Hello, Poppy,
Increased pressure and temperature are good approaches to speeding up a reaction, but the operating conditions are likely more dangerous and the process more expensive. An important alternative is to use a catalyst. This is an additive that promotes the reaction, but does not actually react with anything. An ideal catalyst can be used repeatedly. A catalytic converter uses a catalyst to reduce harmful automotive emissions by promoting certain oxidation and reduction reactions that minimize pollutants such as carbon monoxide and carbon gases into carbon monoxide. Many industrial processes use silica-based catalysts, but many new types are also being introduced. These catalysts sometimes remain in the reactors since they can often be reused many times before cleaning or replacement.
Other techniques are 1) use increased concentrations of the feedstock materials, and 2) techniques for removing the products quickly as they are made (in effect, reducing the concentration of the product and allowing the equilibrium reaction move forward more quickly).
Bob
