IKA EasySyn 5000 Advanced Glass Reactor System

Overview

The IKA EasySyn 5000 Advanced Glass Reactor System is a fully integrated, modular benchtop reactor platform engineered for reproducible, scalable synthesis under controlled temperature, pressure, and agitation conditions. Built on the principles of chemical process intensification and laboratory-scale process development, it employs a double-jacketed borosilicate glass 3.3 vessel (5 L nominal volume) coupled with a high-torque top-driven stirrer and precision vacuum-rated sealing architecture. Its design supports both exothermic and endothermic reactions across a broad thermal envelope (−50 °C to +200 °C) while maintaining operational integrity at vacuum levels down to 3 mbar — enabling solvent removal, reduced-boiling-point distillations, and moisture-sensitive chemistry. Unlike generic jacketed reactors, the EasySyn 5000 Advanced integrates mechanical, thermal, and control subsystems from a single manufacturer, ensuring deterministic compatibility between stirring dynamics, thermal coupling efficiency, and software-defined protocol execution.

Key Features

• Double-walled 5 L reaction vessel fabricated from DIN ISO 3585-compliant borosilicate glass 3.3 — offering exceptional thermal shock resistance, low coefficient of thermal expansion (3.3 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹), and broad chemical inertness against organic solvents, acids, and bases.
• EUROSTAR 100 control top-mounted stirrer delivering up to 100 N·cm torque with real-time torque monitoring, programmable ramp profiles, overload protection, and integrated Pt100 temperature sensing input.
• DN 150 flanged vessel mounting system with FEP-coated O-ring seal and quick-release locking ring — enabling rapid, tool-free vessel exchange and repeatable axial alignment under vacuum.
• Spring-loaded PTFE-bottom discharge valve with zero dead-volume design — minimizing cross-contamination and facilitating quantitative transfer of viscous or particulate-laden reaction mixtures.
• Ergonomic height-adjustable support frame (500 × 950 × 580 mm) with integrated LT 5.40 quick-drain module — allowing complete jacket fluid evacuation in <15 seconds and reducing thermal inertia during temperature transitions.
• Multi-port reactor head (1 × NS 29/32 center, 2 × NS 29/32 lateral, 1 × NS 14/23 auxiliary) supporting simultaneous insertion of condensers, thermometers, addition funnels, gas inlets, and sampling probes without compromising vacuum integrity.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The EasySyn 5000 Advanced accommodates heterogeneous, multiphase, and catalytic reaction systems — including Grignard couplings, hydrogenations, polymerizations, crystallization studies, and nanoparticle syntheses. All wetted surfaces are constructed from chemically resistant materials: borosilicate glass 3.3 (vessel and lid), PTFE (valve seat and stirrer blade), and FEP (sealing elements). The system complies with CE directives for electromagnetic compatibility (EN 61000-6-2/6-3) and low-voltage safety (EN 61010-1). While not intrinsically rated for hazardous area use, its design supports integration into fume hoods and gloveboxes. For regulated environments, labworldsoft® 6 supports audit-trail-enabled operation per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when deployed with appropriate user access controls and electronic signature modules.

Software & Data Management

Control and automation are enabled through IKA’s labworldsoft® 6 software suite — a Windows-based platform supporting synchronized parameter logging (temperature, torque, RPM, time), multi-step protocol sequencing, and remote operation via RS232 or USB virtual COM port. The software records timestamped event logs with metadata (operator ID, method name, version stamp), enabling traceability for GLP/GMP-aligned workflows. Export formats include CSV and PDF reports compatible with LIMS ingestion. Optional add-ons include PID auto-tuning for jacket temperature control, real-time torque-derived viscosity estimation algorithms, and OPC UA gateway connectivity for enterprise-level data federation.

Applications

• Process development and optimization of API synthesis routes under controlled stoichiometric, thermal, and mass-transfer conditions.
• Scale-down modeling of pilot-plant reactors using geometrically similar impeller configurations and dimensionless number matching (Re, Fr, Po).
• Reaction calorimetry via jacket temperature profiling combined with real-time torque trends as indirect indicators of reaction enthalpy.
• Continuous flow precursor synthesis with inline quenching and phase separation — enabled by modular port configuration and bottom discharge capability.
• Material science applications including sol-gel processing, MOF synthesis, and colloidal nanocrystal growth requiring strict oxygen/moisture exclusion.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable operating pressure for the EasySyn 5000 Advanced?
The system is rated for low-pressure operation up to 0.5 bar gauge (absolute ~1.5 bar). It is not designed for high-pressure hydrogenation or supercritical applications.
Can the reactor be used with cryogenic cooling media such as liquid nitrogen?
Yes — the double-jacketed design supports circulation of cryogenic fluids; however, thermal shock must be mitigated via gradual ramping, and jacket fill level must remain above the vessel’s lower heating zone to prevent localized stress fractures.
Is labworldsoft® 6 included with the base system?
labworldsoft® 6 is supplied as standard firmware on the EUROSTAR 100 control unit; full PC software licensing and advanced automation modules require separate procurement.
How is vacuum integrity verified during long-duration reactions?
The FEP-sealed DN 150 interface and vacuum-rated mechanical stirrer shaft seal maintain ≤3 mbar stability over >72 h; optional integrated vacuum sensor feedback can be added via NS 14/23 port for closed-loop monitoring.
Are custom port configurations or vessel geometries available?
IKA offers engineering consultation for application-specific modifications, including alternative neck sizes, integrated sight glasses, or bespoke agitator blade profiles — subject to mechanical validation and lead-time confirmation.