[tripton]

Hi everybody,
I´m looking for some organic substance that doesn´t react with a strong cationic ion exchanger (zeolite) used as catalyst support. I want to use this substance as tracer to study the flow in an experimental reactor. I will develop the experiments just with the zeolyte but without catalyst.
I must practice the experiments at pH 5 or higher.
I need some compound that can be easily measured by UV or other simple analytical method.
I also would like to use some compound easy to find in a laboratory, and relatively cheap.
I thought to use methyl orange, but I don´t know if it may reacts with the active sites in the zeolite.

Any suggestion will be welcome.

Thanks

Sergio

[eugenedakin]

Hello tripton,

Unfortunately, an inexpensive tracer does not immediately come to mind.  Most tracers are very expensive.

To go the 'inexpensive' route, you may want to have your feedstock analyzed for trace elements, and then take periodic samples to determine the 'free' trace elements.  For example, phosphorous, nitrogen (amines), etc.

Its just a suggestion that may/may not work. I wish you the best.

Cheers,

Eugene

[tripton]

Thank you very much. I will take your suggestions.

Regards,

Sergio

[tripton]

Thanks.
I already try with different compounds and finally, the methyl orange works well.

Sergio

[eugenedakin]

Thats good to hear. I am glad that everything worked out well for you.

Sincerely,

Eugene