The development of a high throughput research (HTR) infrastructure and
experimentation capability has been a major focus for The Dow Chemical Company. This
R&D effort was built on the vision that high throughput experimentation can broadly impact
the effectiveness of our businesses. Over the past ten years this has resulted in the
construction of HTR infrastructures covering a wide diversity of technologies, such as liquid
formulations, coatings and adhesives, thermoplastics and thermosets, organic synthesis, and
both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyses. These workflows have greatly improved
Dow’s R&D effectiveness and enhanced the rate of development of commercially applicable
technology. To illustrate the HTR methodology and workflow in place, a case study on
propane oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) is discussed in this chapter. It is shown that an
effective workflow consists of a series of interlocking elements that include experimental
design, catalyst synthesis, materials characterization, and catalytic reactivity screening. These
elements are connected together through data and materials handling.
Keywords: High Throughput Research, Heterogeneous Catalysis, Selective
Oxidation, Mixed Metal Oxides, Oxidative Dehydrogenation, Propane, Propylene,
Oxygenates, Light Alkane Activation, Shale Gas, Solid Promoters, Data Mining
& Modeling, Compositional Optimization, Process Parameter Optimization.