Fixed-bed reactor for catalytic studies on low-surface area materials

Comparability of information gathered by different methods is vital to enhance knowledge in heterogeneous catalysis. A new type of flow-reactor has been developed which enables the comparison between the detailed information gained by surface science methods and industrial catalysis, thus contributing to bridge the pressure and material gaps. The design allows for catalytic investigations of compact, low-surface area materials at temperatures and pressures up to 500 °C and 10 bar, respectively. Catalytic measurements on pressed pills of Pd₁₁Bi₂Se₂ in the semi-hydrogenation of acetylene and oriented single-crystalline slabs of InPd in methanol steam reforming are used as test cases for the reactor design. In the former, high-conversion of acetylene is demonstrated along with ensured inert sample transfer. In the latter, higher catalytic activity for the (110) surface is observed compared to the (100) and (111) surfaces. Most importantly, both test cases prove the viability of the reactor design, which opens new possibilities for studying different materials and systems.