Operating Procedures and Precautions for Laboratory Reactors

Laboratory reaction vessels are widely used in industries such as chemical engineering, petroleum, and food processing. Their introduction has fundamentally solved the shaft seal leakage problem—previously insurmountable with packing seals and mechanical seals. Below, we’ll introduce you to the operating procedures and important precautions for using laboratory reaction vessels.

When using a laboratory reactor, it’s crucial to master the correct operating procedures to avoid any problems. First, place the reactants into the reactor vessel, ensuring that the amount of reactants does not exceed 80% of the vessel’s capacity; in practical applications, it’s generally recommended to keep the fill level below 75%. Once you’ve completed these steps, the next step is to place the reactor into an oven or other heating device and raise the temperature at the prescribed rate until the desired reaction temperature is reached. The purpose of this step is to ensure that the temperature never exceeds the reactor’s maximum design limit. If the reactants you’re using are corrosive, be sure to line the reactor interior with a corrosion-resistant material—such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or para-aramid—to prevent corrosion. After the reaction is complete, proceed to cool and lower the temperature of the reactor. Here, we’d like to emphasize that the cooling process must also be carried out strictly according to the specified procedures to guarantee safety. Proper operation can significantly extend the lifespan of the hydrothermal reactor. Next, wait until the temperature inside the reactor has dropped below the boiling point of the reactants before opening the reactor lid. At this stage, the stirring speed is typically high, and for microorganisms with long hyphae, the shear forces generated by stirring could have adverse effects on the hyphae.

Secondly, once you’ve mastered the operating procedures for the laboratory reactor, it’s equally important to be aware of the associated precautions. We recommend that before each use, you carefully inspect the reactor for any cracks. If cracks are found, the reactor should be discarded immediately. Any inner vessel that is damaged or deformed must be replaced. Additionally, reactions that generate significant heat or gases should never be carried out in this reactor. It is strictly forbidden to operate the reactor beyond its specified temperature and pressure limits. Moreover, the capacity of the reactor’s reaction vessel should generally not exceed half of its total volume. During operation, you must also take care to prevent the oven temperature from becoming excessively high—remember that the actual temperature can easily exceed the set temperature. If you fail to pay attention to these details, serious hazards could arise. When heating the oven, always keep a safe distance from the reactor to avoid the risk of explosion and injury. Furthermore, the reactor should only be removed once it has cooled down to room temperature. At this stage, personnel handling the reactor must wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including facial protection, hand and foot protection, and respiratory protection. Another crucial point to note is that when opening the reactor, you must wait until it has completely cooled down. Even then, you still need to exercise extreme caution, as residual gases may still be present inside the reactor.

The above is the operating procedure and important precautions for using laboratory reactors. That’s all for today’s knowledge point—hopefully, it will be helpful to more friends. We look forward to bringing you even more exciting content in the next episode.