Critical strength: Understanding catalyst and pellet crush testing

Catalysts are widely used in industrial processes where yield and time issues are critical to forming a product as soon as possible. To perform efficiently, catalysts not only need excellent adsorption properties but also good physical strength characteristics.

Mechanical failure of porous pellets can result in small fragments and fine particles being formed, which create blockages in fluid flow, unacceptable pressure drops across the reactor, and variations in heat transfer. Determining the mechanical strength of solid catalysts is therefore one of the key parameters for ensuring a reliable and efficient reaction process.

Single Pellet Crush Strength Testing (ASTM D4179 / ASTM D6175) of Formed Catalysts and Catalyst Carriers—covers measuring the compressive ‘side crush strength’ (SCS) of single pellets in a regular form, such as spheres, short cylinders, or tablets. Force is applied at a uniform rate to the pellet until it crushes or collapses and the maximum crush strength (at point of initial collapse) recorded.

Bulk pellet/catalyst testing to ASTM D7084 covers catalyst particles of 0.8 – 4.8 mm diameter such as granules. Particles are contained in a cylindrical sample holder and crushed with a piston. Pressure is applied at a uniform rate to the bed of particles, held for 30 seconds, and slowly released.

This live webinar will address single and bulk testing of pellets/catalysts using a motorized software-driven tester.

What You’ll Learn in the Webinar and Live Demonstration:

• Overview of pellet/catalyst testing
• Industries where testing is required
• Selecting ideal testers and test fixtures
• Factors that affect repeatability and consistency

Who should attend?

Manufacturing, production and quality managers and engineers involved in:

• Plastics and packaging
• Petroleum, oil and gas
• Medical and pharmaceutical container manufacturing