A radiotracer method for measuring the rate of metal volatilisation losses from catalysts

A radiotracer-based laboratory method for measuring the rates of metal volatilisation loss, i.e. emission from solid, metal(s) containing catalysts was developed and tested. The details of the method are illustrated on an alumina-supported CuO catalyst in which some CuO was labelled with 64Cu. The method enables determination of emission rates of copper at pmol s−1 level and partial pressures of copper at nbar level.