Integrated microreactor and quantitative gas analysis system (CATLAB)

Tampere University Foundation sr (Tampere University, TAU) is about to execute a direct procurement of an integrated Hiden CATLAB microreactor and quantitative gas analysis system (CATLAB) from Hiden Analytical represented by Labsense Oy, Finland. The procurement object is an integrated bench-top microreactor and quantitative gas analysis system for rapid and reproducible catalysis studies and thermal analysis. The microreactor module is composed of a fixed bed quartz reactor tube with precise control of temperature and gas flows. The quantitative gas analysis module is a mass spectrometer (MS) for fast response real-time gas analysis, including gas sampling line with anti-condensation trace heating and less than 500 ms response time to changes in gas concentrations. Mass spectrometer range is between 0-200 amu with dual detector (faraday cup and SEM). Mass spectrometer sampling rate is up to 650 measurements per second. More importantly, the control of the microreactor and mass spectrometer is completely integrated in single software for MS-acquisition, temperature and gas control and pulsing to ensure synchronous measurement. In addition, this entire system including microreactor and mass spectrometer should be corrosion resistant for applications requiring analysis of corrosive feed streams.

According to the section 40 of the Act on Public Procurement and Concession Contracts 1397/2016 a contracting entity may opt for direct procurement if only a certain supplier can implement the procurement for a technical reason, or for a reason related to protecting an exclusive right; it shall be a further condition that there are no reasonable alternatives or substitute solutions, and that the absence of competition is not due to an artificial narrowing of the terms and conditions of the procurement. The contracting unit carried out a thorough market survey, with the outcome that only one supplier can meet the demands and requirements. CATLAB to be purchased is a combined bench-top microreactor and mass spectrometer (MS) system for rapid and reproducible catalysis studies and thermal analysis. The module 1 of this system is a bench-top microreactor used for fixed bed catalytic thermochemical reactions, which mainly contains microreactor with accurate temperature and various gas inlets controlling. In the market, a catalytic thermochemical reactor can be manufactured through furnace suppliers according to customization. But the furnace supplier will need to equip corresponding gas inlets and mixing, gas stream switches and manifolds with accurate temperature monitoring and control. Especially, there will be a 7 mm internal diameter vertical quartz reactor tube in microreactor, so accurate determination using “in-bed” thermocouple is required. More importantly, this microreactor should be corrosion resistant for some corrosive feed streams. Currently, there is no standard product in the market to meet these requirements. The module 2 of this system is a mass spectrometer for fast response real-time gas analysis. In the market, there are different types of mass spectrometers. To analyze a wide range of gas products from the microreactor, an appropriate integration of mass spectrometer is critically required to ensure synchronous measurement, including the gas sampling line with anti-condensation trace heating, rapid response less than 500 ms. Particularly, precise software control is important for both microreactor experimental control, mass spectrometer data acquisition, analysis and display. In the market, there are no specific mass spectrometer and software for this microreactor. Therefore, it is necessary to purchase this integrated microreactor and mass spectrometer system from only one supplier with unique features and special know-hows to meet the above procurement requirements. The Hiden Analytical CATLAB could exactly provide its unique microreactor and mass spectrometer system with completely integrated control and software for MS-acquisition, temperature and gas control and pulsing in single software package. It also features an integrated analysis software for catalysis and TPD measurements. Other unique features include: • Reactor bypass channel for gas flow setup and mixture preparation independent of the protected sample environment. • Linear, vertical quartz reactor tube with independent cartridge-style sample holder for fast sample changeover with positive relocation. • Integrated dual-function pulsing valve with user-changeable sample loop volumes for single or multiple pulsing of the absorbate gas and for fast primary gas stream switchover. • Fully pre-programmable and automated analysis cycles to control ramp rates, temperature range, temperature dwell periods, gas flows, pulse switching and mass spectrometer parameters. • “In-bed” thermocouple mounted directly within the sample for the most accurate determination of sample temperature. • Close coupled gas sampling line with the mass spectrometer gas takeoff just 1 cm downstream from the sample for synchronous measurement of desorbing gases with temperature. • Choice of different reactor sizes (4mm, 7mm and 12 mm ID). • 2m heated (controllable up to 200°C) quartz lined capillary sampling line length. Mass spectrometer can be easily detached for use off-line. User exchangeable inlet liner for easy maintenance. • Mass spectrometer range between 0-200 amu, and with dual detector (faraday cup and SEM) • Mass spectrometer sampling rates up to 650 measurements per second. • < 500 ms response time to changes in gas concentrations. • APSI-MS Soft ionisation mode to minimise fragmentation of complex molecules for spectral simplification and interpretation. Controllable down to <10 eV and up to 80 eV at 0.2 eV increments, and in same scans. • Source emission settable between 1 µA to 500 µA.