RECAT Technologies
Large Scale
CREC Riser Simulator
The CREC Riser Simulator, commercialized under
exclusive license to Recat Technologies, is a
batch reactor that closely reproduces reaction
conditions of industrial continuous “riser” and
“downer” units allowing cost effective and
breakthrough research and development of new
catalytic processes including,
o Catalytic cracking
o Steam and dry methane reforming
o Gasoline desulphurization
o Catalytic gasification of biomass
o Methane oxidative coupling
The Riser Simulator’s unique design allows for
instantaneous feeding of reactants and removal
of products. The centrally located mixing system
provides high gas recirculation keeping the
catalysts under intense fluidization between two
porous grids. Typically, in the CREC Riser
Simulator, 1 gram of catalyst is contacted with
0.15 grams of feedstock load under user
specified pressure, temperature, reaction time,
and catalyst to reactant ratio. The Riser
Simulator has a total capacity of 45 ml.
Competing Technologies
Fluidized catalyst development is currently done
using two main approaches,
Bench Scale
Though laboratory scale units require small
amounts of catalyst (100mg to 1gr.) and often
require only one operator, these units do not
accurately mimic conditions of industrial scale
reactors. This leads to inaccurate catalyst test
results both in terms of feedstock conversion
and product selectivity.
Reactor Engineering and Catalytic Technologies Inc.
77 Rollingwood Circle, London, Ontario, CANADA N6G 1R1, (519) 657-2329
Web: www.recattechnologies.com
Pilot plant/demonstration units are used to test
large amounts of catalyst (10 to 100 Kg.).
These units are able to reproduce industrial
scale reactor conditions, however, they are
quite expensive to purchase and operate. A
team of operators is also required to run and
supervise these units (often around the clock).
Since these units are designed with a specific
process in mind, they are inherently limited,
making it difficult to test a broad range of
process conditions for a given catalyst.
The CREC Riser Simulator directly addresses
these shortcomings by allowing flexible catalyst
bench scale testing. Unit operation is safe and
simple and requires only one trained operator.
The CREC Riser Simulator is able to accurately
mimic desired conditions or can be used to
explore the full range of process parameters
(temperature, pressure, contact time, catalyst
loading) needed for true catalyst testing and
kinetic modeling.
Technical Benefits
The Riser Simulator’s unique design makes it
suitable for,
Catalyst Evaluation/Development
Since the CREC Riser Simulator uses small
quantities of catalyst, the experimental
procedure and the related catalyst synthesis
are significantly simplified. Operating under
conditions that mimic industrial operation, the
CREC Riser Simulator allows a rapid turn
around of catalyst samples, helping to focus
experimentation and development of new
catalysts.
Kinetic Modeling and Catalyst
Characterization
Operating conditions such as pressure,
temperature and reactant partial pressure can
Email: info@recattechnologies.com
 RECAT Technologies

be changed in broad ranges allowing accurate o Communicating new advances to users

kinetic parameters estimation and kinetic
modeling. Using the CREC Riser Simulator, all
physicochemical parameters such as
adsorption, diffusion and reaction can be
accounted for. This represents a major
advantage over competing units. Experiments
can be developed with mass balances closing
at the 95-105% range.
Large Scale Catalytic Reactor Simulation
The kinetic rate equations developed in the
context of systematic runs in the CREC Riser
Simulator can be easily implemented in
commercial or custom reactor modeling
software. This permits a rapid evaluation of
catalytic processes and catalytic reactor
designs.
Financial Benefits
New catalysts can be fully investigated at less
than one tenth the cost of competing pilot plant
units. This includes savings due to both reduced
operating costs (eg. Catalyst testing requires
only small catalyst samples, small amounts of
reactants, and a single trained operator) and
reduced capital investment.
o Implementing upgrades and improvements
Impact
The CREC Riser Simulator has been successfully
used in many research programs developed in
collaboration with industrial companies,
governmental agencies, and universities
throughout the world. Units have been
manufactured for a number of institutions and
are currently in use in their laboratories.
About Recat Technologies
Founded in 2003, RECAT Technologies Inc., is a
University of Western Ontario (UWO) affiliated
spin-off specializing in the development and
commercialization of innovative Reactor
Engineering and Catalytic [RECAT] Technologies.
RECAT's founder and President Dr. Hugo de
Lasa, is a distinguished researcher and engineer
whose contributions to the field of chemical
engineering have gained him international
recognition. The CREC Riser Simulator was
invented and developed by Dr. de Lasa at the
UWO ‘s Chemical Reactor Engineering Centre.

New catalysts can be characterized quickly and

efficiently by multiple runs in the CREC Riser
Simulator: rate equations can be established in
around a week, providing the needed support for
patent applications.

User Support
Recat Technologies Inc. supports the CREC Riser
Simulator users by, Dr. Hugo de Lasa, President RECAT Technologies Inc. with
the CREC Riser Simulator

o Providing training following unit delivery

o Developing heterogeneous reactions models
(adsorption, reaction)
o Collaborating in kinetic modeling
o Consulting on industrial scale simulation

Reactor Engineering and Catalytic Technologies Inc.

77 Rollingwood Circle, London, Ontario, CANADA N6G 1R1, (519) 657-2329
Web: www.recattechnologies.com Email: info@recattechnologies.com