PSK-300mL High-Temperature and High-Pressure Batch Reactor

Overview

The PSK-300mL High-Temperature and High-Pressure Batch Reactor is an engineered laboratory-scale reaction system designed for controlled synthesis, catalytic testing, hydrothermal processing, and supercritical fluid reactions under extreme thermodynamic conditions. Based on the Couette-type sealed vessel architecture, it operates on a static batch principle—where reactants are loaded into a hermetically sealed chamber, subjected to precisely regulated temperature and pressure profiles, and monitored in real time. Its robust construction meets ISO 15143-1 (pressure equipment safety) and ASME BPVC Section VIII Div. 1 design guidelines for Class I pressure vessels. The reactor supports both inert atmosphere operation (e.g., N₂, Ar purging) and reactive gas introduction (e.g., H₂, CO, NH₃), making it suitable for heterogeneous catalysis, materials precursor decomposition, and geochemical simulation studies. All wetted surfaces comply with ASTM A240 and ASTM B564 standards for corrosion-resistant alloys.

Key Features

• Modular thermal management: Fixed-position electric heating modules ensure uniform axial and radial heat distribution; finned aluminum heat sinks mitigate thermal accumulation at the flange interface.
• Full-separation design: The reactor body and heater assembly are mechanically decoupled via standardized flange interfaces, enabling rapid disassembly without tool re-alignment—critical for high-throughput screening workflows.
• Dual-range pressure instrumentation: Analog stainless steel pressure gauge (0–70 MPa) provides immediate visual feedback, while optional digital transducer output (4–20 mA or RS485) enables integration with SCADA or LIMS platforms.
• Multi-point safety redundancy: Includes mechanical burst disc (rated at 110% of MAWP), spring-loaded relief valve with manual reset, and programmable overpressure cut-off logic tied to the PID controller’s analog input loop.
• Configurable material options: Standard AISI 304 stainless steel construction; upgrade paths available for 316L (chloride resistance), Hastelloy C-276 (reducing acid environments), titanium Grade 2 (lightweight + halogen compatibility), or zirconium 702 (HF service).
• Gas handling infrastructure: Precision-machined SS 316 needle valves with VCR face-seal connections (1/8″ and 1/4″) provide leak-tight control for inlet, purge, vent, and sampling lines—validated per ISO 15848-1 Class A fugitive emission limits.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PSK-300mL accommodates solid, liquid, slurry, and gaseous reactants—including corrosive media such as concentrated acids, alkalis, halogenated solvents, and supercritical CO₂. Optional quartz or PTFE-lined inserts extend compatibility to HF-based etching chemistries and photoreactive systems. All configurations conform to GLP and GMP documentation requirements: traceable calibration certificates (NIST-traceable pressure and temperature references), material test reports (MTRs) per EN 10204 3.1, and FAT/SAT protocols available upon request. The system supports audit-ready electronic records when paired with compliant data acquisition software (see Software & Data Management section).

Software & Data Management

The integrated PID controller features embedded data logging (up to 10,000 points) with timestamped pressure, temperature, and setpoint values stored internally or exported via USB. Optional PC-based software (Windows/Linux compatible) provides real-time graphing, alarm event tagging, and CSV export compliant with ASTM E2500-22 for raw data integrity. When configured with FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant firmware, the system delivers electronic signatures, audit trails, role-based access control, and immutable record retention—meeting requirements for regulated pharmaceutical process development and QC release testing.

Applications

• Catalyst evaluation under industrially relevant conditions (e.g., Fischer–Tropsch, ammonia synthesis, hydrodesulfurization)
• Synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), perovskites, and nanomaterials via solvothermal routes
• Thermal stability assessment of battery electrolytes and electrode slurries
• Geochemical modeling of mineral dissolution/precipitation kinetics at crustal P–T conditions
• Polymerization kinetics studies under supercritical monomer environments
• Hydrogenation, oxidation, and nitration reactions requiring precise stoichiometric gas dosing

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) for the standard PSK-300mL configuration?

The standard AISI 304 version is rated for 60 MPa at 20 °C, derated linearly per ASME UG-27 to 42 MPa at 500 °C. Higher-pressure variants require Hastelloy or titanium construction and third-party hydrostatic certification.

Can the reactor be used for corrosive halogen-containing media?

Yes—when constructed from titanium Grade 2 or zirconium 702, it demonstrates immunity to wet chlorine, hydrogen fluoride, and bromine vapors up to 400 °C. Quartz liners are recommended for HF–HNO₃ mixtures.

Is vacuum capability validated to ISO 2859-1 sampling standards?

The integrated vacuum system achieves ≤1 Pa absolute (verified by calibrated Pirani gauge), sufficient for degassing, solvent removal, and inert gas purging cycles per ISO 14644-1 Class 5 cleanroom protocols.

Does the system support automated gas dosing and mass flow control?

While not included as standard, the 1/8″ and 1/4″ VCR ports are fully compatible with commercial MFCs (e.g., Brooks Instrument SLA series) and pneumatic actuators for closed-loop gas addition—integration requires custom manifold design and I/O mapping.

Are calibration certificates provided for pressure and temperature sensors?

Yes—each unit ships with NIST-traceable calibration reports for the pressure gauge and K-type thermocouple, valid for 12 months from date of manufacture. Annual recalibration services are available under ISO/IEC 17025-accredited procedures.