Dr. Andreas Vogel | Corporate Product Manager

Automation of Reactions

THE IMPORTANCE OF AUTOMATION IN THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

Efficiency and reproducibility are important requirements in the chemical industry as well as in research and development. The automation of reaction processes saves time and ensures that specified reaction parameters are adhered to. But how can the automation of reaction apparatus with multiple devices be achieved?

INTEGRATION OF DEVICES WITH LABWORLDSOFT® 6

By using our labworldsoft® 6 automation software, all devices with an RS 232 or USB interface can be connected to a computer and controlled by software. Important reaction parameters such as reaction temperature or stirring speed can be monitored and controlled. To automate a process, the desired parameters are entered in a table and the process can then be automated.

EXAMPLE CONFIGURATION FOR AN AUTOMATED REACTOR SYSTEM

An example configuration for a reactor system with agitator (EUROSTAR 100 control) and thermostat (CBC 5 control) should include the following steps:

start the stirrer (stirring speed: 200 rpm) and start the temperature control (temperature: 50 °C, pump speed: 4000 rpm).
after 60 minutes, the temperature is to be increased to 70 °C within 20 minutes by means of a ramp.
the temperature should be maintained for 90 minutes and the stirring speed increased to 350 rpm.
the stirring speed should then be reduced to 200 rpm and the reaction mixture cooled to 25 °C within 3 hours.
the stirring and tempering is then stopped.

The following excerpt shows the creation of the automation in Labworldsoft® 6: graph automation in labworldsoft® 6