A catalyst is an agent that increases or decreases the rate of a chemical reaction, without changing itself at the end of the reaction. Since the catalyst remains unaltered, you can use it in multiple reactions.

When you want to speed up a chemical reaction, you will need a positive catalyst. You will need a negative catalyst or an inhibitor for slowing down a reaction. Catalysts come in various types, including homogenous catalysts, heterogeneous catalysts and organic catalysts.

This guide aims at giving you a basic understanding of catalysts and related key terms.

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Homogeneous catalyst

A homogeneous catalyst is one that is in the same state as that of the reactant. If the reactant is in a solid state, so is the catalyst.

I recommend: Get the definition of homogeneous catalysts at AllChemicals.info. To get information on homogeneous catalysts, you can browse through the website of Evonik Industries, a manufacturer of industrial catalysts.

Heterogeneous catalyst

Heterogeneous catalysts are in a state or phase different from that of the reactant.

I recommend: You can learn more about heterogeneous catalysts at Chemguide, an online resource that provides information on various chemistry topics.

Electrocatalyst

An electrocatalyst is a catalyst involved in an electrochemical reaction. Electrocatalysts can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. The basic function they perform is the transfer of electrons between the reactants and the electrode.

I recommend: To get a basic understanding of electrocatalysts, read through the definition at Science Learning Hub, an information resource.

Organocatalysis

In organocatalysis, an organic catalyst alters the rate of the chemical reaction.

I recommend: Find out more on organocatalysis at Organic Chemistry Portal, a website that provides information on various chemicals and reactions.

Adsorption

Adsorption occurs when atoms or molecules accumulate on the surface of a catalyst. Catalysts increase the speed of a chemical reaction and provide an impetus to the collision of molecules. Adsorption is one way in which catalysts work.

I recommend: You can get comprehensive technical information on adsorption at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), a leading educational institution.

Enzymes

Enzymes are a type of catalyst. These are most often part of biochemical reactions.

I recommend: To learn more on enzymes, you can browse through the information at Chemistry Explained, an information resource that provides explanations on various chemicals and their applications.

Intermediate compounds

Catalysts form intermediate compounds by reacting with reactants in chemical reactions. The chemicals combine with the catalyst in the reaction and form a new compound that is unstable, ultimately breaking the intermediate compounds into new compounds and the original catalyst.

I recommend: Gondar Design Science, an informative website by Nigel Purchon, provides definitions of catalysts key terms, including adsorption and intermediate compounds.

With the current advance of technology, businesses are upgrading to new computers every few years, increasing the need for computer disposal. This poses a problem for businesses because computers must not be disposed of in the trash and cannot be recycled at most community recycling centers. Computers contain toxic chemicals and carcinogens, which can put people and the environment in danger unless they're properly disposed of, so it's important to find a reputable computer disposal provider.

Get answers to important questions before turning over your computer to a computer disposal provider. Are all dangerous parts recycled? Where any leftover parts sent? How is data destruction handled? If you have confidential or proprietary data on your hard drive, you may want to ask for documentation the data has been properly destroyed. When your business needs to upgrade to a new computer, consider the following options:

1. Find a computer recycling facility through a computer disposal directory.

2. Return old computers to the manufacturer to be recycled.

3. Ensure data security by properly erasing the computer's hard drive.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a computer disposal provider to recycle old computers

Recycling is a good option for broken computers that are no longer usable. Community recycling centers often do not have the resources to recycle dangerous computer parts, but there are many organizations across the US that provide computer recycling. When you find an organization, call them first and ask them what technology they accept, how they recycle the parts and if they have a program to reuse any usable parts.

I recommend: Computer Recycling USA provides recycling solutions to businesses anywhere in the United States. Basel Action Network (BAN) has a computer disposal list and computer disposal information providing recyclers, organized by state, who have pledged not to export to overseas recyclers, send leftover parts to landfills or use prison labor. Both organizations also document where materials go. Retire-IT and CloudBlue also offer recycling solutions for your old computers.

Use computer merchant recycling programs for computer disposal

Many computer merchants recycle old computer for free if you originally bought the computer from them or buy new computers from them. Others will recycle computers for a small fee. Consider purchasing new computers from merchants who offer free recycling.

I recommend: Dell recycles all computers free of charge with the purchase of a new Dell computer and recycles Dell products for free anytime. HP also recycles old computers for free or for a small fee. Apple recycles old computers for free with the purchase of a new Apple computer.

Cleanse hard drives of proprietary information with the help of a computer disposal provider

It's a good idea to erase the hard drives of computers before you dispose of them. Even if you do not have confidential or proprietary information on them, hard drives store passwords, phone numbers, addresses and accounting information and it's imperative to prevent this information from falling into the wrong hands. If your business does keep confidential or proprietary information on a hard drive, the hard drive itself should be destroyed.

I recommend: Kroll Ontrack offers data erasing services to help you cleanse a hard drive of all data. National Association for Information Destruction (NAID) helps you locate a certified data destruction operator in your area that will destroy old hard drives' information.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your business gives old computers to a non-profit computer disposal program, it can qualify for a tax deduction. Your business can deduct the un-depreciated value of your recycled computers.