Picture 7: Pellet catalyst

The tests for finding an ideal catalytic process were first conducted using a pellet catalyst. This type of catalyst uses an inert support material as round spheres (“pellets”) on which the catalytic substance is applied. These pellets show a good catalytic performance, are easy to prepare and therefore are relatively cheap. A careful examination of the pellets used in the testing equipment at INEOS Paraform (see pic. 2) revealed however, that the pellets disintegrate under mechanical stress.