High-throughput experimentation in syngas based research

The potential of high-throughput technology in studying catalysts and processes in syngas R&D was demonstrated through a series of Fischer-Tropsch studies. The results show that the exothermal nature of the processes is an important consideration in catalyst evaluations. In order to discriminate on the intrinsic catalytic properties, small reactor diameters are preferred. A three-month life-time study, performed on a 64-reactor high-throughput nanoflow unit, showed a reactor-to-reactor reproducibility within 95% for catalyst activity. The ageing behavior as function of catalyst composition, GHSV and temperature variation could be studied simultaneously, saving over 98% in experimental time compared to conventional 1-reactor systems. The consistent correlation between gas and liquid phase selectivity allows for measuring just the gas phase, simplifying reactor set up and reducing operational efforts, at least when no carbon chain-length dependent selectivity is expected. A study into preparation variables for Ru catalysts showed that silica supports promote the formation of ethanol. This is possibly formed by hydration of ethylene catalyzed by the acidic silica support. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.