Heterogeneous Catalysis for Advanced Gas Analysis

Heterogeneous Catalysis Applications

Maleic Anhydride Production

Maleic anhydride production remains one of the most important examples of heterogeneous catalytic oxidation. Maleic anhydride is a valuable intermediate used in the manufacture of resins, polymers and other industrial materials, and it is commercially produced through the partial oxidation of n-butane in air over a vanadium pyrophosphate (VPP) catalyst. Because yield is strongly influenced by transient redox conditions, researchers are focused on understanding reaction mechanism, catalyst phase evolution, gas composition, pressure, temperature and gas-solid residence time. Advanced mass spectrometry and microreactor systems make it possible to follow transient response in n-butane oxidation and build a clearer picture of the kinetics that govern maleic anhydride formation under realistic reactor conditions.

Biomass Tar Reforming

Biomass tar reforming is attracting growing interest as industry looks for lower-carbon alternatives to fossil-based process routes. A major challenge in biomass tar conversion is catalyst deactivation caused by aromatic compounds, especially toluene-like species, which can form carbon deposits on active sites and reduce catalyst efficiency. Research highlighted in Hiden’s catalysis applications work shows how catalyst composition and lattice oxygen behaviour can play a decisive role in limiting carbon build-up and sustaining activity during steam reforming. Perovskite-supported nickel systems, including Ni/La0.7Sr0.3AlO3, have demonstrated high activity with low carbon deposition, making them highly relevant for biomass tar reforming studies where coke resistance and long-term catalyst stability are critical.

Syngas and Hydrogen Production

Syngas, or synthesis gas, is one of the most versatile feedstocks in heterogeneous catalysis. Composed primarily of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, syngas can be generated from coal or biomass with steam, or through the partial oxidation of methane, and it is used in the production of fertilisers, fuels, solvents and synthetic materials. In hydrogen production, steam methane reforming remains the dominant industrial route, but it is energy intensive and associated with significant CO2 emissions. This is why there is increasing interest in lower-carbon approaches such as sorption enhanced chemical looping steam methane reforming (SE-CL-SMR). Real-time gas analysis helps researchers study redox cycling, catalyst stability and gas evolution in NiO-based systems, supporting the development of more efficient syngas and hydrogen production processes.

Why Real-Time Gas Analysis Matters in Heterogeneous Catalysis

Across maleic anhydride production, biomass tar reforming and syngas generation, the key to process improvement is understanding what happens at the catalyst surface as reaction conditions change. Real-time mass spectrometry supports catalyst characterisation, reaction monitoring and process optimisation by tracking reactants, intermediates and products with high sensitivity. 

Hiden Analytical systems are used to support this work across catalyst development workflows, helping researchers investigate transient kinetics, redox behaviour, coke formation and hydrogen production pathways with greater confidence.

Read more in the articles below to explore additional studies using Hiden instruments in heterogeneous catalysis applications:

Improved Biogas Reforming with Nickel–Ceria Catalysts

NH3-SCR Side Reactions Over Cu/SSZ-13 Catalysts

Mo/ZSM-5 Catalyzes Methane Co-Aromatization with Furan

Photothermal CO2-to-Methanol on In2O3-CeO2

Discuss your heterogeneous catalysis application with Hiden Analytical

Whether you are studying maleic anhydride production, biomass tar reforming, or syngas reactions, our team can help you select the right mass spectrometry solution for accurate, real-time gas analysis. Contact us.