ChemSCAN

Fully customisable parallel high-pressure catalyst screening — three levels of automation, up to 8 reactor zones

The ChemSCAN family is a range of parallel high-pressure reactor systems for catalyst screening, reaction optimization and high-throughput experimentation. Three platforms — ChemSCAN SA, ChemSCAN and ChemSCAN+ — span semi-automatic to automatic control of up to eight independently controlled reactors, with real-time gas-consumption measurement for every vessel.

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ChemSCANChemSCANChemSCAN

Up to 8
Independent reactors
3 platforms
SA · ChemSCAN · ChemSCAN+
Up to 200 bar
Pressure (100 bar standard)
Up to 200+ °C
Temperature (−40 °C option)
Real-time
Gas uptake per vessel
From 2 mL
Working volume
Optional
Controlled high-pressure liquid feeds

The ChemSCAN family

The ChemSCAN family is a scalable suite of parallel high-pressure reactor platforms for catalyst screening and process optimization. Every reactor measures gas consumption as the reaction runs, giving direct kinetic data, and each zone holds its own temperature and stirring — so up to eight conditions can be compared in a single run. Three platforms match the level of automation to your work, and you can upgrade as your workflows evolve.

Semi-automatic (upgradable)

ChemSCAN SA

Semi-automatic control of up to 8 reactor zones, enabling simultaneous operation with independent temperature and stirring, and manually controlled pressure, feeds and venting in each reactor. Cost-effective parallel screening, upgradable as needed.

Automatic

ChemSCAN

Automatic control of up to 8 reactor zones, enabling simultaneous operation with true independent temperature and stirring, as well as controlled pressure profiling across reactors.

Automatic

ChemSCAN+

Automatic control of up to 8 zones. Truly independent operation with individual temperature, stirring and variable pressure control across reactors — independent feeding, venting and purging in each reactor.

Instrument comparison

Feature ChemSCAN SA ChemSCAN ChemSCAN+
Automation level Semi-automatic (upgradable) Automatic Automatic
Temperature control Independent Independent Independent
Pressure control Manual, independent Automated, independent Automated, independent
Gas feeds Inert and reactive, shared, manually controlled. Option for additional reactive gas Inert and reactive, shared, automatically controlled. Option for additional reactive gas Inert and reactive, independent per reactor, automatically controlled. Option for additional reactive gas
Liquid feeds 1, variable, independent 1, variable, independent 1, variable, independent
Reactor zones Up to 8 Up to 8 Up to 8
Best for Basic screens Optimization DoE & advanced catalysis

Screen → Optimize → Advanced automated independent control. Every platform is fully customisable to your requirements — talk to a specialist about the right configuration.

Key specifications

Each ChemSCAN platform is available in 4- and 8-zone configurations. Specifications below are per platform; all systems are customisable to your chemistry and workflow.

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Compare
Specification ChemSCAN SA ChemSCAN ChemSCAN+
Reactor zones 4 or 8 4 or 8 4 or 8
Reactor vessel volume sizes 16, 25, 50, 75, 150, 300 or 500 mL 4-zone
16, 25 or 50 mL 8-zone		 16, 25, 50, 75, 150, 300 or 500 mL 4-zone
16, 25 or 50 mL 8-zone		 16, 25, 50, 75, 150, 300 or 500 mL 4-zone
16, 25 or 50 mL 8-zone
Low-volume screening CAT 18 and CAT 24 assemblies, 0.2 – 1.3 mL 4-zone only CAT 18 and CAT 24 assemblies, 0.2 – 1.3 mL 4-zone only CAT 18 and CAT 24 assemblies, 0.2 – 1.3 mL 4-zone only
Working volume 2 – 400 mL4-zone
2 – 40 mL8-zone		 2 – 400 mL4-zone
2 – 40 mL8-zone		 2 – 400 mL4-zone
2 – 40 mL8-zone
Temperature range Ambient – 200+ °C (−40 °C option with circulator) Ambient – 200+ °C (−40 °C option with circulator) 25 – 200 °C (−40 °C option with circulator)
Gas feed Inert and reactive, manually controlled in each reactor. Option for additional reactive gas Inert and reactive, shared across all reactors, automatically controlled. Option for additional reactive gas Inert and reactive, independent on each reactor, automatically controlled. Option for additional reactive gas
Pressure range 1–100 bar (200 bar optional) 1–100 bar (200 bar optional) 1–100 bar (200 bar optional)
Stirring speed 120–1500 rpm (reaction media dependent) 120–1500 rpm (reaction media dependent) 120–1500 rpm (reaction media dependent)
Stirring Magnetic agitation or overhead motorized stirring Magnetic agitation or overhead motorized stirring Magnetic agitation or overhead motorized stirring
Vessel material Stainless steel (SS316) or Hastelloy (HC276) Stainless steel (SS316) or Hastelloy (HC276) Stainless steel (SS316) or Hastelloy (HC276)
Vessel rating 200 bar, 350 °C 200 bar, 350 °C 200 bar, 350 °C
Liquid feed Optional Optional Optional
Sensors Temperature, pH, DO, conductivity, redox — lid takes 4 ports (M40) or 5 (M75) Temperature, pH, DO, conductivity, redox — lid takes 4 ports (M40) or 5 (M75) Temperature, pH, DO, conductivity, redox — lid takes 4 ports (M40) or 5 (M75)
Liquid flow rate 0.02–40 mL/min @ 100 bar; 0.01–20 mL/min @ 200 bar 0.02–40 mL/min @ 100 bar; 0.01–20 mL/min @ 200 bar 0.02–40 mL/min @ 100 bar; 0.01–20 mL/min @ 200 bar

Working volumes down to 2 mL are possible in the 16 mL vessel, depending on your chemistry and impellor choice — useful where catalyst is scarce or expensive. Speak to a specialist to confirm the lowest volume for your application.

Working volume by vessel9 vessel and CAT options, 0.2 – 400 mL
16 mL 2 – 12 mL
25 mL 7 – 20 mL
50 mL 9 – 40 mL
75 mL 10.5 – 55 mL
150 mL 10.5 – 100 mL
300 mL 18.5 – 250 mL
500 mL 125 – 400 mL
CAT18 (18 vials) 0.2 – 1.3 mL
CAT24 (24 vials) 0.2 – 1.3 mL

Vessels of 75 mL and above, and both CAT systems, fit 4-zone platforms only. 50 mL and below use magnetic stirring, 75 mL and above use overhead; impellor options are PTFE anchor, metal narrow or magnetic anchor.

Applications

Catalyst screeningHydrogenationProcess optimizationScale-up

Software, control & safety

ChemSCAN runs on a user-friendly interface designed for both new and experienced users, with real-time monitoring and automation via live sensor data and feedback control. A predefined gas-uptake workflow is included for quick setup and consistent analysis, and a flexible protocol builder lets you save custom workflows — from simple runs to complex sequences.

Automatic, user-configurable reaction-detection and shutdown procedures protect the operator, with a compact manifold for easy manual purge and pressurization. Automatic hardware and software fail-safes are installed on every system, alongside built-in interlocks and emergency pressure relief.

See our application notes for worked ChemSCAN examples.

Frequently asked questions

What is ChemSCAN used for?
The ChemSCAN family is a range of parallel high-pressure reactor systems for catalyst screening, reaction optimization and high-throughput experimentation — running up to eight independently controlled reactors at once. Three platforms are available: ChemSCAN SA (semi-automatic), ChemSCAN (automatic) and ChemSCAN+ (automatic, with independent gas control on every reactor).
What is the difference between ChemSCAN SA, ChemSCAN and ChemSCAN+?
Automation, gas feeds and how the reactors operate. ChemSCAN SA is semi-automatic and upgradable — independent temperature and stirring in every zone, with pressure, feeds and venting controlled manually, and each reactor operating independently. ChemSCAN is automatic, with the reactors operating simultaneously under a shared, automated gas feed. ChemSCAN+ is automatic with each reactor operating independently, so it can be fed, vented and purged on its own. All three take inert and reactive gas, with the option of an additional reactive gas feed, and all run up to 8 zones.
Is it automated?
It depends on the platform. ChemSCAN and ChemSCAN+ are automated, with feedback control for efficient, reproducible research; ChemSCAN+ adds independent pressure and gas control per reactor. ChemSCAN SA gives semi-automatic control — independent temperature and stirring with manual pressure profiling — as a lower-cost route into parallel screening. (H.E.L also offers manual high-pressure screening via the separate CAT reactor range.)
How many reactions can it run in parallel?
Up to 8 independently controlled reactor zones, each with real-time gas-consumption measurement. For low-volume screening, 4-zone platforms also take the CAT 18 and CAT 24 assemblies, giving 18 or 24 vials at 0.2 – 1.3 mL.
What pressure and temperature can it reach?
Up to 200 bar (100 bar standard), and ambient to 200+ °C — −40 °C is available as an option with a circulator.
What volumes does it handle?
Vessels from 16 to 500 mL, with working volumes from 2 mL up to 400 mL. Working volumes down to 2 mL are possible in the 16 mL vessel depending on chemistry and impellor choice — speak to a specialist to confirm the lowest volume for your application. Every platform in the range uses the same reactors, so the minimum working volume is the same across ChemSCAN SA, ChemSCAN and ChemSCAN+. For lower volumes still, 4-zone platforms take the CAT 18 and CAT 24 assemblies at 0.2 – 1.3 mL.
Is it customisable to my chemistry?
Yes. Vessel material (316 stainless steel or Hastelloy C276), volumes, agitation and compatibility with H.E.L CAT systems are all configured to your process. Customisation is central to H.E.L’s approach.

Selected publications

Benzene hydrogenation utilizing organometallic early transition metal precursorsReece Johnson et al. · Catalysis Science & Technology · 2024First Total Synthesis and Structural Confirmation of C13-Butylrubber OligomersFabrizio Minicone et al. · European Journal of Organic Chemistry · 2018Production of Biomass-Based Automotive Lubricants by Reductive EtherificationJadhav et al. · ChemSusChem · 2017

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Explore the catalysis range

FlowCATFlowCATContinuous-flow high-pressure reactorView →Catalyst ScreeningCatalyst ScreeningManual & automated parallel screeningView →

Related reading

Catalysis Accelerated: How the H.E.L ChemSCAN is Revolutionizing High-Pressure ResearchRead article →Why Supported Catalyst Screening Systems Matter More Than Ever in 2026Read article →Hydrogenation: How we can make it saferRead article →

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“…we are very satisfied… the handling and programming is quite easy. It is for this reason that we bought a second HP ChemSCAN.” — Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse (LIKAT Rostock), 8 years

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