Measure level in a 2 Litre Lab flow Reactor operating in CSTR mode; under pressure. 1

[plantprowler]

We have a 2 Litre Lab reactor we wanted to convert to a CSTR trial. The reaction involved is Liquid Liquid and takes place at approx 130 C with 6 bars autogenous pressure. The reactor has in internal coil and a Rushton type stirrer magnetically coupled.

Two liquids are co-dosed by dosing pumps through top nozzles and the liquid is continuously withdrawn as well through a bottom nozzle.

What options do I have to maintain the level inside the reactor? Any ideas? Has anyone used a setup like this before?

Capacitive? dP gauge? Radar? What can work on a small sized reactor like this.

I am drawing a lot of dead ends looking this up.

 

[25362]

Is it possible to weigh the assembly and estimate the level based on the flud's density?

 

[plantprowler]

@25352

Good idea. I hadn't thought of it. But I suppose that gets tricky because I have two liquids of different density? And then the density varies with Temperature. Though to be fair I don't need to be super accurate about levels. It's only a functional thing to keep the reactor ops stable.

Another problem would be bubbling / frothing etc?

 

[jari001]

A couple thoughts on instrumentation that might help you sort your thoughts:

There are devices for aquariums that will top off the tank as the water level changes (e.g.

https://www.amazon.com/Hydor-Smart-Level-Controller-Automatic/dp/B00EVD944A).

There are also ultrasonic drum level gauges (battery powered usually), you may have to call a vendor (e.g. Cole-Palmer) to see if they have something small enough for a 2L lab scale reactor nozzle.

 

[moltenmetal]

Suggest you contact a pilot plant company who does this sort of thing for a living. One suggestion would be

http://www.zeton.com

but there may be others you can find with a little searching. Otherwise you will be playing with things and learning instead of getting the results you need quickly and efficiently.

 

[Compositepro]

The simplest form of level control is a weir, where fluid overflows the weir when level rises. The weir can be inside or outside of your reactor, and can be as simple as a high point on the outlet piping. Just be careful not to create a siphon.

 

[StoneCold]

Change one of your injection pumps to the bottom outlet of the reactor. Make one of the top nozzles your outlet. Put a short tip tube down into the reactor. That will set the level in the CSTR. How are you keeping it at 6 bar. Back pressure regulator on the outlet flow? Are you adding a pad gas sweep?

Try it out with water or solvent if you can't tolerate getting your stuff wet.


Goodluck.

StoneCold