The full apparatus includes 6 chemical reactors (a continuous stirred-tank reactor CSTR, two plug flow reactors PFR, a batch reactor BR, 3 reactors in series and a laminator flow reactor LFR), interchangeable on the same service unit and a supervision software with interface. The minimum purchasable configuration is represented by the
service unit and by one of these reactors. The service unit includes feeding tanks, feeding pumps, temperature control system and various instruments for the CSTR, for the plug flow reactor, for the batch reactor, for the CSTRs in series, for the plug flow reactor and for the laminator flow reactor. The reaction proposed is the classical saponification of ethyl acetate with sodium hydroxide, checked in real time with a conductivity meter.
TRAINING PROGRAM
This unit enables to deepen the following issues:
• Comparing CSTR, PFR, LFR and BR
• Variation of the conversion with the residence time
• Kinetic equation from experimental data
• Effect of temperature on reaction rate
• Effect of mixing degree on the reaction
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Service unit
• Bench-top framework of AISI 304 stainless steel
• 2 tanks of AISI 304 stainless steel with capacity of 5 litres/ each, for feeding reagents
• 2 peristaltic feeding pumps, with flow rate of 0 – 118 ml/min
• Circulation pump of AISI 304 stainless steel for hot water, with electronic temp. control and safety thermostat
• Digital conductivity meter with sensor
• Electric switchboard of painted carbon steel with ELCB
• 2 displays for r.p.m. of pumps, a display for stirring rate and electronic thermostat
• Power supply: 230 Vac 50 Hz single-phase – 1 kVA (Other voltage and frequency on request)
Continuous Stirred-Tank Reactor (CSTR)
• Capacity: 0.4 – 1.5 litres
• Made of borosilicate glass, stainless steel and PTFE
• Stirrer of variable speed
• Inner coil of AISI 304 stainless steel
• Removable baffles
• Connections for temperature and conductivity sensors
Plug Flow Reactor (PFR)
• Capacity: 0.4 litres
• Length of reactor: 20 m
• Tank of Plexiglas for immersing the reactor
• Connections for temperature and conductivity sensors
Batch Reactor (BR)
• Capacity: 1 l
• Made of AISI 304 stainless steel
• Vacuum insulation
• Inner coil of AISI 304 stainless steel
• Variable speed stirrer
• Connections for temperature and conductivity sensors
• 3 continuous stirred-tank reactors (CSTR) of borosilicate glass and PTFE connected in series; each reactor is equipped with stirrer of variable speed and connection for conductivity sensor
• 2 conductivity sensors
Plug flow reactor (PFR)
• Framework of AISI 304 stainless steel
• Plug flow reactor:
– Made of borosilicate glass
– Working volume = 1 litre
– Length = 1100 mm
– Packing = 3 mm diameter glass beads
– Static premixer
Laminator flow reactor (LFR)
• Framework in AISI 304 stainless steel
• Laminar flow reactor:
– Made of borosilicate glass
– Length = 1100 mm
– Jacketed
– Static premixer
Data acquisition software with interface
• For Windows
• Synoptic with values of measured variables
• Real-time trend
• Historical trend
