Precautions for Installing Laboratory Reactors

　Regarding the installation of laboratory reactors, let’s now take a closer look at the specific precautions for installing laboratory reactors.

　　(1) Install the laboratory reactor in a high-pressure operating room that meets explosion-proof requirements. When more than one reactor is installed, they should be placed separately, with each pair of reactors separated by a safe, explosion-proof wall. Each operating room must have access to an outdoor passage and an exit. When explosive media are present, ensure that ventilation equipment is in good working order. The reactor used in the laboratory shall be made of stainless steel.

　　(2) After unpacking, inspect the equipment for any damage. Install the equipment according to its model and the structural diagram, and locate the supplied components based on the packing list. If the heating method is electric heating using thermal oil, please purchase the corresponding model of thermal oil (Note: Thermal oil **must not contain any water**) and add it accordingly. When adding the oil, open the oil inlet at the top of the jacket and the oil inlet located in the upper-middle part of the jacket. Then, pour the oil through these inlets until oil starts flowing out of the inlets. Finally, tighten the oil inlets—but do not overtighten them—to avoid generating excessive pressure.

　　(3) Installation and Sealing of the Reactor Body and Lid: The reactor body and lid are sealed by means of a gasket or by line contact between a conical surface and an arcuate surface. Tightening the main nut gradually and symmetrically in several stages ensures that the two components are firmly pressed against each other, achieving a reliable sealing effect. When tightening the nuts, apply even and consistent force, strictly following a diagonal, symmetrical pattern and gradually increasing the torque. Avoid any tilting or uneven positioning of the lid to ensure optimal sealing performance. During the tightening process, never exceed the nationally prescribed torque range of 40–120 N·m to prevent damage or excessive wear to the sealing surfaces. Special care must be taken to protect and maintain these sealing surfaces. Before each installation or maintenance procedure, use soft paper or cloth to thoroughly clean both the upper and lower sealing surfaces. It is particularly important to avoid any physical contact or impact on the sealing surfaces of the reactor body and lid. With proper management and operational practices, these sealing surfaces can withstand tens of thousands of cycles or more. If the sealing surfaces become damaged, they must be redesigned, re-machined, and repaired before they can once again achieve satisfactory sealing performance. When removing the lid, lift it slowly and steadily, avoiding any abrupt movements that could cause the sealing surfaces between the reactor body and lid to collide or rub against each other.

　　(4) The installation of valves, pressure gauges, and safety valves achieves a sealing effect by tightening the positive and negative terminals. The arc-shaped sealing surfaces at both ends must not rotate relative to each other. Apply a lubricant or an oil mixed with graphite to prevent the seals from becoming stuck. Regarding valve operation: For needle valves used in pipeline sealing, simply rotate the valve needle gently—this will ensure that the pressure-sealing surface achieves excellent sealing performance. Avoid applying excessive force to prevent damage to the sealing surface.

　　(5) After the laboratory reactor equipment has been installed, inject a certain amount of nitrogen gas and maintain the pressure for 30 minutes to check for leaks. If any leaks are detected, use soap bubbles to pinpoint the leak locations on pipes and pipe connections, then drain the gas and tighten the connections. Repeat the nitrogen-pressure test to ensure there are no further leaks before starting normal operation.

　　(6) During cooling, the cooling coil can be internally cooled with water. Rapid cooling is strictly prohibited to prevent excessive thermal stress that could lead to cracking of the cooling coil and the reactor vessel. When the temperature inside the kettle exceeds 100°C, the water jacket between the magnetic stirrer and the kettle lid should be cooled to ensure that the water temperature remains below 35°C, thus preventing demagnetization of the magnetic steel.

　　(7) Safety Device: The positive-arch metal rupture disc is made of stainless steel and manufactured in accordance with the national standard GB567-89, "Technical Specifications for Arch-Type Metal Rupture Discs." It has undergone factory testing and must not be adjusted arbitrarily. If it has already ruptured, it must be replaced immediately; the replacement interval should be determined by the user based on the actual operating conditions of the unit. If the operating pressure has exceeded the rated rupture pressure of the rupture disc but the disc has not yet ruptured, it should still be replaced. During frequent use, do not exceed 80% of the lower limit pressure of the rupture disc. When replacing, the convex side of the rupture disc should face upward.

　　(8) After the reaction is complete, allow the cooling system to bring the temperature down. Then, use the analysis pipeline to vent the gas from the reactor vessel to the outdoors, reducing the internal pressure to atmospheric level. Under no circumstances should the reactor be disassembled under pressure. Next, symmetrically loosen or remove the main bolts and nuts. Finally, carefully lift off the reactor lid (or raise the reactor lid) and place it on a support stand. During the lid removal process, special attention must be paid to protecting the environmental sealing surfaces.

　　(9) Cleaning the reactor vessel interior: After each operation, use a cleaning solution (avoid using cleaning solutions that may corrode the main material) to remove any residues and clean the sealing surfaces. Regularly clean and maintain the reactor’s cleanliness. Do not use hard materials or items with rough surfaces for cleaning.

　　The above is a summary of the installation precautions for laboratory reactors. If you’d like to learn more, feel free to contact us anytime! Our company has many years of experience and looks forward to having you join us at any time.