In a chemical or pharmaceutical plant, jacketed chemical reactors ask two things of their temperature control unit. First, to follow the batch temperature profile: heating to start the reaction and cooling as soon as the reaction begins to release heat. Second, to do so without ever exceeding the maximum jacket pressure.
Heating, cooling and getting there on time
Temperature control in a reactor is not a fixed value; it is a curve. At the start, heat must be supplied to get the reaction going; then, if the reaction is exothermic, that heat must be removed quickly to keep the batch within its profile. PID heating and cooling control with controlled ramps makes it possible to follow that curve without overshoot.
Protecting the jacket: the advantage that makes the difference
Glass-lined and jacketed vessels have a maximum allowable pressure, and a single momentary spike can crack the glass lining or deform a jacket. A temperature control unit that controls pressure, not just temperature, offers clear advantages:
- Soft starts: no pressure surges when the pump starts up or valves are operated.
- Safety with cold, viscous oil: pressure stays within the limit even before the fluid has reached temperature.
- Longer reactor service life: less stress on the glass lining and the jacket.
- A plant that keeps running: lower risk of breakdowns and unplanned downtime.
Temperature control units for chemical reactors with a pressure kit
For these applications, our temperature control units can be fitted with a pressure kit designed to protect the reactor:
- Frequency-controlled pump (VFD pump), which adjusts its speed to maintain a pressure setpoint.
- Expansion vessel to absorb the thermal expansion of the fluid.
- Automatic air vents to remove gas pockets.
- Static pressure preset to a defined, safe base value.
- PID heating and cooling control with controlled ramps, plus real-time graphs of temperature, pressure and flow rate with alarms.
The right fluid and temperature for every chemistry
We choose the fluid and temperature to suit the reaction, from five technologies ranging from 90 to 300 °C:
- Water with an open tank: 90 °C.
- Pressurised water WDC: 140 °C.
- Oil with an open tank: 150 °C.
- Pressurised water WIC: 180 °C.
- Oil in a closed circuit: 300 °C.
If you are unsure which of the two fluids to choose, the guide linked at the end of this article will help you decide.
The result: a final product of consistent quality
At the end of the process, all that control shows in the product. Following the temperature profile closely, batch after batch, is what delivers a final product of consistent quality – like these tablets, produced in one of the reactors our temperature control units work with.
MARSE temperature control units for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry
Tell us the reaction, the volume and the jacket pressure limit, and we will size the unit to suit your needs.
FAQs
What should a temperature control unit for a chemical reactor do?
Following the batch temperature profile: heating to start the reaction and cooling as soon as the reaction releases heat, without ever exceeding the maximum allowable jacket pressure.
Why does the reactor jacket pressure need to be controlled?
Because a valve slam, an abrupt pump start or cold, viscous oil can cause a pressure spike, and a single instant is enough to crack a glass lining or deform a jacket.
What does the pressure kit on MARSE temperature control units include?
A frequency-controlled pump that adjusts its speed to maintain a pressure setpoint, an expansion vessel, automatic air vents and a static pressure preset to a safe base value.
Which fluids and temperatures do they work with?
With five technologies from 90 to 300 °C: water with an open tank (90 °C), pressurised water WDC (140 °C) and WIC (180 °C), oil with an open tank (150 °C) and oil in a closed circuit (300 °C).
To find out more about temperature control in chemical reactors:
- MARSE temperature control units for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry
- Temperature and pressure control in jacketed reactors
- Water or oil temperature control unit: how to choose
- MARSE industrial temperature control unit range
- MARSE temperature control units in chemical reaction clean rooms and the aerospace sector
Would you like us to assess your process? Contact us or email us at marse@marse.es.