(421d) Enhanced (Multi-Throughput) Experimentation in Petrochemical Process Development and Troubleshooting

?Enhanced? or multi-throughput experimentation methods can greatly speed the screening of new chemistries and catalysts at the discovery phase of research and development, prior to extended testing in larger-scale units. The approach can also be applied after process development, piloting, and commercialization, to effect process improvements and optimization. A key feature of the latter is to have a tie point control for existing performance, as part of each test block. While high throughput methods (99 or more samples in parallel) may require extensive capital expenditure and time for implementation, it is often possible to engage in multi-throughput tests (2 ? 12 or more) with similar investments and timing as required for one-at-a-time testing. Several generic examples of multi-throughput experimentation are provided for batch and continuous flow systems encompassing homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis in batch and continuous flow reactors, liquid extraction, crystallization, flash distillation, and other unit operations.