GC/MS-IT (ion trap) system (Trace ITQ 1100, Thermo Scientific)

This system is suited mainly for the identification of unknown components in less complex samples or for monitoring of target compounds in impure matrices. Its MSn technique allows to routinely test for compounds that cannot typically be detected with other GC/MS techniques. MSn provides the ultimate in selectivity for target analytes, eliminating false positives and false negatives.

Comprehensive GCxGC/MS-TOF (time of flight) system

The system (Pegasus 4D, Leco) with a cryogenic jet modulator, which is suited for a variety of applications, including the analysis of complex matrices such as petroleum fractions or various natural products that are difficult to analyze by conventional one-dimensional GC or GC/MS techniques. The efficient separation system enables to separate the components of the sample both on the basis of their boiling point and their polarity. Supported by the highperformance software, it for exmple does the group-type analyses of petroleum products based on the number of benzene rings or the number of carbon atoms in the side alkyl chains of aromatics. The separated groups may also be quantified and visualized in the 2D or 3D format.

Bench-top HPLC/MS system

The combination of ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC, Dionex + Orbitrap Exactive Plus, Thermo Scientific) on the normal and reversephase columns with high resolution mass spectrometry will be the powerful tool for separation, identification and quantification of components and their groups in the most complex samples, mainly from the biomass processing. Thanks to its Orbitrap mass analyzer, the Exactive Plus system delivers highresolution, accurate-mass full-scan MS for fast, precise and reproducible results and tremendous analytical confidence. System will be equipped by various ionization techniques for different types of organic compounds. The extremely high resolution of the MS detector will also enable the user to analyze samples by direct injection without LC separation.Moreover, all hyphenated techniques (GC,LC/MS) can find their application also in other fields, such as water and waste analysis, environmental protection, food safety, pharmacy, biochemistry etc.

Photogallery of CATPRO Infrastructure (4)

Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography with Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer LECO Pegasus 4D GCxGC-TOFMS

Thermo Scientific™ ITQ™ Series GC-Ion Trap MS System

Experimental units for evaluation of catalytic activity

At the heart of the infrastructure is a set of various-size dedicated bench-scale flow units allowing investigation of heterogeneous catalysts and catalytic processes in the fixed-bed mode. They can be operated in a wide range of reaction conditions - temperature up to 600 °C, pressure up to 20 MPa and utility gases H₂, H₂/H₂S, N₂, air and ethylene from gas pipeline and any other from gas cylinders. The units can be divided into two basic groups - units using sulphur-containing feedstocks (i.e. for hydrotreating and hydrocracking processes and catalysts testing) and units using only sulphur-free feedstocks (i.e. hydrogenation and isomerization processes using typically noble metal catalysts as well as other reactions e.g. condensation reactions, CO conversion reactions, partial oxidation, etc.). The flow units are fully automated and operated by experienced staff 24/7. They can be divided also based on the amount of catalyst they use into small units (5 to 20 g catalyst) and large units (100 to 200 g catalyst). The reactors are built by the company Parr.

In addition, the infrastructure includes also an adsorption unit, a distillation and microreactor unit.

Microreactor unit consists from six independent reactors. Construction material is SS316. The volume of catalyst can be from 1 ml to 10 ml. Operating pressure is in the range 10 to 195 bar, operating temperature is up to 500 °C in down-flow and isothermal mode. Each reactor has own preheater, maximum operating temperature is 350 °C. Each microreactor houses three gas lines: high flow Hydrogen and Nitrogen (max. 100 Nl/h), low flow hydrogen (max. 2 Nl/h) and hydrocarbon (max. 50 Nl/h). The liquid feed section is designed to handle feedstock showing viscosity higher than 100mPas. Flow rate of feed can be from 3 to 150 ml/h. Liquid feed line is designed to handle temperature from 0 to 100 °C. The outlet effluent from the microreactor is routed to the high pressure separator for gas/liquid separation. Separation temperature is regulated from 0 to 100 °C.

Chromatographs (GCs) for analyses of gases and liquids

The infrastructure is equipped also with gas chromatographs ensuring immediate analysis of the products and a feedback for the operation of the experimental units. The chromatographs consist of seven single or dual channel GCs (Agilent) equipped both by packed and capillary columns that can be connected to the experimental units to provide on-line analysis of gaseous effluents from various chemical processes – hydrogenation, hydrodesulphurization, cracking processes, hydrocracking, isomerization, deoxygenation, Fischer-Tropsch process etc. Furthermore, there are six dual channel GCs (Agilent 7890) equipped by capillary columns and various injection modes (split/splitless/on-column) that provide operational at line analysis of a wide range of liquid products. The set of GC instruments is completed by two dedicated GCs for the simulated distillation (SIMDIS) method useful when analysis complex products, e.g. from hydrocracking. Moreover, the infrastructure for detailed product identification is described below.

Photogallery of CATPRO Infrastructure (3)

Batch Stirred-tank Reactor Parr HP/HT 4570

Continuous Stirred-tank Reactor (CSTR) Parr 4547A

Experimental Units

GC System Agilent 7890A

Infinity Quaternary LC System Agilent 1260

VINCI microreactors