Laboratory Reactor Series (LR)
Custom Reactor Systems for Laboratory & Pilot Plant Applications
Chemtech offers a comprehensive lineup of laboratory and pilot-scale reactor systems designed for chemical processing, product development, process optimization, and small-batch manufacturing. While basic reactor systems are available in borosilicate glass and stainless steel, our reactors can also be fabricated with specialty alloys including Hastelloy, Inconel, and Monel. In addition, these solutions can be customized to meet specific operating, temperature, vacuum, and distillation requirements.
Our custom reactor systems range from compact benchtop reactor units for laboratory testing to larger pilot plant reactors used for process scale-up and production validation.
Borosilicate Glass & Stainless Steel Reactor Configurations
Chemtech supplies jacketed glass reactor systems from 1 to 200 liters and jacketed stainless steel reactor systems from 2 to 2,000 liters. Each reactor system can be equipped with condensers, distillation columns, reflux controls, vacuum systems, heating and cooling circulators, and automated control packages to support a wide range of chemical processing applications.
Reactors are typically designed with an external jacket, and potentially with internal coils to control heating and cooling requirements of the reaction. Ancillary heating and cooling circulators are employed to interface with the reactor jacket or internal cooling coils — thereby controlling the temperature requirements of the reaction process. In addition, pressure or vacuum conditions are normally controlled to facilitate the reaction process and potentially include safety interlocks to protect equipment and employees. Condensers, and potentially distillation columns, are commonly integrated into the reactor system to separate heavy and light molecules and to optimize product quality and yield performance.
In order to accommodate chemical synthesis processing conditions, Chemtech’s reactor systems are normally supplied with the following components:
- Frame – Stainless Steel (304 or 316) or 6063 Anodized Aluminum
- Borosilicate Glass Chemical Reactor Systems, Jacketed, 1-liter to 200 liters, or
- Stainless Steel Chemical Reactor Systems, Jacketed, 2-liter to 2,000 liters
- Condensers-Horizontal Overhead or Vertical U-tube
- Optional Distillation Columns-Packed columns or Bubble-Cap Columns, with reflux capabilities
- Hot Oil heating systems based upon reactor size
- Heater/Chiller for condensers
- Vacuum Systems, various pumping speeds, capable of 0.10 mm Hg dry vacuum and including vacuum gauge with display.
- Control Systems-Manual or PLC Control and Data Logging functions are available
Configuration 1:
This configuration features a 5 liter stainless steel reactor with a bubble cap distillation column and condenser with reflux control valve and collection flask.
Other features include:
- Reflux condenser above column
- Temperature gauge at top of column/Reflux condenser
- Temperature gauge at bottom of column
- Condensing circulator, temperature range -40°C to 200°C
- Heating circulator for reactor jacket, temperature range ambient to 200°C
- Vacuum pump with pumping speed of 8 m3/hr & 0.010 mm Hg dry vacuum (+vacuum gauge not displayed)
- Reactor discharge pump.
- Variable speed reactor agitator
- Condenser collection flask 2-liter capacity with vent valve
Configuration 2:
This configuration features a 5 liter stainless steel reactor with a packed distillation column with reflux control valve and collection flask.
Other features include:
- Temperature gauge at bottom of column
- Condensing circulator, temperature range -40°C to 200°C
- Heating circulator for reactor jacket, temperature range ambient to 200°C
- Vacuum pump with pumping speed of 8 m3/hr & 0.010 mm Hg dry vacuum (+vacuum gauge not displayed)
- Reactor discharge pump
- Variable speed reactor agitator
- Condenser collection flask 2-liter capacity with vent valve
Configuration 3:
This configuration features a 5 Liter stainless steel reactor with a horizontal condenser with reflux control valve and collection flask.
Other features include:
- Temperature gauge at bottom of column
- Condensing circulator, temperature range -40°C to 200°C
- Heating circulator for reactor jacket, temperature range ambient to 200°C
- Vacuum pump with pumping speed of 8 m3/hr & 0.010 mm Hg dry vacuum (+vacuum gauge not displayed)
- Reactor discharge pump
- Variable speed reactor agitator
- Condenser collection flask 2-liter capacity with vent valve
Configuration 4:
This configuration features a 2 liter glass reactor with a horizontal condenser.
Other features include:
- Condensing circulator, temperature range -40°C to 200°C
- Heating circulator for reactor jacket, temperature range ambient to 200°C
- Vacuum pump with pumping speed of 8 m3/hr & 0.010 mm Hg dry vacuum (+vacuum gauge not displayed)
- 5 liter collection flask with vent valve
- Variable speed reactor agitator
- Condenser collection flask 2-liter capacity with vent valve
Configuration 5:
This configuration features a 2 Liter glass reactor with a horizontal condenser.
Other features include:
- Reflux condenser above column
- Temperature gauge at top of column/Reflux Condenser
- Condensing circulator, temperature range -40°C to 200°C
- Heating circulator for reactor jacket, temperature range ambient to 200°C
- Vacuum pump with pumping speed of 8 m3/hr & 0.010 mm Hg dry vacuum (+vacuum gauge not displayed)
- 5 liter collection flask with vent valve
- Variable speed reactor agitator
- Condenser collection flask 2-liter capacity with vent valve
Your Laboratory & Pilot Scale Reactor Partner
Chemtech Services provides more than reactor equipment—we deliver complete reactor and process solutions designed around your specific application requirements. From laboratory-scale research and process development to pilot plant operations and scale-up projects, our team works closely with clients to provide systems that support reliable, repeatable, and efficient results.
Our capabilities include:
- Process evaluation and application review
- Custom reactor system design and engineering
- Glass and stainless steel reactor system fabrication
- Ancillary equipment including distillation columns, condensers, vacuum, heating, and cooling utilities to achieve system integration
- Electrical control systems with customer-preferred instrumentation
- Installation, commissioning, and operator training
- Ongoing technical support and process optimization
With extensive experience in chemical processing, vacuum systems, distillation technology, and reactor design, Chemtech Services helps customers develop, refine, and scale their processes with confidence.
Get Started
Chemtech Services has the expertise and equipment to support your project.
Contact Chemtech Services here or call (815) 838-4800 to discuss your application requirements with our experienced team.