalysis and the general aspects of catalytic technologies for GHG abatement, the state of the art in the reduction of anthropogenic emissions of non-CO2 GHGs (N2O, CH4, fluorocarbons) is discussed. Although developments in this area are still possible in terms of catalysts, catalytic technologies, and field of application, this area fits within the general one of established and mature technologies. Catalytic technologies operate mainly as downstream cleaning technologies in stationary or mobile source emissions, by converting the non-CO2 GHGs to not- or less-harmfully chemicals: (i) N2 in the case of N2O; (ii) CO2 for methane, thus significantly reducing, but not eliminating GHG impact, and (iii) chemicals without the strong C–F bonds present in fluorocarbons. For N2O, when large concentrations are present, its reuse is also possible.