hydrothermal reactor

Types of Hydrothermal Reactors

A hydrothermal reactor is a piece of equipment created to produce specific chemical reactions under particular temperature and pressure conditions. The reactors help to foster organic matter transformation and mineralization. Below are some types of hydrothermal reactors for sale.

• Hydrothermal Carbonization Reactors

  The hydrothermal carbonization reactor is commonly used to convert wet biomass into a solid product (biochar) under high-temperature conditions. Hydrothermal carbonization reactors can be used for energy recovery, soil enhancement, and biomass treatment. It works by heating the biomass in an environment without oxygen. This results in the breakdown of the biomass to produce hydrochar, a carbon-rich solid. HTC also produces organic liquids and gas that can be used as energy sources.

• Supercritical Fluid Reactors

  Supercritical fluid reactors use hydrothermal processing to transform biomass or organic materials into valuable chemicals or fuels by taking advantage of the properties of water under supercritical conditions. Supercritical water has unique solvent properties that can break down complex organic molecules. This reaction produces a wide range of products, such as oils, gas, and inorganic residues. The char and Ash can be used for soil enhancement or as industrial raw materials.

• The Continuous flow Hydrothermal Reactors

  Continuous flow hydrothermal reactors are designed to produce substances through uninterrupted or steady-state flowing processes. The device has a pump that supplies the reactants in a continuous manner. The temperature is then increased using heating jackets or coils to initiate the desired reaction. The products are subsequently collected continuously or at specific intervals. This type of hydrothermal reactor is quite useful in the large-scale production of chemicals, materials, and fuel.

• The Batch Hydrothermal Reactors

  A batch hydrothermal reactor carries out a specific chemical reaction in just one container or batch. The reactor comes with a heating system that increases the temperature and holds the pressure for the reaction to take place. After a while, the reactor cools down before the processed materials are extracted.

• The Stirred-Tank Hydrothermal Reactors

  This type of reactor has a cylindrical tank that is frequently stirred or agitated during the reaction. When a reactant enters the tank, it is exposed to high-temperature and high-pressure conditions. This helps to enhance the mixing and reaction among the components. The stirred-tank hydrothermal reactor can be used for material synthesis, bio-recovery, etc.

Specifications & Maintenance of Hydrothermal Reactors

• Capacity

  Hydrothermal reactors typically have capacities ranging from small bench-top models (around 100 milliliters to 2 liters) to larger industrial-scale systems that can handle several liters, even up to thousands of liters of reaction volume.

• Temperature and Pressure

  Hydrothermal reactors can operate at high temperatures and pressures. The temperature range varies among reactors, but it is normally between 200 and 600 degrees Celsius. The reaction temperature can even be as high as 1000 °C in some special types of hydrothermal reactors. The pressure in a hydrothermal reactor is usually between 5 and 50 bars. Nevertheless, some reactors have the ability to withstand pressures as high as 1000 bars.

• Material

  Hydrothermal reactors are usually built with special alloys or ceramics that can withstand high temperatures and corrosive environments. Common materials include Inconel, Hastelloy, Teflon, etc., which have excellent thermal resistance and chemical stability.

• Safety Features

  Hydrothermal reactors are usually equipped with various safety features, such as pressure relief valves, emergency shutdown systems, and safety interlocks. These safety components can help protect the reactor from overpressure, overheating, or other hazardous conditions.

To keep hydrothermal reactors working effectively and safely, it's essential to maintain them regularly, following the manufacturer's guidelines. This maintenance is crucial for research labs and industrial facilities alike. Here are some general maintenance tips:

• It's important to clean and flush the reactor thoroughly after each use to avoid cross-contamination of samples. Cleaning procedures may differ depending on the hydrothermal reaction substance, so make sure to follow the correct cleaning methods.
• Regularly inspect the reactor parts, such as the pressure vessel, sealing elements, heating elements, and more. Look for any signs of damage, corrosion, or wear. Replace or repair any faulty components as needed.
• Make sure the sealing elements are well-lubricated to avoid leakage. Use appropriate lubricants that meet the hydrothermal reactor specifications. Regularly replace the lubricants to maintain their effectiveness.
• Keep the exterior of the hydrothermal reactor clean to prevent dust and debris from getting into the device. Use a soft cloth and mild cleaning products to wipe the surface of the reactor. Avoid using aggressive cleaning agents that may damage the reactor.
• For hydrothermal reactors with heating elements, it's important to maintain the proper insulation and heat dissipation to avoid overheating. Regularly inspect the heating elements and ensure that the connections are secure and corrosion-free.

Scenarios

Industrial reactors like a hydrothermal carbonization reactor have wide business application. Here are some industries that use hydrothermal reactors and their applications.

• Pharmaceutical

  Hydrothermal reactors play a vital role in the pharmaceutical industry. They create drug compounds such as antibiotics, anti-cancer agents, and anti-inflammatory agents. The reactors perform complex chemical reactions and biomolecules extraction. The parameters like time, temperature, and pressure can be modified to get the desired compound. This leads to effective medicine for patients. In addition, hydrothermal reactors help to make drug delivery systems like nanoparticles and drug-carrying polymers.

• Nanomaterial synthesis

  Nano materials have very small sizes of about 1 to 100 nanometers. These materials can be used for catalytic, optical, and electronic properties. Hydrothermal reactors give a suitable environment for nanoscale growth. For example, the temperature and pressure can modify the size, shape, and composition of nanomaterials like nanotubes, nanowires, and quantum dots.

• Food processing

  In the food industry, hydrothermal reactors are used to make food additives, flavors, and hydrolysates. The reactors can control the peptides and starches hydrolysis. This leads to the production of umami compounds and biopeptides. Besides, hydrothermal reactors can be used to modify food components like emulsifiers and thickeners. Also, these reactors offer safe food processing methods by inactivating pathogenic microorganisms.

• Petroleum and chemical

  Hydrothermal reactors are used for bio-refinery and petrochemical production in the chemical industry. These reactors convert biomass feedstock into valuable fuels, chemicals, and lubricants by hydrocracking, gasification, hydrothermal liquefaction, and hydration reactions. Hydrothermal reactors also help to upgrade low-quality crude oil through hydrothermal cracking mechanisms. This results in better oil with high yield.

• Energy

  In the energy sector, hydrothermal reactors are used for biofuel production from biomass. The reactors perform hydrothermal liquefaction to get bio-oil, which is further refined to produce biodiesel and renewable jet fuel. Also, hydrothermal reactors can be used to hydrolyze lignocellulosic biomass to get fermentable sugars. The sugars can be converted into ethanol by microbial fermentation.

How to choose hydrothermal reactors

Before investing in industrial hydrothermal reactors for sale, buyers need to consider a few things to ensure they are getting something that meets their changing demands.

• Quality and durability: Businesses need to get reactors that will hold up against the fluctuating pressures and temperatures of hydrothermal processes. Buyers should look for those made with corrosion-resistant stainless steel to ensure they last long. Also, the quality of the sealing components can affect the durability of a reactor. High-quality seals will not wear out quickly, while low-quality ones will.
• Size: Business buyers need to get reactors that can meet the scale of production they intend to do. They should determine the volume of material the small hydrothermal reactor they want can process in a batch. The good thing about the different sizes of reactors available on the market is that buyers can start with a smaller one and scale up later as the business grows.
• Versatility: Many businesses need to perform different types of reactions. They want to avoid getting separate reactors for each reaction type as this can be costly. Such businesses should get hydrothermal reactors that come with adjustable parameters such as adaptable pressure levels and temperature ranges. This feature will allow them to optimize these reactors for various reactions.
• Budget: Hydrothermal reactors for hydrothermal synthesis are often very expensive. Buyers need to find something that would provide them with good value for the business they are doing. Prices will vary depending on the size, specifications, and parameters of the reactor. Buyers should compare the features with the prices and get reactants that will give the best performance for the type of reaction carried out.

Hydrothermal reactor FAQ

Q1: What are hydrothermal reactors used for?

A1: Hydrothermal reactors are used for various chemical reactions, especially organic matter transformation and synthesis under high temperature and pressure conditions. They are commonly used in fields like material science, chemistry, and environmental science.

Q2: What are the advantages of hydrothermal reactors?

A2: Hydrothermal reactors have several advantages, such as allowing reactions to occur in a wide range of temperature and pressure conditions, promoting the rapid and complete occurrence of chemical reactions, and enabling the decomposition and transformation of complex organic matters into simple inorganic substances. Additionally, hydrothermal reactors can be easily scaled up to meet different experimental and industrial needs.

Q3: What is the structure of a hydrothermal reactor?

A3: A hydrothermal reactor typically consists of the following components: a reactor body, a sealing device, a heating system, a pressure relief system, and a control system. The precise structure may vary according to different models and manufacturers.

Q4: Is the hydrothermal reactor dangerous?

A4: Hydrothermal reactors can be dangerous if they are not used properly or maintained appropriately. Potential hazards include explosion risk, leakage, overheating, and overpressure. Therefore, following the operating guidelines and safety rules is crucial when using hydrothermal reactors.