Apparent equilibrium shifts and hot-spot formation for catalytic reactions induced by microwave dielectric heating

Microwave dielectric heating of the gas phase decomposition of H2S catalysed by metal sulfides on a γ-Al2O3 support results in significant apparent shifts in the equilibrium constant, which have been attributed to the development of hot-spots in the catalytic beds; X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy measurements have indicated the formation of hot-spots with dimensions of 90–1000 µm and which involve not only the active phase, but also the support.