CATLAB-PCS

The Hiden CATLAB – PCS combined microreactor and mass spectrometer system is purpose designed for  the characterisation and evaluation of catalysts and for thermal studies of evolved species. The modular bench top system features a fastresponse low thermal mass furnace with integrated air-cooling, a precision quadrupole mass spectrometer, and the Hiden QIC Series quartz inert capillary with ‘hot zone’ inlet for continuous close coupled sampling with minimal dead volume and memory effects. The novel Catalyst Cartridge System provides simple, reproducible sample placement with minimal changeover time, the in-bed thermocouple ensuring optimal measurement of catalyst temperature and reaction exotherms.

The pulse chemisorption operating mode – an integrated pulse valve allows single adsorbate gases or user definable multiple component pulses to be passed over samples. The pulse option allows the sample to be exposed to known, reproducible, quantities of gas allowing uptake measurements to be easily performed. Properties including adsorption isotherms, metal dispersion and surface acidity can then be easily determined.

The analysis cycle is fully preprogrammable and automated for linear ramp rate, temperature range and temperature dwell periods. Typical applications include catalyst characterisation, temperature programmed desorption studies and reaction testing with simultaneous multicomponent product measurement.

The mass spectrometer may additionally be operated as a stand- alone analyser under the powerful Hiden MASsoft Professional software suite for ull control and manipulation of mass spectrometer parameters. MASsoft Professional enables real- time integration of auxiliary parameters with the mass spectral data, including temperature, weight and pressure, and includes precise mathematical manipulation functions for data quantification giving ease of analysis and reporting – peak integration with automatic background subtraction for full correlation of TA/TGA data with evolved gas analyses for example.

Specification

The CATLAB – PCS microreactor module is designed for the combined roles of catalyst characterisation via a range of dynamic temperature programmed analyses as well as for the rapid, reproducible screening of catalyst activity. The CATLAB – PCS microreactor is a unique reactor system designed for dedicated integration with Hiden QIC mass spectrometers providing seamless on-line, realtime mass spectrometric analysis with full system control, data acquisition and analysis via PC under the CATLAB – PCS Windows® software suite.

Standard Features include:

• Fastresponse, low thermal mass furn
• Hiden’sCatalyst Cartridge system for fast sample turnaround with reproducible placement.
• Integrated pulsevalve allows single adsorbate gases or user definable multiple component pulses to be passed over sam
• Hiden’sHot-Zone QIC MS inlet for close-coupled, heated zero-dead volume evolved gas analysis direct from the catalyst to the MS ioniser.
• In-bed,sentry and control thermocouple system for optimum temperature monitoring and contro
• 4Way flow (3 gases available for pulse flow) interface for gas composition control for simulation of process
• Anti-condensationtrace heating with multi-zone temperature mapping of the inlet / exhaust to minimize condensation of vapour sp
• Reactorbypass channel for flexibility in establishing flow regimes and feed compositions with potentially deleterious exposure of the catalyst
• Windows®CATLAB – PCS PC software for experimental control, MS data acquisition, analysis and