How to troubleshoot common issues with laboratory reactors.

　 Laboratory reactors are not only widely used in industrial production but also play an important role in experiments conducted in our lab. Currently, many universities and research institutes are still placing orders with us for laboratory reactors. If you encounter any problems while using a laboratory reactor, let’s take a look below at how to troubleshoot common daily issues!

　　Laboratory reactors are widely used in a variety of applications, including catalytic reactions, high-temperature and high-pressure synthesis, hydrogenation reactions, gas-liquid two-phase processes, liquid-liquid two-phase processes, exothermic reactions, compositional analysis, stability testing, corrosion resistance testing, microfabrication, supercritical reactions, and catalyst evaluation and development. These applications primarily cover the fields of petrochemicals, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and polymer synthesis.

　　1) Use the laboratory reactor at the designated location and operate it according to the instruction manual.

　　2) Clearly specify the test pressure, operating pressure, and maximum operating temperature for the main vessel, and use it within the allowable ranges.

　　3) The pressure gauge should ideally be used within one-half of its full-scale range. Carefully compare and calibrate the pressure gauge with a standard pressure gauge.

　　4) Oxygen pressure gauges must not be used interchangeably with pressure gauges for other gases.

　　5) Safety valves and other safety devices shall be equipped with instruments that have undergone regular inspections and meet the specified requirements.

　　6) During handling, be careful not to let the vessel body and lid come into contact with hard materials, as this could cause deformation of the seal and lead to leaks.

　　7) Keep the interior of the laboratory reactor and the gasket area clean.

　　8) When putting on the pot lid, tighten the bolts diagonally in sequence.

　　9) When a measuring instrument breaks, it often cracks on both the front and back sides of its glass. Therefore, please do not operate near these hazardous areas. If you anticipate any danger, remove the glass and replace it with a new one.

　　If cracks appear in the glass components of the reactor vessel during laboratory reactor operations, or if the switch is damaged, promptly inspect the glass parts and replace the switch.

　　When the vacuum hose shows signs of aging, please replace it promptly.

　　After turning on the power switch of the laboratory reactor, the indicator light fails to illuminate. Let’s check whether the external power supply is properly connected or if there’s a poor connection. Please ask an electrician to inspect the power outlet. If you notice cracks in the band-type heating element on the housing, please have an electrician perform a thorough inspection. Is the fuse intact and free from short circuits? When replacing the fuse, be sure to turn off the switch first. Also, ensure that the anti-loosening screws on the main shaft—on both the left and right sides—are securely tightened.

　　If the motor temperature is too high and the motor stops due to overload, try rotating the spindle by hand to see whether it feels heavy. At this point, remove any dirt from the contact area between the sealing ring and the glass shaft, and apply vacuum grease.

　　When the voltage is unstable and you encounter situations such as the laboratory reactor's displayed rotation speed not matching the actual speed, the device itself showing errors, or the laboratory reactor's power indicator light being on but the reactor failing to rotate, you should contact the supplier.

　　The above is an introduction to how to address common issues with laboratory reactors. If you’d like to learn more, feel free to contact us anytime!