A catalysis laboratory determines the kinetics of a catalyst and its reaction, specifically conversion and selectivity. Important concepts in this context also include activation energy, space velocity dependence, temperature profile, power, lifetime, gas supply, and analytical methods. Due to their thematic proximity, bioelectrical chromatography (BET) and chemisorption are often also performed in the catalysis laboratory. The catalysis laboratory should be distinguished from a chemistry laboratory, which characterizes the chemical and physical properties, such as elemental composition, pH values, solubilities, combustion residues, and prepares catalysts and adsorbents.

Catalyst analyses – candcs