HJCHEM manufactures glass reactor systems for laboratory research, process development, kilo lab and pilot-scale production. Our glass reactors are available in single-wall, jacketed and triple-wall configurations, with capacities from small benchtop systems up to 200 L pilot reactors.
Depending on your process, the reactor can be configured for heating and cooling, vacuum operation, reflux, distillation, controlled feeding, gas introduction, crystallization, filtration and other process requirements.
In addition to standard configurations, HJCHEM provides custom glass reactor designs with customized vessel geometry, lid ports, agitation systems, condensers, baffles, instrumentation, supporting frames and process accessories.
Explore HJCHEM Glass Reactor Systems
HJCHEM offers glass reactor systems for laboratory research, process development, kilo lab and pilot-scale applications. Depending on the required temperature-control method, operating conditions and process functions, the reactor can be configured as a single-wall, jacketed, triple-wall or fully customized system.
Single-wall Glass Reactor
Single-wall glass reactors feature a simple vessel structure without an external heat-transfer jacket. Heating or cooling is normally provided by an external heating mantle or temperature-controlled bath.
Key Features:
- Simple and economical reactor design
- Clear visibility of the entire reaction vessel
- External heating or cooling by mantle or bath
- Variable-speed mechanical agitation
- Multiple lid ports for feeding, sensing, reflux or vacuum connections
- Easy operation, cleaning and maintenance
Suitable for: general laboratory reactions, mixing, dissolution, formulation and other processes that do not require jacket-based temperature control.
Jacketed Glass Reactors
Jacketed glass reactors feature an external heat-transfer jacket around the process vessel. A heating or cooling circulator can continuously pass thermal fluid through the jacket to provide controlled process temperatures.
Key Features:
- Efficient jacket-based heating and cooling
- Precise and stable process temperature control
- Compatible with heating and cooling circulators
- Suitable for vacuum operation when properly configured
- Supports reflux, distillation and solvent recovery setups
- Available from laboratory to pilot-scale capacities
Suitable for: chemical synthesis, crystallization, extraction, reflux, vacuum distillation, concentration and process scale-up.
Triple-wall Glass Reactors
Triple-wall glass reactors add an additional outer glass layer around the heat-transfer jacket. The space between the jacket and outer wall provides additional thermal insulation for demanding low-temperature processes.
Key Features:
- Additional outer insulating glass layer
- Reduced heat gain from the surrounding environment
- Helps reduce external condensation and frosting
- More stable operation at sub-zero temperatures
- Compatible with low-temperature circulating systems
- Maintains full visual observation of the reaction process
Suitable for: low-temperature synthesis, sub-zero reactions, low-temperature crystallization and processes requiring improved thermal insulation.
Custom Glass Reactor
Custom glass reactors are designed around process requirements that cannot be fully addressed by standard reactor configurations. The vessel, frame, connections, agitation system and auxiliary equipment can all be adapted to the application.
Customizable Features:
- Vessel capacity, dimensions and geometry
- Number, size and arrangement of lid ports
- Agitator and impeller configuration
- Internal baffles
- Single or dual condenser arrangements
- Liftable or tiltable vessel designs
- Bottom discharge and integrated filtration
- Temperature, pH and other process instrumentation
- Gas inlet, vacuum and controlled feeding connections
- Customized frame dimensions for restricted installation spaces
- Integration with TCU, vacuum pump, dosing pumps and PLC control
Suitable for: vacuum reactions, coprecipitation, low-temperature reactions, crystallization, filtration-integrated processes, fume hood installation and other specialized laboratory or pilot processes.
HJCHEM Standard Glass Reactor Specifications
| Specification | GR-10L | GR-20L | GR-30L | GR-50L | GR-80L | GR-100L | GR-150L | GR-200L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal Vessel Capacity | 10 L | 20 L | 30 L | 50 L | 80 L | 100 L | 150 L | 200 L |
| Approx. Jacket Volume | 2 L | 5 L | 8 L | 15 L | 20 L | 20 L | 40 L | 45 L |
| Flange Diameter | 265 mm | 340 mm | ||||||
| Lid Ports | 6 standard ports: agitator, liquid feed, temperature probe, solid charging, reflux and constant-pressure addition. Port configuration can be customized. | |||||||
| Vessel–Lid Connection | Flange connection | |||||||
| Vacuum, Empty Vessel (Gauge) | −0.098 MPa | |||||||
| Constant-Pressure Addition Funnel | Standard | |||||||
| Reflux Assembly | Spherical or cylindrical type, optional | |||||||
| Condenser | Vertical glass condenser | |||||||
| Receiving Flask | Glass receiving flask, optional | |||||||
| Temperature & Speed Display | Digital display of process temperature and stirring speed | |||||||
| Stirring Speed | 0–400 rpm | 0–300 rpm | ||||||
| Agitator Shaft Seal | Self-lubricating mechanical seal | Shaft-sleeve mechanical seal | ||||||
| Impeller | Single-stage four-blade propeller | Double-stage four-blade propeller | ||||||
| Motor Power | 120 W | 200 W | ||||||
| Reduction Ratio | 1:3 | |||||||
| Power Supply | 220 V, 50/60 Hz; other voltages available on request | |||||||
| Certification | CE | |||||||
Note: Specifications shown above are standard configurations and can be customized according to process requirements. Actual operating vacuum depends on the complete system configuration, sealing condition and vacuum pump.
How To Choose the Right Glass Reactor?
Selecting a glass reactor only by vessel capacity is usually not enough. The complete configuration should be based on the process conditions.
1. Determine the Required Working Volume
First confirm the actual material working volume per batch rather than only specifying a nominal reactor size.
The reactor normally requires sufficient free volume for agitation, foaming, boiling, feeding and vapor space. The required vessel size therefore depends on both batch volume and process behavior.
2. Define the Operating Temperature
Confirm:
- Normal operating temperature
- Minimum temperature
- Maximum temperature
- Heating rate, if important
- Cooling rate, if important
The required temperature range affects the vessel configuration and the selection of the heating/cooling circulator.
For low-temperature operation, a triple-wall reactor may be considered to reduce heat gain and external condensation.
3. Confirm the Vacuum Requirement
Specify whether the reactor will operate:
- At atmospheric pressure
- Under vacuum during reaction
- Under vacuum for concentration
- Under vacuum for distillation
- Under vacuum for solvent recovery
When selecting a vacuum glass reactor, consider the required operating pressure, sealing system, condenser, receiver and vacuum pump together.
4. Provide Material Properties
Important process information includes:
- Liquid or slurry
- Viscosity
- Solids content
- Particle or crystal size
- Corrosiveness
- Tendency to foam
- Tendency to crystallize or precipitate
These properties affect agitator selection, outlet size, vessel geometry and filtration requirements.
5. Define the Mixing Requirement
The required agitation system depends on what the agitator needs to accomplish.
Typical requirements include:
- Liquid blending
- Solid suspension
- Dissolution
- Crystallization
- Precipitation
- Heat-transfer enhancement
Providing viscosity and solids information helps determine a more suitable agitator configuration.
6. Determine Reflux and Distillation Requirements
If the reactor will be used for reflux, solvent recovery or distillation, provide:
- Process solvent
- Boiling temperature
- Operating vacuum
- Approximate evaporation rate, if known
- Reflux or distillation requirement
This information helps determine the condenser arrangement and receiver configuration.
7. Confirm Feeding and Instrumentation Requirements
Consider what needs to enter or monitor the reactor during operation.
Typical requirements include:
- Liquid dosing
- Powder or solid feeding
- Gas introduction
- Temperature measurement
- pH measurement
- Sampling
- Vacuum connection
- Reflux or distillation connection
These functions determine the number and layout of lid ports.
8. Select the Required Supporting Equipment
A complete glass reactor system include:
- Heating and cooling circulator
- Low-temperature circulator
- Vacuum pump
- Dosing pump
- Condenser
- Receiver
- Gas supply system
- Scrubber
- PLC control system
HJCHEM can configure the reactor and auxiliary equipment as an integrated system based on the process requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the difference between a single-wall and jacketed glass reactor?
A single-wall reactor relies on an external heating or cooling method, while a jacketed reactor circulates heat-transfer fluid around the vessel. Jacketed reactors provide more convenient and controllable temperature regulation for most process applications.
2. When should I use a triple-wall glass reactor?
A triple-wall reactor is mainly considered for low-temperature processes where additional insulation is useful for reducing heat gain, external condensation and frosting.
3. Can a glass reactor operate under vacuum?
Many jacketed glass reactor systems can be configured for vacuum operation. The required vacuum level and process conditions should be confirmed before selecting the reactor and sealing system.
4. Can a glass reactor operate under positive pressure?
No, standard laboratory glass reactors are generally intended for atmospheric or vacuum operation rather than significant positive pressure. If positive pressure is required, the pressure requirement should be confirmed separately and a suitable pressure-rated reactor technology should be selected.
5. What size glass reactor should I choose?
The vessel should be selected according to the actual batch volume plus sufficient free space for agitation, feeding, foaming, boiling and vapor generation. Providing the material quantity and process description allows a more appropriate working volume to be recommended.
6. Can the number of reactor lid ports be customized?
Yes. Port quantity, diameter and function can be customized for feeding, sensors, gas introduction, vacuum, condensers, sampling and other process requirements.
7. Which agitator should I use?
The agitator depends on material viscosity, solids content and mixing objectives. Providing material properties and the required mixing function helps determine a suitable impeller configuration.
8. Can HJCHEM supply the complete glass reactor system?
Yes. In addition to the reactor, HJCHEM can configure temperature-control equipment, vacuum pumps, condensers, receivers, dosing pumps, instrumentation and other auxiliary equipment according to the process.
Need a Glass Reactor for Your Process?
Tell us how you plan to use the reactor, and our team can help configure the vessel size, jacket design, agitation system, condenser, ports and supporting equipment.
For a faster recommendation, please provide:
- Required working volume
- Process materials
- Operating temperature
- Vacuum requirement
- Material viscosity and solids content, if applicable
- Required feeding method
- Reflux or distillation requirement
- Required instruments
- Destination country