Glass autoclave reactor offers an incredible resistance against acids while offering a visual process control as well as monitoring. This is vital since understanding a process requires measuring and recording various parameters. Furthermore, the physical change of any substance is considered as one of the essential factors for process understanding, it might be measurable; however, you can observe it by looking at the reaction process via a glass wall. To better understand such processes, it is best to use a glass autoclave.
Glass autoclave is resistant to corrosion and offers high resistance against numerous acids out there, thus giving you a visual process and monitoring. Usually, an autoclave work using moist heat sterilization principle; this is where the steam under pressure is used in sterilizing materials that are present in a chamber. Due to high pressure, the boiling point of water is increased; this principle aids in achieving higher sterilization temperatures. In this article, we shall be discussing more the Glass Autoclave Reactor.
The Structure of WKIE LAB Glass Autoclave Reactor
WKIE LAB is well-known for manufacturing quality glass automotive reactors; this has helped them achieve an incredibly high level of trust in today’s market. They design a glass autoclave reactor that is capable of controlling the temperature of its content; their autoclave achieves this with the help of cooling or a heating jacket that has been installed around the vessel. The jacket is in a cavity external of the vessel, and it allows for a uniform exchange of heat between fluids circulating inside it and the wall of the vessel.
Understanding the structure of an autoclave will help you know the device operates. However, you should note that operating an autoclave is never an easy task. The device is equipped with some sophisticated controls that are worth understanding their functions prior to operating it. A glass autoclave reactor features an incredible structure; these features aids in regulating temperature, advance operation, and offering uniform heat exchange, among others. Some of these essential features equipped a glass autoclave reactor;
- Reflux unit
The glass autoclave reactor is equipped with a reflux unit. The purpose of this feature is to help in trapping solvent vapor; this helps in making the concentration of reactants to remain constant. Its primary function is to heat the solution in a controlled manner and at a constant temperature.
- Control panel
Every modern glass autoclave reactor is equipped with a controller interface; it is a bit different from your oven or microwave. Glass autoclave reactor control panel is a bit sophisticated and very complicated compared to the household appliances. The sterilization process tends to follow a software recipe that tends to take the process in a series of phases involving closing and opening of valves as well as components in a particular sequence.
As a result, autoclave needs some form of control is it a simple push button, a complex system with a microprocessor. With the control panel, you will be able to regulate temperature, pressure, and vacuum. Controlling a glass autoclave reactor is highly essential in order for one to achieve the required result. This means that you need to understand all the necessary controls available in the control panel.
- Rugged steel-reinforced PTFE agitator with anchor
A glass autoclave reactor is equipped with a rugged steel-reinforced agitator with an anchor that makes it ideal for materials with different viscosity. The best part is that it is constructed from PTFE material, which the best material when it comes to withstanding high-pressure and high temperatures. Durability is an essential aspect that you need to consider when purchasing any product, and a glass autoclave is no different. Always look for an autoclave designed using PTFE material for perfect durability.
- Zero dead space detachable drain valve (PTFE)
The Zero dead space detachable drain valve is designed to help in preventing solids from collecting at an autoclave reactor’s bottom. Usually, the drainage valve is connected to the autoclave reactor with three beaded pipe valves, which is sealed at the bottom of the reactor. For perfect durability, this drainage valve is constructed using a PTFE material, which is capable of withstanding immense temperature and pressure.
- Dropping funnel
The dropping funnel aids in transferring fluids; usually, they are equipped with a stopcock that allows for a controlled dropping. Pouring reagents is a critical step you need to carry out with utmost care; to make the process much safer, most glass autoclave reactors are equipped with dropping funnel.
- Vacuum meter
Vacuum meter is highly essential in a glass autoclave reactor; it aids in ensuring that the air in the chamber is replaced with steam. The vacuum meter aids in removing air forcibly by pulling a vacuum on a chamber before the cycle (this process is known as post-vacuum). By doing so, it gets rid of the remaining steam in a chamber and ensures that the goods are well dried in the autoclave.
- Reaction flask
Glass autoclave reactors are equipped with reaction flasks. These flasks have a round bottom and are made from borosilicate glass. As a result, the reaction flask features a low coefficient of thermal expansion; this makes them more resistant to thermal shock compared to the common glasses.
- Heavy-duty lockable casters
Glass autoclave reactors are equipped with heavy-duty lockable casters. When you lock the heavy-duty caster, the swivel caster becomes rigid and preventing it from moving. This locking caster offers flexibility when working in a tight area; furthermore, it helps in making transportation much more comfortable and safe.
The Highlight of WLIE LAB Glass Autoclave
WKIE LAB is a professional lab equipment manufacturer from China, committing to providing you with the best apparatus from all aspects. And we have a long time experience in producing the best autoclave glass reactor.
Thus, in this part, we will show you the highlights of the WKIE LAB glass autoclave and why you can choose us without hesitation.
The reactor’s lid is made of high borosilicate glass
For maximum durability, the cover of a glass autoclave reactor is made from a high-borosilicate glass. This is a type of glass that contains boron trioxide, and it allows for low coefficient thermal expansion; this means that the glass will not crack under extreme temperature change, which is often common in regular glasses. Since it has an incredible durability, it has made the best choice for a glass autoclave reactor’s lid.
Reactor flask is made of high borosilicate glass
Just the lid, the flask of a glass autoclave reactor is designed using a borosilicate glass 3.3, allowing it to withstand immense pressure. This material is highly essential since a reactor’s flask in exposed to extreme pressure when the autoclave is in use.
Discharge
The type of material used in an autoclave drainage system has a significant impact. For a better performance, an autoclave made from PTFE material is considered the best; this is because it is capable of withstanding a temperature level of more than 100 degrees Celsius. In addition to that, it should be kept in a zero-dead corner for a better discharging solution.
Stirrer
A stirrer is considered a great feature in an autoclave; this is because it aids in agitating liquid and speed up reactions and improving mixtures. Furthermore, a glass autoclave reactor equipped with several pattern aids in fitting solutions that have different viscosity.
Mechanical sealing
A glass autoclave reactor equipped with mechanical sealing aid in preventing leakages of liquids or gases. This is highly essential in an autoclave application since it prevents liquids from leaking, making them remain in a stationary position.
Application of glass autoclave reactor
Glass autoclave reactor has been designed to be used in several applications, including laboratories, researches, and industries, among other essential applications. A glass autoclave reactor allows for an easy data collection for high-pressure, high-temperature reactions that tend to have difficult flow properties.
It includes reactants which are solid while they are in room temperature or a mixture of solid and liquid. Usually, some of the reactions carried out in an autoclave include; petroleum residuals, coal liquefaction, and coal liquids upgrading as well as high-molecular-weight hydrogenation experiments.
Medical application of glass autoclave reactor
In medicine, the autoclave is used in sterilizing equipment; this means that it aids in killing viruses, bacteria, spores, and fungi. However, you should note that some disease-causing pathogens, such as the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, cannot be destroyed when using an autoclave reactor. Nevertheless, several medical procedures rely on the autoclave, which makes a glass autoclave reactor a vital device.
Research application of glass autoclave reactor
Nowadays, there is an increase in glass autoclave reactor usage in research and industrial settings; this includes biomedical research. Glass autoclave reactors used in research are designed for conducting researches; this means that cannot be used a medical setup. This is because it is not designed to sterilize instruments that can be used on humans; however, they have been designed to offer flexibility, efficiency, and be relatively easy to operate.
Precautions of Using A Glass Autoclave Reactor
A glass autoclave reactor is a vital device that helps in carrying out several essential procedures. However, there are some precautions you will need to consider when using an autoclave. These precautions are highly essential to keep them in mind, and they include;
- When using an autoclave, you should avoid sterilizing waterproof materials such as grease and oil or any dry material like a glove powder.
- Avoid overfilling the chamber; load your material in a way that will allow for efficient penetration of steam. It is not only efficient but also safe to run two individual autoclaves than one that is overcrowded.
- You should not objects that are wrapped in aluminum foil since they will interfere with the penetration of steam. This means that you should wrap your project using a material that will allow the penetration of steam.
- The material should not touch the top or inside the chamber.
- Avoid the use of polythene trays since they melt easily and can cause damage to the autoclave.
With this important information, operating a glass autoclave reactor will not be that much challenging. You should always keep in mind that operating a glass autoclave reactor is a bit challenging, and to do it to perfection, you will need to understand all controls equipped in the device. Glass autoclave reactor is made from high quality material that makes it with stand high-temperatures and incredibly high-pressure. In addition to that, ithas been designed to withstand corrosive acids, this make it the perfect device for carrying out several expereiments and researches. As we come to a conclusion, you should always consider adhering to the above information in order to operate an autoclave in a safe way.