Integration of an Informatics System in a High Throughput Experimentation. Description of a Global Framework Illustrated Through Several Examples

Integration of an Informatics System in a High Throughput Experimentation. Description of a Global Framework Illustrated Through Several Examples — High Throughput Experimentation (HTE) is a rapidly expanding field. However, the productivity gains obtained via the synthesis or parallel testing of catalysts may be lost due to poor data management (numerous manual inputs, information difficult to access, etc.). A global framework has then been developed. It includes the HTE pilot plants in the global information system. It produces dedicated computer tools offering spectacular time savings in the operation of HTE units, information storage and rapid Oil & Gas Science and Technology – Rev. IFP Energies nouvelles, Vol. 68 (2013), No. 3, pp. 445-468 Copyright 2013, IFP Energies nouvelles DOI: 10.2516/ogst/2013109 extraction of relevant information. To optimize the productivity of engineers, Excel has been included in the system by adding specific features in order to treat it as an industrial tool (development of additional modules, update of modules, etc.). The success obtained by setting up the information system is largely due to the chosen development method. An Agile method (Agile Alliance (2012) http://www.agilealliance.org/the-alliance/)[1] was chosen since close collaboration between the computer specialists and the chemist engineers is essential. Rather than a global and precise description of the framework which might be boring and tedious, the global framework is presented through 3 examples: – scheduling experiments applied to zeolite synthesis; – data management (storage and access); – real application to pilot plant: dedicated interfaces to pilot and supervise HTE pilot plants, comparison of tests runs coming from several pilot plants.