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Integration of hardware and software in a high‐performance laboratory reactor
Author(s) -
Infante Joseé R.,
Villarreal Luis A.,
Cisneros Arturo,
Peralta René D.,
López Raúl G.,
Treviño María E.,
Wisniak Jaime
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4628(19961226)62:13<2311::aid-app16>3.0.co;2-5
Subject(s) - process engineering , temperature control , reaction calorimeter , isothermal process , calibration , software , computer science , data acquisition , control system , nuclear engineering , continuous stirred tank reactor , materials science , mechanical engineering , engineering , chemical engineering , thermodynamics , statistics , physics , mathematics , electrical engineering , calorimetry , programming language , operating system
The assembly of a stirred tank reactor capable of precise reaction temperature control is described. The unit allows easy on‐line determination of the thermal effect and calculation of heat transfer coefficients and heat capacities. Construction elements are standard, low cost, and high quality. Temperature control is achieved by a heating‐cooling loop integrated to the reactor jacket and a cascade control procedure. An important feature of the equipment is the integration of the data acquisition system with the supervisory control system that allows the capability of an advanced strategy for process control and data acquisition. The capability of the reaction system is demonstrated for the microemulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate, by the use of batch and isothermal operational modes. The course of the reaction is followed on‐line by the temperature variation of the jacket. Procedures are described for the calibration of the unit. The reactor developed is versatile, is easy to configure and extend, is low cost, and can compete advantageously with commercial reactor units such as the Mettler RC1. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.