Disclosed herein is an apparatus and a method for catalytic conversion of chemical substances in the presence of pulverulent catalysts in a trickle bed reactor with residence times in the range of 0.1-10 seconds, wherein the apparatus includes a trickle bed reactor (2), the inlet side of which is functionally connected to a catalyst reservoir vessel (1) and a reactant feed, and the outlet side of which is functionally connected to a separator (3). The separator (3) has an exit conduit for leading off product stream, wherein the apparatus has the characteristic feature that the exit conduit disposed on the separator (3) for leading off product stream has a continuously acting valve connected via a controller to a pressure measurement sensor, wherein the continuously acting valve and the pressure measurement sensor form a pressure control circuit with a controller.

Systems, methods, and compositions for high throughput screening of micro-scale chemical reactions are disclosed. In particular, systems, methods, and compositions for handling small amounts of solid reagent are disclosed. For example, mechanical mixing is employed to obtain reagent-coated bulking agents that can be used, inter alia, in high throughput methods for screening micro-scale chemical reactions.

A multi-channel direct-deposit assembly method is disclosed to high-throughput synthesize three-dimensional macroporous/mesoporous (3DMM) material array with precisely controlled composition, pore size, and pore structure. The macropore size of the synthesized 3DMM material is in the range of 50-1000 nm; the mesopore size of the synthesized 3DMM material is in the range of 1-50 nm. The surface area of the 3DMM material is in the range of 20-1000 m.sup.2/g. The 3DMM material array can be used for rapid synthesis, screening and manufacture of catalysts and nanosensors.

An apparatus suitable for investigating solid catalysts and processes in which discontinuous fluid streams arise, the apparatus including: a reactant fluid supply point; a reaction space; at least one fluid mixing space; at least one throttle element; at least one pressure control valve; and at least one analyzer. An outlet side of the reaction space is operatively connected to the fluid mixing space via a connecting line and a substream line. The fluid mixing space is connected to the throttle element. The throttle element is operatively connected to the analyzer and an outlet line. The connecting line is operatively connected to the pressure control valve and an exit air line. The pressure control valve is arranged either downstream or upstream of the substream line. When the pressure control valve is upstream of the substream line, the outlet line is provided with a second pressure control valve and a pump.

Metal oxide catalysts comprising various dopants are provided. The catalysts are useful as heterogenous catalysts in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane to C2 hydrocarbons such as ethane and ethylene. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.

Systems, methods, and compositions for high throughput screening of micro-scale chemical reactions are disclosed. In particular, systems, methods, and compositions for handling small amounts of solid reagent are disclosed. For example, mechanical mixing is employed to obtain reagent-coated bulking agents that can be used, inter alia, in high throughput methods for screening micro-scale chemical reactions.

The invention relates to a flow element for transferring fluids comprising a capillary cartridge (1) having an integrated capillary line (3). The capillary cartridge according to the invention (1) has a ring-shaped channel (8) and securing grooves (6, 6), wherein the flow element is characterized in that the capillary line (3) is arranged in the ring-shaped channel (8). The ends of the capillary lines (3) are connected to connection elements (9) in which securing grooves (6, 6) are secured in a positive locking manner. The flow elements according to the invention contribute toward improved manageability and effectiveness of components. In a preferred embodiment, the flow elements are used as a distribution system in the form of a plurality of capillary cartridges (1-1, 1-2, . . . ). Such distribution systems are of technical importance in the field of catalyst testing apparatuses with reactors arranged in parallel.

The invention provides a method for preparing a compound or a product having one or more characteristics that meet or exceed a user specification, the process comprising the step of selecting a first combination of chemical inputs, optionally together with physical inputs, and supplying those inputs to a reaction space, thereby to generate a first product; analyzing one or more characteristics of the product generated; comparing the one or more characteristics against a user specification; using a genetic algorithm selecting a second combination of chemical inputs, optionally together with physical inputs, wherein the second combination differs from the first combination, and supplying those inputs to the reaction space, thereby to generate a second product; analyzing one or more characteristics of the second product generated; comparing the one or more characteristics generated against the user specification; repeating the selecting and analyzing steps for further individual combinations of chemical and/or physical inputs, to provide an array of products wherein the flow chemistry system operates continuously to provide the first, second and further products, thereby to identify one or more products meeting or exceeding the user specification.

Metal oxide catalysts comprising various dopants are provided. The catalysts are useful as heterogenous catalysts in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane to C2 hydrocarbons such as ethane and ethylene. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.

A system for operating parallel reactors includes a plurality of reactor assemblies, each reactor assembly including: a flow-through reactor, a reactor feed line, a reactor effluent line, a primary fluid source, and a flow splitter which is arranged downstream of the primary fluid source and upstream of the reactor assemblies. All passive flow restrictors have an substantially equal resistance to fluid flow. A feed line pressure measurement device and a pressure control arrangement controls backpressure regulators such that the measured feed line pressure becomes substantially the same as a feed line pressure setpoint in the reactor assemblies.