Flow Reactor (FR)

Advanced Catalyst Evaluation

  • Real time results with the highest accuracy and reproducibility
  • Automated execution of multiple programmed experiments including complete data acquisition
  • Flexible configuration to address key reactions: Fischer-Tropsch, ammonia synthesis/decomposition, methanol synthesis, steam/dry reforming, Sabatier process, hydrogenation, and more.

Overview

The FR system from Micromeritics is a bench-top turn-key flow reactor that provides:

A full range of process conditions

  • Reaction conditions up to 1000 °C and 200 bar including patented wide-range control valves with stable control resolution to 0.1 bar
  • Up to 6 gas and 2 liquid feed streams
  • Continuously measured gas or liquid output streams with ultra-low dead volume including patented liquid/gas or liquid/liquid gas separators

A system that is quick to deploy and simple to use

  • Automated software for completely unattended operation
  • Integrated safety systems featuring alarms, fail-safes, and automated response to undesired conditions
  • Benchtop system that allows testing catalyst samples from a few miligrams to several grams

De-risk your scale-up and shorten your development schedule with the FR system that matches your process.

Features

1
Thermostated environmental chamber
2

Interchangeable reactors

3
Reactor Furnaces
4
Liquid feed
5
Touchscreen
6

Six Gas Inlets

7
Liquid-gas separators
8
Pressure-control Valve
9
Automatic six port valves

1. Thermostated environmental chamber

provides a stable isothermal process zone to eliminate condensation of vapors and provide long-term process stability.

2.Interchangeable reactors

enable processes up to 1000°C and 200 bar in materials that are suitable for a wide variety of reaction chemistries and low bed volume, simplifying the transition from bench- to flow reactor.

3. Independently-controlled reactor furnaces

(FR-100: single, FR-200: dual) provide stable, uniform temperature control up to 1000°C.

4.Liquid Feed

Liquid feed can be controlled through HPLC or syringe pumps for precise input flow control.

5.Touchscreen

The large full-color touchscreen provides simple real-time status display and modification of system settings.

6. Six Gas Inlets

Up to six gas inlets with precision mass flow controllers provide complete flexibility and control of process inputs.

7. Patented Liquid-gas and Liquid-gas Separators

provide effective product separation, less than 1 cc dead volume, and continuous output flow without accumulation (US Pat 7,895,891 B2).

8. Pressure-control Valve

Patented pressure-control valve provides stable control with a unique combination of wide dynamic range, high resolution, and ultra-low dead volume for any stream type.

  • ambient to 200 bar
  • 0.1 bar control resolution
  • gas, liquid, or multiphase streams

9.Automatic Six Port Valves

for different flow paths such us reactor bypass or upflow/downflow operation.

Why Flow Reactor (FR)?

Safety

The FR includes multiple levels of safety features that make the system simple to deploy and safe to operate. Additional safety features such as automatic shut-off valves and gas detectors are available to add as appropriate.

Alarms and Notifications

  • User-defined alarm values
  • Two-way communication with laboratory safety systems

Redundancy and Isolation

  • Redundant thermocouples for high temperature alarms
  • Safety system is separated from PC to provide uninterrupted communication integrity

Automated Response

  • Automatic shutdown in critical safety scenarios
  • Actively cool and ventilate the process zone to safe conditions

Onboard touchscreen

enables convenient view and modification of all system controls.

Software

Process@ Software And Experiment Viewer

  • PROCESS@ is a user-friendly real-time control and data acquisition software based on LabVIEW
  • Program complete processes for unattended operation, including conditional logic to adjust process conditions in real-time
  • Monitoring and data acquisition for process and control variables
  • Graphic and data visualization
  • Complete data records store all control and measured signals through the duration of the program
  • Simple export to facilitate additional data analysis

Equipment Options

System Configurations

The FR-200 includes all the capabilities of the FR-100 with two independently-controlled reactors. Three available configurations of the FR-200 enable reactor flows of increasing complexity to mimic even the most intricate reactor process flows.

  • FR-200 DUO

    Both reactors in series with final liquid / gas separation

    Both reactors in series with intermediate liquid/gas separation

    Single reactor in flow (1 or 2)

    Both reactors bypass

  • FR-200 TWIN

    Both reactors in series (R1 and R2)

    One reactor in flow (R1 or R2) while the other regenerates

    One reactor in flow (regeneration) while the other is bypassed

    One reactor in flow while the other is bypassed

    Both reactors bypassed

  • FR-200 PARALLEL

    Both reactors in parallel

    Both reactors in parallel and L/G Sep 1 in bypass

    Both reactors in series

    Both reactors in series and L/G Sep bypassed

    One reactor in bypass while other is in flow

    Analysis of the raw material 1 or 2

    Both reactors bypassed

  • MULTI CATALYST REACTORS (MR)

    Automated 4 or 8 Independent, Parallel Lab Reactors in One Unit

    Due to its high throughput testing capabilities the highly versatile computer-controlled Micromeritics Multi Catalyst Reactor (MR) series enables scientists to accelerate catalyst research: The Micromeritics MR 4 or MR 8 evaluation units provide capabilities to investigate 120 kinetic data points per week. Researchers can comprehensively measure the activity and selectivity of heterogenous catalysts for screening and kinetic studies.

    The automated MR 4 and MR 8 provide operational flexibility for determining optimal reaction conditions and understanding operational challenges for a wide range of applications. Due to the units’ high level of flexibility and gas or optional liquids feeding systems, the MR 4 or MR 8 can be configured to individual application needs: reaction and regeneration, for example, can be carried in-situ and at consecutive stages thanks to the precise temperature-control and feeding system.

    The Micromeritics MR 4 or MR 8 are easily integrated with a range of analytics including chromatography and spectroscopy and are operated or monitored via a user-friendly software that makes experimental study definitions easy.

    Catalyst Testing Rates of 120 Kinetic Data Points a Week Save Time and Resources During Screening

    Key Features:

    • Fully automated modular system optimized for catalyst screening and providing reliable test studies
    • Configurable to individual application needs ensures a high level of flexibility
    • Flow reactor design accommodates both, extrudates and powders
    • Inert reactor chamber made of quartz to avoid undesirable side-reactions
    • Gas and optional liquids feeding systems allow the MR-4 and MR-8 to be used for a wide range of applications
    • Easily integrated with a range of analytics including chromatography and spectroscopy
    • User-friendly software for defining experimental studies and continuous monitoring of the system

     

    The high productivity catalyst evaluation units are available in multiple configurations:

    • Micromeritics Multi Catalyst Reactor MR 4 and MR 8: Fully automated, computer-controlled catalyst evaluation unit with 4 or8 micro reactors for highly flexible screening studies
    • Additional configurations are available on request: The number of reactors can be customized to your catalyst screening studies along with independent individual reactor control for kinetic studies and process design.

    MR 4 and MR 8 multi catalyst reactors support the following studies

    • Automated catalyst evaluation
    • Parallel reaction screening
    • Reaction kinetics Hydrogenation
    • Reforming
    • Hydrocarbon upgrading
    • Catalytic conversion
    • Methane activation
    • Liquids derived from biomass, plastic, or tires valorization
    • Selective oxidation and partial oxidation
  • CUSTOM REACTOR ENGINEERING

    Want to move beyond the capabilities of the FR-series? The Micromeritics custom reactor engineering team has more than 25 years experience developing high-performance custom reactors and small-scale pilot plots.

    • Custom mini pilot plants
    • Up to 50 g typical catalyst capacity
    • Automated 24/7 operation
    • Pre-designed modular components reduce construction time and cost

    Example Processes

    • Hydrotreating/Reforming/Cracking
    • Biofuel Production
    • Exhaust/Emission studies
    • Gasification and Pyrolysis
    • Super-critical extraction

Applications

Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

Liquid Hydrocarbons & Wax Liquid fuels and other chemical products can be...

+
Ammonia

Ammonia

Synthesis/ Decomposition The Haber-Bosch process, is an artificial nitrogen fixation process and...

+
Methanol Synthesis

Methanol Synthesis

And Higher Alcohols One route to produce methanol is characterized by the...

+
Reforming

Reforming

Steam & Dry Steam methane reforming (SMR) is a process in which...

+
Sabatier Process

Sabatier Process

Methane Production The Sabatier Process produces methane and water from a reaction...

+
Hydrogenation & Dehydrogenation

Hydrogenation & Dehydrogenation

Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another compound, usually in...

+

Download "FLOW REACTOR DESIGNS" Brochure

to learn more about our Solutions For Major Industrial Processes

Capabilities

System
FR-100 FR-200
Number of Reactors 1 2
Automatic High Pressure Liquid/Gas Separator 1
Optional:1
Duo/Twin: 1
Parallel: 2
Reactor 800 ℃
SST 316
9.1 mmID
800°C
SST 316
9.1 mm ID
Pressure (bar) Standard:100
Optional:200
Standard:100
Optional:200
Gas Feed Standard:3
Optional:6
Standard:Duo: 3; Twin/Parallel: 4
Optional:6
Reactor Bypass Automatic Automatic
Optional
FR-100 FR-200
Number of Reactors 1 2
Automatic High Pressure Liquid/Gas Separator 1
Optional:1
Duo/Twin: 1
Parallel: 2
Reactor 800 ℃
SST 316
9.1 mmID
800°C
SST 316
9.1 mm ID
Pressure (bar) Standard:100
Optional:200
Standard:100
Optional:200
Gas Feed Standard:3
Optional:6
Standard:Duo: 3; Twin/Parallel: 4
Optional:6
Reactor Bypass Automatic Automatic
Up/down flow selection valve N/A
Wax Trap 1 2
Fluidized Bed Reactor 1 1
Liquid Multisampler 2 4
Additional Reactors Quartz and special alloys
5, 13, 17, 23 mm ID
Quartz and special alloys
5, 13, 17, 23 mm ID

Provided specifications were valid as taken from available documents at time of publication. These specifications may change without notice and are only provided as a general reference

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