BenchCAT

The BenchCAT™ family of instruments are custom-designed microreactors, which are fully automated and designed for unattended operation.  All BenchCATs are designed around: number of gas inlets, number of liquid pumps, flow rates, pressure and temperature maximums, reactor material, preference of control software, future upgrade possibilities, etc….  BenchCAT microreactors can be designed to conduct iso-thermal or temperature-programmed experiments and analyze the effluent with a mass spectrometer, gas chromatograph, FTIR, or your choice of detector.  Single or multi-station instruments are available.  Microreactors built specifically for Biofuel applications are also part of this line of instruments.   

Application: Studies of hydrocarbon hydrogenation

Name: BenchCAT 1000R HP

This unit consists of one fixed bed reactor for a gas phase hydrogenation reaction.

The feed module can deliver three gases and one liquid. The reactor tube is stainless steel and can operate at temperatures up to 600°C at 100 atmospheres. The reactor module uses a three-zone furnace and the flow can be operated in an up-flow or down-flow configuration.  The reactor effluent is routed to a gas/liquid separator where analysis can occur. Safety features include a hydrocarbon detector integrated into the computer software prompting error messages, alarms, or automatic shutdown.

Application:  Studies of gas-phase reactions, such as methanol to formaldehyde.

Name: BenchCAT 4000R HP

This unit consists of 4 parallel reactors with independent gas and liquid feeds.  Each reactor features four gas feeds and 1 liquid feed with vaporizer.  The reactor tubes can hold up to one gram of catalyst and are stainless steel operating at temperatures and pressures up to 600oC and 30 atmospheres, respectively.  All reactor effluents are routed through heated lines to a heated multi-position valve for sequential sampling into a mass spectrometer.  Lexan covers are provided for added safety.

 

We have also built systems for the following applications:

  • Engine Exhaust Studies, including Diesel Catalyst Studies
  • MAT Reactors
  • Fuel Cell Catalytic Membrane Studies
  • Fisher Tropsch Studies
  • Gasification
  • Pyrolysis 
  • Hydrocarbon Dehydrogenation Studies
  • Reactions Studies of Acetic Acid
  • Biofuel Reaction Studies (BenchCAT for Biofuels)
  • Altamira Instruments has extensive experience in the design and construction of BenchCAT reactors for biofuel applications.  The study of biofuel processes has become a significant area of research, please read more about our specific Biofuel BenchCATs. 

Three specific applications are:

  • Via Gasification of Biomass
  • Via Alcohols
  • Via Trans-Esterification