Altamira BenchCAT Custom Catalyst Evaluation System
| Brand | Altamira Instruments (USA) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Beijing, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Model | BenchCAT Custom Catalyst Evaluation System |
| Reaction Pressure | 300 bar |
| Reaction Temperature | 1200 °C |
| Catalyst Loading Capacity | mL- to L-scale configurable |
Overview
The Altamira BenchCAT Custom Catalyst Evaluation System is a fully integrated, benchtop-scale catalytic reaction platform engineered for precise kinetic analysis, catalyst screening, and process development under industrially relevant conditions. Built upon Couette-type fixed-bed microreactor architecture with high-fidelity temperature and pressure control, the system enables quantitative measurement of reaction rates, selectivity, deactivation behavior, and mass/heat transfer effects across gas-phase, liquid-phase, and multiphase catalytic processes. Designed in collaboration between Altamira Instruments (Pittsburgh, PA, USA) and Jingwei Gaobo Instrument Co., Ltd. (Beijing), the BenchCAT platform adheres to ASME BPVC Section VIII Div. 1 pressure vessel standards for all high-pressure modules and incorporates dual-zone furnace technology for axial thermal uniformity ±1 °C over 300 mm active length.
Key Features
- Modular reactor configuration supporting mL-scale microreactors (ID ≤ 6 mm) and L-scale pilot reactors (ID ≥ 25 mm) with interchangeable quartz or Inconel 625 reactor tubes
- Full-range pressure operation from vacuum to 300 bar, certified per ISO 15848-1 for fugitive emission control and equipped with redundant pressure transducers (0.05% FS accuracy)
- High-temperature capability up to 1200 °C with programmable ramp rates (0.1–20 °C/min), calibrated traceable to NIST SRM 1750a
- Integrated mass flow controllers (MFCs) for up to 6 independent gas streams (N₂, H₂, CO, CO₂, O₂, CH₄), each with 0–100 sccm and 0–1000 sccm ranges and <±0.5% reading accuracy
- Real-time effluent analysis interface compatible with GC-TCD/FID, FTIR, MS, and online Raman systems via standardized 1/4″ Swagelok ports and heated transfer lines (up to 250 °C)
- Fail-safe architecture including burst disc protection, emergency shutdown logic (ESD), and SIL2-compliant interlock sequencing per IEC 61511
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The BenchCAT system accommodates heterogeneous catalysts in powder, extrudate, pellet, monolith, and coated-wall configurations. Reactor internals are chemically resistant to H₂S, NH₃, Cl₂, SOₓ, and hydrocarbon condensates at elevated temperatures. All wetted parts meet ASTM A269 TP316L requirements; high-pressure fittings conform to EN 1515-2 and ASME B16.11. The system supports compliance workflows for GLP (OECD 150), GMP (FDA 21 CFR Part 11), and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation—audit-ready electronic logs include full parameter traceability, user authentication, and immutable timestamped event records.
Software & Data Management
Control and data acquisition are managed via Altamira’s CATControl v4.2 software, a Windows-based application compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (electronic signatures, audit trail, role-based access). Real-time visualization includes multi-channel trend plots, automated step-change protocols, and on-the-fly calculation of turnover frequency (TOF), space-time yield (STY), and Arrhenius activation energy. Raw data export supports CSV, HDF5, and ASTM E1710-compliant .catalyst formats. Optional integration with MATLAB® and Python APIs enables custom kinetic modeling (e.g., Langmuir-Hinshelwood, Mars-van Krevelen) and machine learning–driven catalyst performance mapping.
Applications
- Fischer–Tropsch synthesis optimization and cobalt/iron catalyst lifetime assessment
- Ammonia decomposition kinetics for hydrogen carrier evaluation
- CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol over Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃ under realistic pressure gradients
- Steam reforming catalyst stability testing under cyclic thermal loading (500–900 °C)
- Automotive three-way catalyst light-off characterization (T50/T90 determination)
- Electrocatalyst support interaction studies using co-fed H₂/O₂ mixtures under sub-stoichiometric conditions
FAQ
Is the BenchCAT system suitable for corrosive feedstocks such as HCl or HF-containing streams?
Yes—optional Hastelloy C-276 reactor liners and fluoropolymer-sealed valves are available for severe corrosion environments.
Can the system be validated for regulatory submission (e.g., EPA Method 25A or ISO 11843)?
Absolutely—the system meets hardware and software validation requirements for method-specific uncertainty budgets and provides IQ/OQ documentation templates aligned with ASTM E2500-13.
What level of automation is supported for unattended overnight operation?
The platform supports fully autonomous 72-hour sequences with automatic catalyst reduction, pretreatment, reaction cycling, and post-run purge—all monitored via remote web interface with SMS/email alerts on deviation events.
Does Altamira provide catalyst characterization add-ons (e.g., TPR, TPD, pulse chemisorption)?
Yes—integrated TPR/TPD modules with thermal conductivity detection and calibrated pulse injectors (0.1–10 µL) are available as factory-installed options or field retrofits.
How is temperature uniformity verified across the catalyst bed during high-temperature runs?
Each system undergoes axial thermocouple mapping (5-point profile) at 800 °C and 1200 °C prior to shipment; calibration certificates include spatial deviation reports referenced to ITS-90.
