ChemTron BR-25/40 Touchscreen High-Pressure Reactor
| Brand | ChemTron |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Model | BR-25/40 |
| Working Pressure | Up to 200 bar |
| Max. Temperature | 300 °C (SS/Hastelloy), 230 °C (with PTFE liner) |
| Vessel Volume | 25 mL / 40 mL (nominal) |
| Material Options | 1.4571 (SS 316Ti), Hastelloy C-22, PTFE liner (optional) |
| Sealing | FKM (Viton®), PTFE, or FFKM (Kalrez®) O-rings |
| Heating Options | Electric heating jacket or external oil-circulation jacket |
| Stirring | Magnetic coupling-driven stirrer (top-entry, hermetic seal) |
| Interface Ports | 6 standardized 1/8″ NPT ports per lid (including thermowell, rupture disc, pressure gauge, vent valve, and two customizable ports) |
| Compliance | Designed for GLP-compliant laboratory synthesis |
Overview
The ChemTron BR-25/40 Touchscreen High-Pressure Reactor is an engineered solution for controlled, small-scale chemical synthesis under elevated temperature and pressure conditions. Built upon Couette-type sealed vessel architecture with precision-machined threaded closure, it operates on fundamental principles of isochoric reaction containment—enabling reproducible kinetic studies, catalyst screening, hydrogenation, oxidation, and hydrothermal synthesis in volumes ranging from 25 mL to 40 mL nominal capacity (actual internal volume: 30–68 mL depending on liner and geometry). Its compact footprint and modular interface design make it ideal for laboratories prioritizing sample economy, material conservation, and rapid method development—particularly when handling high-value substrates, air-sensitive reagents, or toxic intermediates. The reactor complies with pressure equipment directives (PED 2014/68/EU) for Category I devices and integrates seamlessly into regulated environments requiring audit-ready operation logs and parameter traceability.
Key Features
- Threaded lid-to-body coupling enables tool-free assembly and disassembly—ensuring repeatable sealing torque and minimizing operator-induced variability.
- Interchangeable construction materials: standard 1.4571 stainless steel (equivalent to SS 316Ti) or corrosion-resistant Hastelloy C-22; optional PTFE liner for enhanced chemical inertness and ease of cleaning.
- Hermetically sealed magnetic drive stirring system with top-entry coupling—eliminates shaft leakage risks while maintaining full pressure integrity up to 200 bar.
- Integrated six-port lid configuration: dedicated ports for Pt100/Pt1000 thermowell (dual-sensor capable), calibrated rupture disc (ASME-certified), analog/digital pressure transducer, manual vent valve, and two user-configurable ports for gas/liquid sampling, auxiliary sensors, or feed lines.
- High-temperature O-ring options: FKM (Viton®) for general-purpose use; chemically resistant PTFE encapsulated seals; ultra-stable FFKM (Kalrez®) for extended service life above 200 °C.
- Touchscreen controller (standard) provides real-time monitoring and logging of temperature, pressure, stirring speed, and time—supporting programmable ramp/soak profiles and event-triggered data capture.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The BR-25/40 accommodates heterogeneous, homogeneous, and slurry-phase reactions across organic, inorganic, and organometallic chemistry domains. Its PTFE-lined variants are routinely deployed in fluoride-mediated transformations, strong acid digestions (e.g., HF/HNO₃), and alkali fusion protocols where metallic leaching must be minimized. All wetted surfaces meet USP Class VI biocompatibility requirements when specified with appropriate elastomers. The system supports compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 analytical validation frameworks and aligns with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 data integrity expectations when paired with ChemTron’s validated software suite—including electronic signatures, audit trail generation, and role-based access control.
Software & Data Management
The integrated touchscreen HMI runs ChemTron’s ReactorControl™ firmware, offering intuitive navigation through setup menus, real-time trend visualization, and export-ready CSV/TXT data dumps. Optional PC connectivity via USB or Ethernet enables remote supervision using ChemTron LabSuite™—a Windows-based application supporting multi-reactor synchronization, automated report generation (PDF/Excel), and integration with LIMS platforms via OPC UA or Modbus TCP. All logged parameters—including timestamped pressure spikes, thermal overshoot events, and stirrer current anomalies—are retained with immutable metadata for GLP/GMP audits.
Applications
- Catalytic hydrogenation screening under <5 mol% catalyst loading
- Supercritical CO₂-assisted polymerization initiation
- Hydrothermal synthesis of MOFs and nanomaterials (e.g., TiO₂, ZIF-8)
- High-pressure enzymatic reactions (e.g., lipase-catalyzed esterification at 120 °C/80 bar)
- Thermal stability assessment of energetic materials (per ASTM E659)
- Accelerated aging studies for battery electrolyte formulations
- Gas-liquid mass transfer coefficient determination (kLa) via dynamic gassing-out method
FAQ
What is the maximum allowable working pressure and temperature for BR-25/40 with a PTFE liner?
The PTFE-lined configuration is rated for continuous operation up to 200 bar and 230 °C; exceeding this limit may compromise liner integrity and void warranty coverage.
Can the reactor be used for exothermic reactions requiring active cooling?
Yes—when equipped with an external oil-circulation jacket (e.g., JULABO FP series), precise sub-ambient temperature control down to –20 °C is achievable via compatible chiller units.
Is third-party calibration documentation available for pressure and temperature sensors?
Certified as-shipped calibration certificates (traceable to NIST or DAkkS-accredited labs) are provided upon request and included in IQ/OQ documentation packages.
How does the magnetic coupling maintain seal integrity during prolonged stirring at high viscosity?
The dual-ceramic magnet assembly (NdFeB/Samarium-Cobalt hybrid) delivers >1.2 N·m torque reserve at 1000 rpm, ensuring stable coupling even with viscosities up to 5000 mPa·s—verified per DIN 53019 shear-rate profiling.
Are custom port configurations or non-standard flange interfaces supported?
Yes—ChemTron offers engineering consultation for bespoke lid modifications, including Swagelok®-compatible fittings, optical viewports, or integrated pH/DO probes, subject to mechanical stress analysis and PED conformity assessment.
