Traditional chemical reactions primarily rely on thermal activation to provide energy for overcoming thermodynamic barriers, facilitating the conversion of reactants to products. In thermal catalytic systems, reactant molecules adsorb and activate on catalyst surfaces, altering reaction pathways to reduce activation energy and enable smoother reactions. In contrast, photocatalysis utilizes photon energy to drive reactions, featuring fundamentally different mechanisms and milder operating conditions compared to thermal catalysis.
In recent years, as catalytic research has advanced, scientists have discovered that photothermal synergistic catalysis can enhance reaction efficiency while converting low-density solar energy into high-density chemical energy. This combined approach surpasses the capabilities of standalone thermal or photocatalytic systems. By adjusting reaction conditions, it becomes possible to modulate reaction activity and selectivity, offering immense value in energy and environmental applications—making it a focal point in cutting-edge catalytic technologies.
PerfectLight Technology introduces the PLR-RP Series Photothermal Catalytic Reaction Evaluation System, providing a platform for systematic photothermal catalysis research. Its innovative quartz light-guiding columns and reactor design significantly improve light irradiation efficiency and catalyst light-absorption area, meeting the demands of gas-solid phase reactions under photothermal synergy.
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Atmosphere sintering of catalyst materials
Activity evaluation of catalyst materials
Gas-solid photothermal catalytic reactions
Photothermal degradation of gaseous pollutants
Methane reforming for hydrogen production
CO₂ reduction
Methane/CO₂ reforming
Methane coupling
Ethane dehydrogenation
Fischer-Tropsch synthesis
Photothermal degradation of VOCs
Mechanistic studies on NOx and SO2 conversion in air
Revolutionary illumination system for enhanced light utilization
The PLR-RP system employs quartz light columns to deliver light directly to the reactor core, minimizing transmission losses and maximizing irradiation efficiency. Flexible column designs and quartz reactor configurations adapt to various catalyst loading methods, ensuring optimal light exposure on catalyst surfaces and dramatically improving light-source utilization in photothermal systems.
Compared to angled or side illumination, the top-down illumination mode offers larger catalyst exposure area and better uniformity. It also enables reactant penetration through the catalyst bed, simultaneously optimizing light absorption and substrate adsorption efficiency.
To further boost photothermal conversion efficiency, the PLR-RP series features an innovative annular illumination reactor, where catalysts are loaded around the light source. This expands the light-receiving area from 0.3 cm2 (planar illumination) to approximately 20 cm2, ensuring full light-catalyst interaction. Meanwhile, catalyst loading capacity increases from 0.9 mL to 9 mL without compromising light penetration—enhancing both light utilization and substrate conversion rates while paving the way for industrial-scale photothermal systems.
The system incorporates a quick-positioning light-source mechanism for efficient alignment. Multi-directional adjustable support plates facilitate precise light-source placement, while PerfectLight's proprietary light systems guarantee experimental consistency and data accuracy.
Precision thermal management for optimal energy efficiency
The PLR-RP system implements a four-stage thermal control architecture: gas preheating, heated pipelines, reaction chamber, and condensation/separation. Real-time monitoring of temperature and pressure across preheaters, pipeline heaters, heating jackets, and reactors accurately simulates industrial photothermal processes.
The gas preheating system raises reactants to preset temperatures, while heated pipelines minimize thermal loss during transfer. This dual approach ensures rapid temperature equilibration in the reactor, reducing system load and improving temperature accuracy. The condensation/separation system rapidly cools products and isolates liquid phases, protecting downstream components like backpressure valves.
Both preheating and reaction systems support 16-segment programmable temperature ramps, enabling single-experiment determination of reaction initiation temperatures and kinetic studies across multiple conditions—maximizing thermal efficiency.
For liquid-phase reactions, the system integrates four functional modules: liquid delivery-vaporization-pipeline heating-condensation/separation.
Modular configurations for customized solutions
The PLR-RP series offers versatile configurations across reactor chambers, illumination modes, and temperature/pressure conditions to accommodate diverse photothermal reactions.
Reactor options: vertical or horizontal furnaces;
Illumination modes: top-down or annular reactors;
Pressure/temperature variants:
For specialized needs, PerfectLight provides custom engineering to develop tailored photothermal systems.
Dual-alarm safety protocols
The system incorporates hardware/software safeguards with temperature and pressure threshold alerts for fail-safe operation.
Automatic shutdown triggers for leaks, malfunctions, or overpressure conditions;
Two-tier temperature alarms: audible/visual alerts at first threshold, heating suspension at second;
Pressure alarms halt feed flow when limits are exceeded.
Versatile sampling for real-time analysis
Dedicated gas inlets for calibration;
Multiple sampling modes: online gas sampling, batch sampling, and liquid collection;
Compatible with upstream pressure reducers and downstream detectors (MS, GC, etc.) for in-situ monitoring and comprehensive product analysis.
Specifications by edition
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| Common Parameters | ||||
| Catalyst volume | Top-down | 0.1–0.9 mL | Space velocity | 120–12,000 h⁻¹ |
| Annular | 0.9–10 mL | |||
| Light power density (300≤λ≤2500 nm) | Top-down | ≤5000 mW/cm² | Reactor material | Metal + quartz |
| Annular | ≤1000 mW/cm² | |||
| Feed parameters | Gas channels | 4 (standard) | Liquid channel | 1 (standard) |
| Gas flow | 200 mL/min (top-down) / 500 mL/min (annular) | |||
| Control range | 4–100%, accuracy ±1% F.S. | |||
| Liquid flow | 0.001–10 mL/min, accuracy ±1% F.S. | |||
| Dimensions | 110 × 85 × 120 cm³ | |||
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| Edition-Specific Parameters | ||||||
| High-Temperature Edition (PLR RVTF-PL) | ||||||
| Operating range | Max temperature | 1050°C | Max pressure | 3 MPa | ||
| Temp. accuracy | ±1°C | Pressure accuracy | 0.2% | |||
| Reactor specs | Range | 1050°C, 3 MPa | ||||
| Preprocessing | Preheater | RT–500°C | Pipe heating | RT–240°C | Heating jacket | RT–240°C |
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| High-Pressure Edition (PLR RVTF-PH) | ||||||
| Operating range | Max temperature | 650°C | Max pressure | 10 MPa | ||
| Temp. accuracy | ±1°C | Pressure accuracy | 0.2% | |||
| Reactor specs | Range | 650°C, 10 MPa | ||||
| Preprocessing | Preheater | RT–500°C | Pipe heating | RT–320°C | Heating jacket | RT–320°C |
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| Standard Edition (PLR RVTF-PM) | ||||||
| Operating range | Max temperature | 850°C | Max pressure | 6 MPa | ||
| Temp. accuracy | ±1°C | Pressure accuracy | 0.2% | |||
| Reactor specs | Range | 850°C, 6 MPa | ||||
| Preprocessing | Preheater | RT–500°C | Pipe heating | RT–280°C | Heating jacket | RT–280°C |
Note: Flow rates and catalyst volumes are reactor-specific. Refer to reactor selection tables for details.
