Catalyst Screening

Fully customisable high-pressure catalyst screening — manual CAT to high-throughput DigiCAT

Across the CAT and DigiCAT ranges, users can select the level of throughput and automation required for their application. From simple manual screening to automated 96-well 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 100 bar
Pressure
Up to 250 °C
Temperature
1–10 mL
Vial volumes
SS316 / Hastelloy
Wetted materials

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, so replicates run within a single experiment. CAT 7 and CAT 24 have a coolant-chilled lid to limit vapour crossover between vials — CAT 7 using PTFE plugs, CAT 24 using cold fingers; CAT 18 has no cooled head. CAT 18 and CAT 24 can also run on a PolyBLOCK 4 platform.

  • Parallel reactions7, 18 or 24 vials
  • Vial volume10 mL (7) · 2 mL (18) · 4 mL (24)
  • Sample volume2–6 mL (7) · 0.5–1 mL (18) · 1–2 mL (24)
  • TemperatureUp to 250 °C (300 °C if pressure ≤10 bar g)
  • PressureUp to 100 bar
  • Materials316 stainless steel or Hastelloy C276
  • AutomationManual, or via the DigiCAT platform

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

DigiCAT platform

The bench platform that drives the CAT range — a digital stirring hotplate paired with a gas distribution back panel for inerting, reactive gas feed and venting. It also runs H.E.L’s small high-pressure reactors, and can be configured in parallel so one gas panel serves several hotplates at once.

  • DrivesCAT 7, CAT 18, CAT 24
  • Also runsMini HP reactors 16–50 mL (1 or 3) · Midi 75–300 mL
  • Hotplate145 mm · 20–300 °C · 100–1400 rpm
  • Gas panelPurge, reactive feed and vent, with gauge and relief valve
  • AutomationManual, with optional PC control and data logging

Applications

Catalyst screeningHydrogenationReaction optimizationHigh-throughput experimentationProcess development

Software, control & safety

The DigiCAT systems run on H.E.L’s WinISO software — data logging, multi-step recipes, parameter control and feedback loops — so every well runs to the same programmed conditions while you vary catalyst or reagents across the block. The DigiCAT bench platform adds optional PC control and data logging to the manual CAT reactors.

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 and DigiCAT?
CAT 7/18/24 are manual, vial-based high-pressure reactors run on a stirrer hotplate; the DigiCAT platform is the bench system (digital hotplate plus gas panel) that drives them; and the DigiCAT 96 is a high-throughput 96-well screening platform, available automated or manual.
How many reactions can I run in parallel?
From 7, 18 or 24 vials on the CAT units, up to 96 simultaneous reactions on the DigiCAT 96.
What pressure and temperature can they reach?
Up to 100 bar / 250 °C on the manual CAT units (300 °C if pressure is 10 bar g or below), and up to 100 bar with ambient–200 °C on the DigiCAT 96.
Manual or automated — which do I need?
Both are available: manual CAT reactors for simple, cost-effective screening, or the automated DigiCAT 96 for higher throughput.
What reactions are they used for?
High-pressure catalytic reactions with one or more gas feeds — most commonly hydrogenation — for catalyst screening and reaction optimization.
Are they customisable?
Yes — vessel material (316 stainless steel or Hastelloy C276), vial format and cooled-head options can all be specified, 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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