Reaction Equipment Selection Guide
Reaction Equipment Selection Guide
A detailed guide to scientifically selecting reaction equipment across four dimensions: material, sealing, heating and agitation.
Reaction equipment overview
Reaction equipment is one of the highest-volume core assets in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Selection requires a combined view of:Material properties → material choice → sealing type → heating method → agitation configuration。
Glass-lined Reactor
Highest volume in the industry
Stainless steel reactor
Highly versatile
Magnetically sealed reactor
High-pressure/toxic duty
Titanium reactor
Special corrosion
Material and enamel selection
| Material | Corrosion resistance | Temperature resistance | Use cases | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon steel | None/mild corrosion | Standard | Non-corrosive materials | Low |
| Stainless steel 304/316/316L | Resists most acids and alkalis | Standard | Most versatile | Medium |
| Glass-lined | Resists strong acids/alkalis (depending on enamel) | -5~200 C | Highest volume in pharma and chemicals | Medium |
| Titanium | Highly corrosion-resistant | Relatively high | Severe corrosive duty | High |
| Plastic-lined (PTFE) | Highly corrosion-resistant | Limited by the liner | Severe corrosive duty | Medium-high |
Blue enamel
Resists strong acids and high temperature; most common
Dark blue enamel
General purpose
Navy enamel
Resists strong alkalis; not for strong acids
White enamel
Photochemical reactions, photosensitive materials
Key reminder:Enamel must match the material. Choosing acid-resistant enamel for strong alkali duty will drastically shorten service life.
Sealing type selection
| Sealing type | Applicable pressure | Use cases | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gland packing | Atmospheric | Standard duty | Short life, lowest cost |
| Single mechanical seal | Atmospheric to 0.6 MPa | Clean areas, standard duty | Longer life, most widely used |
| Double mechanical seal | >=0.6MPa | Critical duty | High reliability, prevents seal oil leakage |
| Magnetic seal | High pressure/high temperature | Flammable/explosive/toxic | Static seal with zero leakage; essential for high pressure |
Heating/cooling method comparison
| Method | Heat transfer efficiency | Pressure vessel? | Use cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| External coil | Relatively high | No (at atmospheric pressure) | Low area requirement; avoids pressure vessel formalities |
| External jacket | Medium | Yes when steam is used | Higher area requirement |
| Jacket + internal coil | High | Yes | Duty requiring a large heat transfer area |
| Internal + external coil | Max | Depends on the case | Special duty |
Agitation selection
| Agitator type | Applicable viscosity | Mixing effect | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paddle | Low viscosity | Mainly axial flow | Liquid mixing, heat transfer enhancement |
| Propeller | Low viscosity | Axial flow, high circulation | Solids suspension, fast mixing |
| Turbine | Medium-low viscosity | Mainly radial flow, strong shear | Emulsification, dispersion, gas-liquid mixing |
| Anchor/frame | Medium viscosity | Wall scraping, prevents fouling | High viscosity, crystallization, heat transfer |
| Ribbon | High viscosity | Bulk turnover | Pastes, high-viscosity materials |
Selection checklist
Selection confirmation
- 1.Confirm material compatibility
- 2.Confirm enamel colour matches the product
- 3.Confirm working temperature is within material limits
- 4.Confirm seal type suits pressure and product
- 5.Confirm agitator suits viscosity
- 6.Confirm heating/cooling meets the heat duty
- 7.Confirm motor explosion-proof rating and speed control
- 8.Request pressure test and leak test reports
Equipment condition check
- - Request a powered test-run video or an on-site trial run
- - Inspect wear of main components and operating condition
- - Confirm all documentation and conformity certificates are complete