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Catalyst Testing & Development

With the current drive to simplify and integrate processes for petroleum, chemical, and biological process industries, new and improved catalyst development is becoming increasingly important to address these challenges.  SwRI has extensive experience developing and testing catalysts to evaluate performance and effectiveness across multiple industries, such as chemical, petrochemical, and fuels.  From small scale to demonstration scale, SwRI can evaluate lifetime and performance of gas to liquids, petroleum refining, and petrochemical catalysts.   

Catalyst Performance Testing

  • Activity
  • Selectivity
  • Longevity
  • Physical property testing
  • Regeneration cycle testing
  • Coking/fouling testing
  • Heterogeneous and homogeneous catalyst

Catalyst Development

  • Lab to Pilot to commercial demonstration scale-up
  • Proof of concept testing
  • Techno Economic Analyses
  • Heat transfer / activity analysis
  • Determination of Kinetics
  • Fouling and fundamental thermodynamic modeling
  • High Temperature Catalyst testing

Types of Catalytic Reactors

10mL fixed bed reactors  in parallel or series for scoping and parametric analysis (3000 psig and up to 550°C)
100-200mL fixed bed reactor (550°C and 3000 psig)
1-7L fixed bed reactor (550°C and 4000psig)
Circulating fluidized bed (20lb of solids inventory, 700°C and 30 psig)
Circulating fluidized bed (600lb of solids inventory, 650°C and 30 psig)
High Pressure/high temperature Parr reactors
Special high temperature reactor capabilities (1100°C fixed bed, 900 °C Fluid bed)
Special materials of construction (Refractory lined or special alloy for temperature, erosion, and corrosion)

Technologies

  • Hydrotreating
  • Gas to Liquid
  • Chemicals
  • Gasification
  • Partial Oxidation
  • Heavy Oil / Residuum upgrading