Flow control for chemical reactor systems

Application requirements

To optimize a chemical reaction, chemists must determine the optimal combination and proportions of compounds to introduce into the reaction chamber. The chemical reactor should be maintained at specific pressure and temperature conditions, and a catalyst may be added to accelerate the reaction. Precise control of the input gases is essential during reactor pressurization. Users need to set the gas flow rate and monitor its impact on pressure, temperature, and the reaction itself. In some setups, it is crucial to avoid reactor overflow to maintain accuracy. Consequently, users sometimes must control pressure and monitor gas consumption. Despite these constraints and various requirements, users seek simple and user-friendly instruments.

Important topics

01

Accurate measurement of gases reaction and process pressure

02

Precise control of the gases

03

User-friendly instruments

Process solution

A complete mass flow & pressure control solution is delivered for safe and automated pressure control in chemical reactor process.

The customer can select between 3 different modes for this set-up via the digital communication embedded in the Bronkhorst instruments: 

Pressure control & flow measurement 
To determine the quantity of molecules used in the reactor vessel, the customer applies pressure using an EL-PRESS pressure controller. A continuous flow is then measured with an EL-FLOW Select

Flow control & pressure measurement 
Flow control is applied, then the user can observe a pressure increase and chemical reactions. 

Flow & pressure control 
The pressure is controlled using PID pressure control with the EL-PRESS pressure transmitter. This is achieved by adjusting and limiting the flow through the EL-FLOW mass flow controller, which operates under PID flow control. 
(PID stands for Proportional-Integral-Derivative. It’s a type of control loop mechanism widely used in industrial control systems to maintain desired output levels by adjusting process variables.) 

flow scheme

This simple and economical setup offers three configurations in one, eliminating the need to dismount or disconnect the flow and pressure controller. The flow and pressure control loop presets are configured during Bronkhorst manufacturing. Different modes and data acquisition are monitored via digital communications, such as Bronkhorst Flowsuite software.

These proven, safe, and intelligent solutions prevent overflow and provide pressure control through the mass flow controller. Additionally, the instruments are available in a ‘laboratory style’, IP40 protection, or with rugged industrial housing, IP65 protection, and optional ATEX Zone 2 approval. 

“This Bronkhorst solution provide us a safe and simple instruments set-up and easy to use.”