Background of the Invention Techniques are sought by which numerous samples can be tested at a single time. For instance, scoping experiments using various candidates for a catalytic reaction can be facilitated by subjecting at the same time a large number of the candidates to reaction conditions to obtain leads for developing new catalysts. These techniques are often referred to as rapid throughput analyses or combinatorial chemistry.

As the requirements for these screening procedures, both from the standpoints of testing conditions and product analyses, become more complex, apparatus are sought which meet these needs without becoming overly complicated or expensive.

Summary of the Invention The apparatus and processes of this invention permit a large number of vessels to be simultaneously tested through the use of a common feed manifold and a common exhaust manifold. If desired performance is detected, the apparatus permits isolation of the vessel or vessels that provide sought performances even though the expedient of a common feed manifold and a common exhaust manifold are used.

Thus, the apparatus and processes of this invention are thus particularly suited for rapid throughput analyses, especially for combinatorial chemistry.- The apparatus of this invention comprise: a. at least one fluid feed manifold, said feed manifold having a fluid inlet port and at least two fluid outlet ports, each of said outlet ports being in communication with a valve, and each said valve being in fluid communication with a feed header; b. at least one fluid exhaust manifold, said exhaust manifold having a fluid exit port and at least two fluid exhaust inlet ports, each of said exhaust inlet ports being in communication with a valve, and each said valve being in fluid communication with an exhaust header; and c. at least three vessels in open fluid communication between a feed header and an exhaust header, wherein at least one vessel is in fluid communication between a feed header and exhaust header which are different than the feed header and exhaust header which are in fluid communication with at least one other vessel. Thus, in an array of X times Y vessels, wherein each of X and Y are integers of at least 2, the use of X plus Y valves will enable a single vessel in the array to be isolated provided that each feed header has a different set of X vessels and each exhaust header has a different set of Y vessels, and no more than one vessel is common to each X and Y set.

In the broad aspects of the processes of this invention, a. fluid is fed to at least two vessels in an array of vessels through a common feed header, b. an exhaust fluid is withdrawn from at least one of said at least two vessels in the array fluid exhaust into an exhaust header, which exhaust header is in open fluid communication with at least one other vessel in the array, which vessel is not in fluid communication with the common feed header.

In more specific aspects of the invention, a common feed header is in fluid communication through a valve with a feed manifold, said manifold having at least one other feed header in communication with at least two vessels with each other feed headers having a valve for fluid communication to the feed manifold; and the exhaust manifold is in fluid communication through a valve with an exhaust header, said exhaust manifold having at least one other exhaust header in communication with at least two vessels, one of said vessels being in fluid communication with the common feed header, with each other exhaust header having a valve for fluid communication with the exhaust manifold.

It can be readily seen that the fluid flow through vessels in a selected region of the array, including a single vessel, can be achieved by positioning the valves between the feed manifold and the feed headers and the valves between the exhaust headers and the exhaust manifold such that flow through communication occurs only in the vessels selected. For instance, a single vessel in an array can be isolated for flow through communication by positioning the valve for the feed header in communication with said vessel in the open position and all other valves for feed headers from the feed manifold being positioned in the closed position, and by positioning the valve for the exhaust header in communication with the vessel in the closed position and all other valves for exhaust headers from the exhaust manifold being positioned in the closed position.

For example, in one mode of operation, of an apparatus having an array of X times Y vessels wherein X is an integer of at least two and Y is an integer of at least two, reactant is fed to the feed manifold, and at least two of the feed valves to permit fluid from the feed manifold to pass into the respective feed headers are opened and at least two of the exhaust valves to permit fluid in the respective exhaust header to pass into the exhaust manifold are opened. Exhaust is withdrawn from the exhaust manifold and can be analyzed to determine whether the desired performance is being obtained in any of the vessels in the section of the array through which the fluid is passing. Then one or more of said feed valves and said exhaust valves can be closed to reduce the number of vessels through which fluid passes and the withdrawn exhaust for analysis. This procedure can be repeated to isolate the vessel or vessel having the desired performance.

Brief Description of the Drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective representation of an apparatus according to this invention wherein the array comprises nine vessels. Figure 2 is a schematic representation of another apparatus according to this invention wherein the array comprises 25 vessels.

Detailed Description: As used herein, the following terms and phrases have the following meanings: "feed header"and"exhaust header"mean structures that direct fluid to one or more vessels. Examples of structures include conduits and vessels. The feed header and exhaust header terminate at a valve which for fluid communication with the feed manifold in the case of the feed headers and exhaust manifold in the case of the exhaust headers.

"vessel"in the array means structures positioned between a feed header and an exhaust header. The structures need not have any valves and may be in"open fluid communication"such that there are no physical barriers intended for manipulation to prevent fluid flow between the headers. The vessels may have any suitable structure for the purpose of the apparatus. These structures may range from devices to hold catalysts, products to be degraded, membranes, reactants, or the like.

"feed manifold"and Exhaust manifold"mean structures to direct fluid to or from the valves for fluid communication with the feed headers and the exhaust headers, respectively. The structures may take any convenient form including conduits or vessels.

With reference to Figure 1, apparatus 10 is depicted as having nine tubular reactors 12. The tubular reactors are in open fluid communication at the top and bottom. The reactors are adapted to contain catalyst and each can contain a different catalyst if desired. As shown the reactor is an up-flow reactor using solid catalyst.

Each reactor 12 is in fluid communication with a feed header 14 and an exhaust header 16. The apparatus is depicted to have three feed headers and three exhaust headers. Each of the headers is in fluid communication with three reactors and no feed header has more than one reactor vessel in common with an exhaust header. Each of the feed headers and exhaust headers are in communication with the feed manifold 18, in the case of the feed headers, and the exhaust manifold 20, in the case of the exhaust headers. A feed is provided to feed manifold via line 24 and exhaust is withdrawn from exhaust manifold via line 26. A valve 22 is positioned between each header and the manifold with which it is in fluid communication. Each of the valves are adapted to be independently operated. Operation of the valves may be manual or by a computer control system as is known in the art.

In operation a fluid, e. g., a reactant gas mixture, is passed via line 24 to feed manifold 18. One or more of valves 22 can be opened allowing gas flow into the respective feed header. The reactors in fluid communication with the feed header can be supplied the reactant gas.

Gas flow through the reactors will not be achieved unless the valve 22 for the respective exhaust header is opened and allows gas to flow into the exhaust manifold 20 for exiting via line 26. The gas exiting via line 26 may be analyzed to determine whether a reaction has occurred. the analysis may be by any suitable means including, but not limited to, gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy, infra-red spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, physical appearance, smell, volume, and wet and dry chemical techniques. The analysis may be qualitative or quantitative.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus of the invention having twenty-five reactors 12 in an array of five by five.

Similar parts of the apparatus are identified by the same identification numbers as used in Figure 1. For the sake of reference, each position of the reactors will be designated by coordinates. The ordinate positions are designated by X1, X2, X3, X4 and X5 and the abscissa positions, by Yl, Y2, Y3, Y4, and Y5. As shown, each of the reactors along an ordinate position are in fluid communication with a single feed header 14. The feed header and the associated valve will hereafter be referred by reference to the ordinate position, e. g., feed header Xl and valve XI. Similarly, each of the reactors along an abscissa position are in fluid communication with a single exhaust header. Accordingly, the exhaust headers and associated valves will be referred to by the abscissa position, e. g., exhaust header Y3 and valve Y3.

The apparatus of the invention may be operated according to various strategies in order to effect testing of the catalyst in each reactor. One such strategy is to open two or more, often all, of the valves for the feed headers and two or more, often all, of the valves for the exhaust headers. Those reactors for which a feed header and an exhaust header are open, will have the flow of the gas-containing reactants there through. The exhausted gas from line 26 can be analyzed to determine the existence of the sought product, or component, from the reaction. If the component is not detected, a quick negative result is obtained from the screening of the catalyst samples. If a positive result is obtained, then the valves may be opened and closed sequentially to isolate the reactor or reactor containing catalyst having the sought activity.

By way of example, all valves are opened and an analysis of the exhaust from line 26 indicates that a positive result has occurred.

At this time, valves Xl, X2 and X3 are closed. If a positive result is obtained with this configuration, then it is known that the active catalyst resides in one of the reactors along feed header X4 or X5.

Valves Y3, Y4 and Y5 are then closed. If a negative result is obtained by analysis of the exhaust from line 26, the active catalyst resides in one or more of reactors X4, Y3; X4, Y4; X4, Y5 ; X5, Y3; X5, Y4 or X5, Y5.

Valves Yl and Y2 are closed, valves Y3, Y4 and Y5 are opened and X4 is closed. A positive result indicates that the active catalyst exists in one of reactors X5, Y3; X5, Y4 and X5, Y5. Valve Y3 is then closed. A negative result indicates that reactor X5, Y3 contains the active catalyst. A positive result would mean that valve Y4 should be closed to ascertain whether reactor X5, Y4 or X5, Y5 contains the active catalyst.

The above sequencing of valve openings and closing is for illustration. Other sequencings may be used. While embodiments containing-9 and 25 reactors have been shown, the invention is equally applicable to three or greater reactors in an array.

Although the invention has been described with respect to chemical reactors, it is apparent that the invention will find applicability in any environment in which a plurality of samples are to be evaluated. Exemplary testing included membrane evaluation, adsorbent and absorbent evaluations, and material stability.