Operating principle of High Pressure Flow Controller which allows catalyst screening at varied pressures

Importance of the topic

Precise control of reaction pressure and temperature is critical for evaluating catalyst performance. Decoupling reactor pressure from chromatography conditions prevents degraded separation and ensures reliable data during high-pressure catalyst screening.

Objectives and Study Overview

This technical note describes the operating principle of a high-pressure flow controller (HP-3050FC) designed to independently regulate reactor pressure and GC column head pressure. The goal is to enable catalyst screening at pressures up to 3.5 MPa without compromising chromatographic quality.

Methodology

The system combines two mass flow controllers (MF-1 and MF-2) for carrier and reaction gases with two back-pressure regulators (BP-1 and BP-2). BP-1 sets the reactor pressure while BP-2 stabilizes column head pressure. An open split interface directs the effluent to GC or MS. A high-pressure safety controller continuously monitors line pressures and triggers an automatic shutdown upon detecting abnormal conditions.

Used Instrumentation

• MF-3050 Mass Flow Controllers (MF-1, MF-2)
• BP-3050 Back-Pressure Regulators (BP-1, BP-2)
• Restrictor and Open Split Interface
• High-Pressure Safety Controller
• μ-Reactor Rx-3050TR
• Gas Chromatograph (GC) and Mass Spectrometer (MS)

Main Results and Discussion

The independent pressure control scheme maintained a constant column head pressure even when reactor pressure varied up to 3.5 MPa. This prevented peak broadening and preserved chromatographic resolution. The approach demonstrated robust performance and reproducibility across a range of high-pressure screening conditions.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Allows high-pressure catalyst evaluation without compromising GC separation
• Automates pressure adjustments to increase screening throughput
• Enhances operational safety through automatic overpressure shutdown

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Integration with automated reactor arrays and advanced data analytics could accelerate catalyst discovery workflows. Expanding the controller to liquid-phase reactors and coupling with real-time spectroscopic techniques may further broaden its utility in industrial and academic research.

Conclusion

The HP-3050FC high-pressure flow controller effectively decouples reactor and GC pressures, ensuring reliable chromatographic performance during high-pressure catalyst screening. Its adoption enhances both data quality and safety in advanced reaction analysis.

References

• Frontier Laboratories Ltd. HP-3050FC Brochure.
• Technical Note RXT-001E: High-Pressure Flow Controller Operating Principle.