Catalyst Screening

High-pressure catalyst screening — manual CAT to automated PolyCAT

Across the CAT, DigiCAT, and PolyCAT ranges, users can select the level of automation and throughput required for their application. From simple manual screening to fully automated parallel experimentation, these systems provide scalable solutions for catalyst development and process optimization.

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Catalyst ScreeningCatalyst ScreeningCatalyst ScreeningCatalyst ScreeningCatalyst Screening
7 to 96
Parallel reactions
Manual → automated
Choose your level
Up to 200 bar
Pressure
Up to 250 °C
Temperature
16–500 mL
Reactor volumes
Independent
PolyCAT reactor control

The range

CAT 7, CAT 18 & CAT 24

Manual high-pressure screening — a single pressure vessel holding 7, 18 or 24 glass vials, heated and stirred on a standard magnetic hotplate. All vials run at the same temperature and pressure. CAT 18/24 can integrate with a PolyBLOCK 4-zone for enhanced temperature control.

  • Parallel reactions7, 18 or 24 vials
  • Vial volume10 mL (7) / 2 mL (18) / ~1 mL (24)
  • TemperatureUp to 250 °C
  • PressureUp to 100 bar
  • AutomationManual

DigiCAT 96

High-throughput 96-well screening — a 96-well Zinsser block for 96 simultaneous reactions in a compact, high-specification format, ideal for early-stage development. Available fully automated or manual.

  • Parallel reactions96 (1 mL vials)
  • TemperatureAmbient to 200 °C
  • PressureUp to 100 bar
  • AutomationAutomated or manual
  • SoftwareWinISO control

PolyCAT 4

Automated parallel catalysis — four truly independent, fully customisable reactors for stirred high-pressure reactions with gas feeds (most commonly hydrogen). Each reactor has its own data file; individual mantles allow >100 °C difference between reactors.

  • Reactors4 independent
  • Volumes16–500 mL (SS316 / Hastelloy)
  • TemperatureAmbient to 200 °C (−40 option)
  • PressureUp to 200 bar each
  • AutomationFull WinISO control

PolyCAT 8

Automated parallel catalysis — eight independent reactors for higher-throughput screening and optimisation, with the same independent control and customisation as the PolyCAT 4.

  • Reactors8 independent
  • Volumes16–50 mL (SS316 / Hastelloy)
  • TemperatureAmbient to 200 °C (−40 option)
  • PressureUp to 200 bar each
  • AutomationFull WinISO control

Applications

Catalyst screeningHydrogenationReaction optimisationHigh-throughput experimentationProcess development

Software, control & safety

The DigiCAT and PolyCAT systems run on H.E.L’s WinISO software — data logging, multi-step recipes, parameter control and feedback loops — so you can run all reactors at the same conditions while varying catalyst or reagents, or run each reactor at different loads, pressures and temperatures.

Automatic, user-configurable reaction-detection and shutdown procedures protect the operator, with a compact manifold for easy manual purge and pressurization, and hardware and software fail-safes on every system.

See our application notes for worked screening examples.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between CAT, DigiCAT and PolyCAT?
CAT 7/18/24 are manual, vial-based high-pressure reactors; DigiCAT 96 is a high-throughput 96-well platform (automated or manual); PolyCAT 4 and 8 are fully automated systems with independently controlled reactors.
How many reactions can I run in parallel?
From 7, 18 or 24 vials on the CAT units, up to 96 on the DigiCAT 96, or 4 / 8 independent reactors on the PolyCAT systems.
What pressure and temperature can they reach?
Up to 100 bar / 250 °C on the manual CAT units; up to 100 bar and ambient–200 °C on the DigiCAT 96; and up to 200 bar with ambient–200 °C (−40 °C option) on the PolyCAT systems.
Manual or automated — which do I need?
Both are available: manual CAT reactors for simple, cost-effective screening, or automated DigiCAT / PolyCAT systems for higher throughput and independent reactor control.
What reactions are they used for?
High-pressure catalytic reactions with one or more gas feeds — most commonly hydrogenation — for catalyst screening and reaction optimisation.
Are they customisable?
Yes — the PolyCAT systems are truly independent and completely customisable (vessel material, volumes, agitation), and CAT 18/24 can integrate with a PolyBLOCK 4-zone. Customisation is central to H.E.L’s approach.

Selected publications

PdCu single atom alloys supported on alumina for the selective hydrogenation of furfuralIslam et al. · Applied Catalysis B · 2021Production of ethyl lactate by activated carbon-supported Sn and Zn oxide catalysts utilizing lignocellulosic side streamsKupila et al. · Applied Catalysis A · 2021Lignin-based activated carbon-supported metal oxide catalysts in lactic acid production from glucoseKupila et al. · Applied Catalysis A · 2021

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Explore the catalysis range

ChemSCANChemSCANAutomated parallel high-pressure catalyst screeningView →FlowCATFlowCATContinuous-flow high-pressure reactorView →

Related reading

Why Supported Catalyst Screening Systems Matter More Than Ever in 2026Read article →Hydrogenation: How we can make it saferRead article →How can automation and parallel systems improve chemical synthesis processes?Read article →

Ready to screen catalysts faster?

Talk to a specialist about the right level of automation and throughput for your work.

“Teva is using the H.E.L CAT 7 hydrogenation system… it can significantly reduce the time needed for selection of hydrogenation conditions… H.E.L CAT 7 was found to be a very useful choice for our R&D.” — Teva Czech Industries

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