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A catalyst
is a substance which, by its very presence, causes changes to occur in other
substances.
So, using nickel as a catalyst, sunflower oil will become sunflower margarine
because the catalytic reaction adds hydrogen, which increases the melting
point.
Using other metals such as cobalt and molybdenum (“moly” for
short), heavy oil from rigs and wells is converted to petrol and diesel
fuel; copper and chromium are used to make soaps and detergents; and very
high-value metals such as platinum and palladium are used in the manufacture
of chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
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