Our approach for accelerating catalyst research

Avantium has recently built a dedicated high-throughput unit to evaluate the performance of acetylene hydrogenation catalysts. For this purpose, we use our Flowrence® technology and single-pellet-string reactors (SPSRs), optimized for the operation window as shown on the picture.

The unit consists of 16 reactors in parallel and multiple operation modes that allows us to simultaneously test 4, 8, 12 or 16 catalysts. In addition, the analysis of the product stream is carried out in a tailored two-channel GC; each containing one TCD and one FID. The GC works with a fast 6-minute method which accurately can analyze C1-C4 hydrocarbons, H2, He and N2.

Currently, we are performing a validation program with a catalyst supplier to optimize the experimental setup and establish the performance of the unit before its release for commercial catalyst testing.

This will enable our customers to determine the catalysts’ operating window and perform stability studies at iso-conversion tests with feedback control loops for reactor temperature control.

In short if you face a challenge on accelerating your selective hydrogenation catalyst development we have a testing solution available to help you.

Practical example of selective acetylene hydrogenation

In this video we want to show you ‘behind the scenes’ of our R&D services with a practical example of selective acetylene hydrogenation and how we develop and build a testing unit for specific customer requirements.

[1]    Edgar L. Mohundro. Overview on C2 and C3 selective hydrogenation in ethylene plants. In 15th Ethylene Produces Conference, volume 15. AIChE, 2003. Session 64: Ethylene Plant Technology C2 and C3 Hydrogenation Technology Review.

[2]    Darin Tiedtke, T.T. Cheung, Jacques Leger, Stan Zisman, J.J. Bergmeister, and G.A. Delzer. Chemicals influencing the activity of palladium-based catalysts for the selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene in acetylene converters. In 13th Ethylene Producers’ Conference, volume 13. AIChE, 2001. Session 80: Catalyst Poisons in Ethylene Plants.