Catalyst testing process and apparatus

A parallel reactor for evaluating a plurality of differing compositions for catalysis, the reactor comprising

• a plurality of candidate catalysts having differing compositions,
• a reaction chamber encasing the plurality of candidate catalysts, the reaction chamber being adapted such that the reaction chamber can be pressurized with a gas comprising one or more reactants to simultaneously contact the plurality of candidate catalysts under reaction conditions, and
• an infrared-transparent window in the reaction chamber, the infrared-transparent window and reactor chamber being adapted to allow for detection of infrared radiation emitted from the reaction catalyzed by each of the plurality of candidate catalysts through the infrared-transparent window during the course of a reaction to determine the relative efficacy of the plurality of candidate catalysts.

An apparatus for evaluating a plurality of differing compositions for catalysis, the apparatus comprising

• a parallel reactor comprising a plurality of candidate catalysts having differing compositions, a reaction chamber encasing the plurality of candidate catalysts, the reaction chamber being adapted such that the reaction chamber can be pressurized with a gas comprising one or more reactants to simultaneously contact the plurality of candidate catalysts under reaction conditions, the reaction chamber having an infrared-transparent window, and
• an infrared camera for simultaneously detecting infrared radiation emitted from the reaction catalyzed by each of the plurality of candidate catalysts through the infrared-transparent window during the course of a reaction to determine the relative efficacy of the plurality of candidate catalysts.

A parallel reactor for evaluating a plurality of differing compositions for catalysis, the reactor comprising

• a plurality of reaction channels comprising a plurality of candidate catalysts having differing compositions, the reaction channels being adapted such that a fluid comprising one or more reactants can simultaneously contact the plurality of candidate catalysts under reaction conditions, and
• an infrared-transparent window, the infrared-transparent window and reactor channels being adapted to allow for detection of infrared radiation emitted from the reaction catalyzed.