Scale-Down-Reactor

Revolutionizing process development: Introducing the Scale-Down-Reactor with innovative heat transfer principle.

The association Miniplant 4.0, collaborating with Prof. Dr. A. Zogg’s team, has introduced an novel Scale-Down-Reactor. Located within the FHWN-HLS process technology center, this reactor features a heat exchanger known as heating/cooling-finger (H/C-Finger), replicating heat transfer characteristics of full-scale production plants. This 3D-printed H/C-Finger, available in materials like stainless steel, Hastelloy, and glass, enables early-stage investigations on the effects of wall temperature and materials used in the processes. The Scale-Down-Reactor thus shortens the development time and minimizes the needs for intermediate process trials in pilot scale equipment. Furthermore, the Scale-Down-Reactor enhances laboratory safety through a pressure-proof enclosure, ensuring containment in case of glass reactor breakage and thereby minimizing potential risks to lab personnel.