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Introduction
Many chemical
reactions don't happen unless they are in the presence
of a third substance called a catalyst. Although the
catalyst does not enter the reaction and does not change
itself, it has a key effect in the start and
continuation of the actual chemical process.
Catalysis plays a key
part in all our lives and is of vital importance to our
present-day standard of living and quality of life
because of the many products and energy related
activities derived from its application. Catalysts
represent a major material industry. The 1989 U.S.
catalyst market was $1.9 billion [$5 billion,
worldwide]. In 1999, the catalyst market is approaching
$3 billion in sales.
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