What Does a Jacketed Reactor Do?
Published on November 23, 2023
What Does a Jacketed Reactor Do?
A Jacketed glass reactor, used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, is a device designed to control the temperature of the contents by means of an insulating jacket (also known as a 'Jacket'). It can be used to gently cool or heat around the basic vessel in which the cooling or heating fluid is circulating. Additionally, internal agitation can be utilized to ensure uniformity of fluid characteristics, like concentration or temperature, within the glass reaction vessels with a heat exchange jacket.
Important information about jacketed reactor:
- By introducing a material or liquid through the inner layer of a double-shell glass reactor, thermal dissolution or cooling processes can be accomplished.
- Establish communication between external cooling or heating devices and the double-shell glass reactor, ensuring optimal heat transfer.
- Maintain continuous stirring of the contents using a stirrer to ensure homogeneity of the reaction.
- The reactor is capable of operating under both natural and negative pressure, allowing agitation and reactions to be carried out under hermetic conditions.
- Once the reaction is complete, the resulting product can be poured out through a special valve placed at the bottom of the reactor. This process is particularly convenient and easy to perform.
- Overall, this type of reactor is perfect for experiments in biochemistry, advanced chemistry, advanced synthetic research and pharmaceuticals. Their fabrication includes the use of durable borosilicate glass, which has outstanding physical and chemical properties.
- Modern reactor models include an integrated motor with a digital display showing the stirring speed. A speed control tool is also present, and it operates quietly and efficiently. These reactors can operate under both pressurized and vacuum conditions. The entire design has a uniquely functional and aesthetically appealing nature.
What is a jacketed glass reactor used for
Within reactors, heat exchange systems like heating and cooling jackets find application in dissipating the heat generated by exothermic reactions or in supplying the necessary heat for desired endothermic processes.
When dealing with a glass jacketed reactor operating under high pressure conditions, potential safety challenges might arise, particularly when handling hazardous chemicals within the reactor vessel. On the contrary, coolant systems offer consistent operational temperatures reaching up to 800 °F and function under reduced pressures, thereby obviating the necessity for ASME pressure vessel certification in numerous instances. Moreover, thermal fluid systems are straightforward to upkeep and do not carry the inherent risks of scaling or corrosion commonly associated with pressurized steam setups.
The choice between thermal oil and water/glycol blends for heating and cooling the jacketed reactors depends on the specified operational temperature. At Sigma Thermal, we produce an array of thermal fluid heating setups that suit the requirements of reactor temperature control. For specialized adaptations, our team of engineers can formulate tailor-made designs aligned with specific operating parameters.