Ken Kimble (Reactor Vessels) Ltd
Scale Up & Pilot Plant

Reaction and Distillation Systems in Corrosion Resistant Materials

Using glass, glass lined steel, PTFE and other corrosion resistant materials we can supply reaction vessels and all associated glassware for systems from 5 up to 250 litres vessel volume. Above this volume we use glass lined steel vessels and can provide glassware up to 600mm diameter. This allows us to provide glass overheads for very large vessels.

We constantly strive to be at the forefront of technology and always listen to the customers' requirements. Our range is continually developing and as a result we offer many items (such as bottom outlet valves, mechanical seals, etc) designed in house as there were no acceptable alternatives available. All our systems are designed to be used from atmospheric pressure to 1 mbar or less and are rated from -50oC to +200oC. Wider ranges are available.

Most of our customers are within the Pharmaceutical or Fine Chemicals businesses. We are familiar with validation, cGMP and FDA requirements. Many of our systems have been used not only for scale up but for full production.

As well as offering glass components to allow engineers to build their own systems we offer a number of standard distillation systems. Obviously, no-one ever buys a standard system, but they are a good starting point for the user to design their own system.

These distillation systems include the following as a standard:
 

  • Distillation
  • Azeotropic separation (phase separation of condensate) except GR15
  • Chemical reactions
  • Mixing of liquids and solids
  • Crystallisation
  • Heating and cooling
     

Special Versions
 

  • Rectification
  • Extraction/ phase separation in vessel
  • Agitation in feed vessel
  • Jacketed feed vessels/ receiver vessels
  • Automated systems
  • Almost anything else
     

Accessories
 

  • Winch for GR15 to CR60 (to lower vessel base)
  • Second feed vessel
  • Gas inlet tube
  • pH electrode and holder
  • Sampling device
  • Heating/cooling systems
  • Agitator torque measurement
  • Agitator speed measurement
  • Pressure/vacuum measurement
  • Pressure/vacuum control
Buchiflex Flexible Glass Joint

Buchiflex Flexible Glass Joint
Typical ChemReactor System with Local Display and Heater/Chiller

Typical ChemReactor System with Local Display and Heater/Chiller
Glass Components

Glass Components
3D Drawing of a Typical Engineered Project

3D Drawing of a Typical Engineered Project

Tubular Frames

A tubular frame constructed entirely from 316L stainless steel is the standard.  The frame is sized to suit the system and provides the necessary rigidity to support the glassware.

Heating/Cooling

Glass lined steel provides the best compromise between corrosion resistance and heat transfer.  The jackets are rated to 10 bar so that steam can be used but we prefer using a heat transfer fluid such as silicone oil to allow greater control and a wider temperature range.  Each glass lined steel jacket is insulated and then clad in stainless steel.  On smaller vessels, glass jacketed versions are available to allow the user a better view of the contents of the vessel.

Agitation

Our standard agitation system is based on a retreat blade impeller together with a baffle to provide excellent mixing over a wide range of viscosities.  Many other stirrer systems are possible, depending on the application.
Please contact us with questions or comments about this website.
© 2001-2005 Ken Kimble (Reactor Vessels) Ltd. All rights reserved. Ken Kimble (Reactor Vessels) Ltd., Unit 15, Bourne Enterprise Centre, Borough Green, Kent, UK  TN15 8DG. Tel: 01732 882791 Fax: 01732 885840