How to Use a Laboratory Reactor Correctly

　A laboratory reactor—a commonly used reaction vessel and versatile reaction container in chemical experiments—allows for precise control of critical parameters during a reaction, such as temperature, pressure, mechanical conditions, and the concentrations of reactants and products. The laboratory reactors typically used in most labs are designed to handle a wide range of experimental needs. To put it simply: You place various solvents, metals, ligands, and other reagents into the reactor, then subject them to elevated pressure and temperature. These reactors can be used for sample pretreatment in analytical techniques like atomic absorption spectroscopy or plasma emission spectroscopy. They’re also ideal for small-scale synthesis reactions. Moreover, thanks to their resistance to strong acids and bases, as well as their ability to operate under high temperature and pressure in a sealed environment, these reactors can quickly dissolve even notoriously insoluble substances. So now, let’s take a closer look at how to use laboratory reactors correctly!

　　How to Properly Use a Laboratory Reactor:

　　The operating procedure for the laboratory reactor consists of six steps:

　　1. Clean the pot

　　Based on specific experiments, physical and chemical cleaning was performed using different reagents.

　　2. Filling material

　　Transfer the reactants into the reactor body one by one in a safe manner.

　　3. Sealed pot

　　4. Heating, holding temperature, and cooling

　　5. Bring to a boil

　　Release the pressure before opening.

　　6. Remove the material.

　　Precautions for Using Laboratory Reactors

　　A laboratory reactor is a piece of reaction equipment that, during operation, can be damaged for various reasons, leading to production downtime or posing a threat to the safety of operators. Operating a reactor requires careful attention to many different aspects.

　　1. Before use, carefully inspect the reactor for cracks. Reactors with cracks should be discarded; inner liners that are damaged or distorted must be replaced.

　　2. Over-temperature and over-pressure operation is strictly prohibited.

　　3. The capacity of the reaction inner cup is typically 80% or less, and usually does not exceed half.

　　4. Exothermic or gas-producing reactions involving large amounts of heat cannot be carried out in a reaction vessel.

　　5. Don't set the oven temperature too high. The actual temperature can easily exceed the set temperature, which is very dangerous. When heating the oven, keep a safe distance from it to avoid injury from an explosion.

　　6. After cooling to room temperature, you can remove it. When handling the pot and opening the lid, take appropriate safety precautions, such as facial protection, hand and foot protection, and respiratory protection.

　　7. When opening the reactor, wait until it has completely cooled down, but be extremely careful as it may still be in a gaseous state.

　　Uses of Laboratory Reactors and Characteristics of Reactors:

　　The laboratory reactor—also known as a small-scale reactor or a conventional experimental heating reactor—is widely used in universities and research laboratories. In a broad sense, a laboratory reactor refers to a stainless steel vessel capable of accommodating physical or chemical reactions. Through its structural design and parameter configuration, the reactor can meet process requirements for heating, evaporation, cooling, as well as low- and high-speed mixing ratios. Consequently, the pressure requirements during the reaction also dictate different design specifications for the vessel. The production of laboratory reactors strictly adheres to relevant standards throughout processing, inspection, and commissioning.

　　The above is an introduction to the proper use of laboratory reactors. If you’d like to learn more, feel free to contact us anytime!