What is probably the first-ever comprehensive survey of the many catalysts used in the refining industry has recently been published in the U.S.A. (“OGJ Catalyst Report: ’84”, Oil Gas J., 1984, 82, (41), 55, 56, 58, 60–65, 68–72, 74–82, 84–86). The compilation which identifies some 700 different catalysts will be of considerable benefit to the refiner or design engineer requiring a clear picture of the many catalyst suppliers, manufacturers and licensors.

This interesting and useful survey demonstrates the high degree of specialisation in the catalyst supply and refining industries. The catalysts, many of which contain a platinum group metal, have been categorised into 18 specific process areas and over 20 pages of tables are required to present the assembled information. Legitimate concern about proprietary matters has been respected and where a contributor had reservations about identifying some aspect of a catalyst, most frequently the composition of the carrier/support or the active agents, this has been indicated in the tables. Nevertheless it is clear that platinum group metal-containing catalysts dominate several of the processing categories and make important contributions to others.