Reactors & Processes

If you are looking for a reactor solution for your laboratory or pilot plant, we are happy to discuss your process requirements. Please contact us for an individual query.

Fixed-bed reactors

Fixed-bed reactors are commonly used in laboratory and pilot plant environments for investigating heterogeneous catalytic reactions and solid catalyst behavior under defined flow and temperature conditions. Typical applications include catalyst screening, reaction kinetics studies, and long-term stability tests.

Examples range from oscillating bed reactors for dynamic flow investigations to catalyst test systems designed for high-melting or highly viscous media. Combined fixed-bed and fluidized-bed setups allow comparative evaluation of different reactor concepts within a single plant.

Continuous reactors

Continuous reactors are essential for process development scenarios where steady-state operation and reproducible conditions are required. In laboratory and pilot plants, they are frequently used to evaluate process stability, residence time effects, and scalability.

Implemented systems include continuous sterilization units for food applications and containerized pilot plants for integrated process chains, such as the conversion of biogas into liquid fuels. These reactors support realistic operating conditions at pilot scale.

Metal-free units

For processes involving corrosive media or applications where metallic materials are unsuitable, metal-free reactor units provide a reliable alternative. Glass reactors and associated process equipment enable precise temperature control and visual process observation. High-quality, functional plastics, glass reactors, or ceramic materials are used in the reactor for this purpose.

Membrane reactors

Membrane reactors integrate chemical reaction and selective separation within a single unit. This concept is particularly relevant for equilibrium-limited reactions and selective gas-phase processes.

AP-Miniplant has realized membrane reactor systems for high-temperature and high-pressure applications, as well as test units with integrated analytical equipment such as gas chromatographs. Extended reactor lengths allow investigation of axial process behavior and scale-up effects.

Polymerisation reactors

Polymerization reactors are designed to support controlled synthesis under defined thermal and pressure conditions. In laboratory and pilot plants, these systems are used to study reaction kinetics, material properties, and process stability.

AP-Miniplant has extensive expertise in the planning, construction, and automation of polymerization plants. We pay particular attention to process-critical equipment and sub-processes such as pump technology, agitators, and temperature control.

Reactive distillation

Fully automated, continuous laboratory systems are particularly suitable for testing complex, functionally integrated processes. A classic example of this is reactive distillation, which is often used in equilibrium-limited reactions to improve yield and has been implemented by us in various systems.

Stirred reactors

Stirred reactors represent a versatile reactor type for laboratory and pilot plant applications. They can be configured for batch or continuous operation and adapted to a wide range of chemical processes.

Depending on the application, these systems may include automated dosing, advanced process control, and integrated analytical instrumentation, making them suitable for both research and pilot-scale operation.

Tube oven

Tubular reactors are typically applied in gas-phase processes, catalytic reactions, and high-temperature studies. Their design allows precise control of residence time, heat transfer, and reaction atmosphere.

Fluidized bed reactors

Special reactors

Often, a process requires its own reactor solution. Together with our customers, we also develop customized reactor and plant solutions for such processes.