Air Products has expanded the hydrogenation capabilities of its Chemicals and Refinery Process Lab at its Global Corporate Headquarters in Allentown, Pennsylvania, strengthening its support for customers across refining, chemicals, pharmaceutical, and flavours and fragrances industries.

“The recent enhancements at our Chemicals and Refinery Process Lab enable Air Products to be a one-stop shop and true collaborator with our customers, helping them to efficiently test hydrogenation processes to find solutions to maximise production while ensuring product quality,” said Ranajit Ghosh, Air Products’ Director of Advanced Technology – Merchant Research and Development.

Also known as the Hydrogen Reaction Lab, the facility provides continuous-flow hydrogenation, catalyst evaluation and screening, and process development services.

Its three continuous down-flow fixed-bed reactors and high-pressure separators enable customers to test hydrogenation processes under real-world conditions, helping predict yield, purity and scale-up performance.

Each reactor can be configured with customer-specific catalysts, allowing trials involving multiple reaction steps, pressures and temperatures.

Air Products’ scientists also work with customers on safe and confidential process improvements.

Established in 2015 and relocated in 2021, the lab combines process development, hydrogen supply, safety and scale-up expertise.

The facility helps customers optimise operating conditions, improve production yield and throughput, extend catalyst cycles, reduce downtime and lower overall costs before commercial deployment. -OGN/TradeArabia News Service