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Universal Synthetic Gas Reactor® (USGR®)
 

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  image of computer-controlled gas-blending system that provides low-cost and high-flexibility gas mixtures to simulate real-world gas streams
 

The computer-controlled gas-blending system provides low-cost and high-flexibility gas mixtures to simulate real-world gas streams.

The Universal Synthetic Gas Reactor® (USGR®) was developed by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to test the performance of small-core catalysts. The USGR is used to evaluate the performance of catalyst technologies in several applications, including:

  • Three-way catalyst (TWC)

  • Lean NOx trap (LNT)

  • Selective catalyst reduction (SCR)

  • Oxidation catalyst

  • Fuel cell and reforming catalyst

  • Sulfur trap

  • Selective noncatalyst reduction (SNCR)

  image of typical stoichiometric perturbated light-off results for a three-way catalyst
 

Typical stoichiometric perturbated light-off results for a three-way catalyst.

To provide real-time, second-by-second data, a range of analyzers is used, including:

  • O2

  • CO

  • CO2

  • Total hydrocarbons (HC)

  • NOx

  • Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for real-time measurement of gas components such as:

    • NH3

    • NO/NO2/N2O/NOx

    • H2O

    • CO/CO2

    • HC Species

    • SO2

image of typical temperature sweep results for an SCR catalyst   image of typical FTIR output for an LNT catalyst test

Typical temperature sweep results for an SCR catalyst.

  

Typical FTIR output for an LNT catalyst test.
 

  image of the USGR system that can blend synthetic gas mixtures, control a wide range of catalyst inlet temperatures and flow rates, and test a variety of catalysts with different operating modes
 

The USGR system can blend synthetic gas mixtures, control a wide range of catalyst inlet temperatures and flow rates, and test a variety of catalysts with different operating modes.

As a screening tool for catalyst formulations, the USGR can identify the best overall performance for the most desirable conditions. Durability concerns can be determined with aged catalysts. Precise test results are achieved rapidly and cost effectively. Test conditions can be set up to simulate engine exhaust conditions for fuels including:

  • Gasoline

  • Diesel

  • Compressed natural gas (CNG)

  • Liquid petroleum gas (LPG)

For more information about universal synthetic gas reactor capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Gordon Bartley, Ph.D., at gbartley@swri.org or (210) 522-5871.
 

Contact Information

Gordon Bartley, Ph.D.

Universal Synthetic Gas Reactor

(210) 522-5871

gbartley@swri.org

Related Terminology

synthetic gas reactor

USGR

small-core catalysts

catalyst technologies

catalyst reduction

oxidation catalyst

fuel cell

reforming catalyst

sulfur trap

noncatalyst reduction

SNCR

SCR

NOx trap
 

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Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 12 technical divisions.

August 25, 2009