New Capabilities for Processing Biomaterials With a Tandem Micro-Reactor GC/MS System for Catalysis Research

The tandem micro-reactor is designed for rapid evaluation and characterization of catalyst systems. Three modes of operation allow different experiments to be conducted on the same equipment. The GC/MS can operate in an on-line MS mode for continuous analysis of gases from the catalyst bed. Alternatively, the GC/MS can operate in several integrated high resolution GC/MS modes for step-wise experiments on gases from the catalyst bed. A single-shot mode allows the analysis of a gas, liquid or solid sample. The system consists of an upper micro-furnace and lower micro-reactor each with independent temperature and reaction gas control. The micro-furnace can accept solid or viscous liquid samples in a batch sampling mode with catalysis occurring under different conditions in the micro-reactor. The micro-reactor is designed to allow a quick change of the catalyst bed. Batch or continuous experiments can be performed with this system to evaluate both catalyst performance and to characterize catalysis products. Provisions are also designed into the system to allow catalyst regeneration and evaluation during this step.  The applications include processing cellulose materials.