Temperature control of pressure reactors in Lab and Pilot Plants

Accurate temperature control of chemical reactors is important for the chemical process as well as for safety reasons (on exothermic reactions especially).There are 2 ways of accurate temperature control of chemical pressure reactors:

Electrical heating for pressure reactors

In case of electrical heating, heating elements are integrated in the  temperature control block (limbo and limbo li high temperature / high pressure reactors) or on other Buchi pressure systems on the reactor itself. Integrated cooling coils can be connected to water or compressed air. The Buchi btc PID temperature controller ensures accurate process temperatures and efficient heating. This temperature control systems is used on Lab – and Pilot scale pressure reactors made of stainless steel, Hastelloy and other metals. It is also available in (ATEX) Ex version.

The typical temperature range is from room temperature up to 500°C.

Temperature control units (TCU) used with jacketed reactors

TCUs are used for accurate temperature control in combination with jacketed reactors. By circulating a heat transfer oil through the reactors jacket, efficient heating and cooling of the process media as well  as  stable process temperature is achieved. Temperature control with TCUs is used for chemical reactors made of glass, glass lined steel, but also made of stainless steel, Hastelloy and other metals.

TCUs installed outside of the Ex zone, connected to reactors inside Ex Zone 1 or 2, require an additional Buchi isolation barrier. For large TCUs, see also glass equipment, auxiliary equipment.

Chemical reactors can be operated by TUCs with heat transfer oils of different temperature ranges from -80°C up to 300°C – info on request.  Typical operation temperature: -50 °C to +250 °C