A methodology was developed to interpret the results of n‐paraffins hydroisomerization over bifunctional catalysts based on two simple kinetic models used consecutively. First, a macrokinetic model was used to obtain the corresponding turnover frequency over the acid sites and the maximum of C16 isomer yield. Second, a dual‐function model was used to correlate these catalytic descriptors to the ratio of metal to acid sites of the catalyst. To illustrate the methodology, Pt/HBEA and Pt/HUSY catalysts with different Pt loadings were evaluated. The impact of metal‐acid balance on the catalytic turnover frequency and the maximal C16 isomer yield were adequately captured for the bifunctional HUSY and HBEA catalysts. Moreover, the parameters of the dual‐function model revealed to be intrinsic to the catalytic properties of the zeolite under the scope. This methodology is believed to be of interest for information‐driven catalyst design for the hydroisomerization of n‐paraffins. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 2864–2875, 2017

The development of zeolite-based hydroisomerization catalysts in the powder form is widely spread in scientific literature but shaped bodies are the ones being employed in industry. This work aims at bridging that gap. The shaping procedure for HUSY zeolite in presence of an alumina binder disclosed herein achieved a full conservation of zeolite properties, e.g. porosity and Brønsted acidity. When Pt was located inside the zeolite and an homogeneous Pt distribution along the extrudate was ensured, shaped Pt-containing catalysts had similar hydroisomerization performances to those of powder Pt/zeolite in terms of turnover frequency per Brønsted acid site and maximal feed isomers yield. Conversely, non-uniform distribution of Pt along the extrudates diameter (macroscale) was observed to reduce the feed isomers yield. This was tentatively explained by the lower local metal to acid sites ratio in the core of the extrudates. Optimal performance of shaped bifunctional catalysts requires, hence, an adequate metal to acid sites ratio throughout the whole catalyst (i.e. at macroscale), even if full intimacy between catalytic functions is ensured at the nanoscale by the selective deposition of Pt inside the zeolite.

Open science and data are yet to make a real breakthrough and research policies will have a critical role in it. The history and general context around open data is hence firstly addressed, including how researchers perceive the existing incentives, leading to recommendations on how to foster data sharing. Subsequently, the focus is on catalysis, with a particular emphasis on benchmarking the data sharing practices against other fields and surveying the type of data currently being shared. The current infrastructure, including data repositories, and standards formats is maped. The striking differences among different disciplines are discussed, serving as a basis to propose specific actions to promote data sharing in catalysis. Short‐term initiatives are needed to boost the amount of openly available data, particularly in heterogeneous catalysis, but a high degree of standardization in data formats will be needed to ensure optimal and automated data mining in the long run. Because of its unique, central role in understanding the catalytic action, kinetic catalytic data is of particular interest. As formats and mining tools are dependant on the type of data, kinetic catalytic data is firstly characterized. Guidelines for a standardized sharing format are proposed, taking into account the small, well‐structured nature of this type of data. To maximize the extraction of information, the low volume of kinetic catalytic data will be compensated by incorporating fundamental knowledge into statistics‐based tools. Whencoupled with knowledge generation tools, i. e. kinetic models, new insights at the active site and mechanism levels will be reached in an ever more automated and powerful way.