Multi Reactor Systems for Parallel Screening of Catalysts and Combinatorial Research
Building on their existing world leading knowledge of high pressure laboratory stirred and fixed bed reactors, Autoclave Engineers have manufactured and supplied a wide range of custom configured multi reactor systems to customers all over the world. Merrow Scientific are the UK technical contact for the Autoclave Engineers multi reactors.
These systems are designed to allow research to be carried out where the researcher can easily vary one or more parameters in each reactor - temperature, stirring speed, pressure, amount of catalyst etc. These parameters can be tightly controlled and monitored through the dedicated control system and software.
Multi Reactor System - Laboratory Stirred Reactor 
Typically these systems have been configuring using the popular Autoclave Engineers Mini Reactor and Sentinel Controller. The reactor is configured with accessories to meet the customer's exact research requirements (e.g. sample tube with filter, type of impeller, gas inlet, vent valve, cooling coil, volume, vessel and seal material) and then integrated with any mass flow controllers required (for accurate feeding of gas for tight pressure control and monitoring of gas uptake), forward or backward pressure regulators, any automated valves for sample taking and any liquid pumps etc. All of these are then controlled through the Sentinel to allow exact research to be carried out. Several units can then be run through one dedicated software to allow parameters to be controlled and recorded throughout the experiment.
This allows batch reactions and also continuous reactions to be carried out where pressure can be tightly controlled and gas uptake accurately measured allowing researchers to quantify the kinetics of their reactions.
Systems have been supplied in a variety of configurations to exactly suit the research requirements of the customer, including units featuring 4 stirred mini reactors (and mass flow controllers etc) to be located inside a fume cupboard (as pictured).
Multi Reactor System - Fixed Bed Reactor
Other types of research may need to be carried out through fixed bed reactors. Autoclave Engineers are now leading the way in systems allowing multi reactor fixed bed - building on the success of the BTRS (Bench Top Reaction System) units have been designed with multiple fixed reactors. 
Recently a lot of work is going on into the Fischer Tropsch reaction converting coal to liquids, gas to diesel, wax to diesel etc. The Fischer Tropsch reaction is the catalytic conversion of synthesis gas (a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide) to long chained hydrocarbon molecules then used as a synthetic fuel. Typically the synthesis gas is produced by the gasification of coal or biomass etc (this gasification process and its efficiency is something that can be studied using the Rubotherm gravimetric system). The high recent oil price and the continuous search for alternative fuel sources is pushing petrochemical and other companies and institutes to investigate this research further. Autoclave Engineers are leading the way in designing and manufacturing equipment for this research to be possible.
Fixed bed systems such as the one to the right have been designed for combinatorial catalyst screening. The system is designed inside an oven based environment ensuring no cold spots that could result in forming of wax build ups etc and costly experimental downtime. Systems can include mass flow controllers, mixer vapourisers, wet test meters, gas liquid separators and whatever else the researcher needs, as always the system is designed to suit the research not the other way!
Multi Reactor System - Fixed Bed and/or Stirred Reactor
Not sure which direction your research will take? Or wish to investigate a variety of process variables including fixed bed or CSTR (continuous stirred tank reactor) systems then we can design an integrated system with both! These have now been designed and supplied to a number of customers.
As with all Autoclave Engineers reactors and systems they are designed to suit your research requirements - so please contact us with your requirements.
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