Distillation reactor for high viscosity media (ATEX)

This reactor setup will be used for the production of polymers. The system is used in an ATEX classified zone: the equipment is classified as zone 1 IIB T2, the room itself is classified as zone 2 IIB T2. The reactor setup meets the highest requirements and was delivered plug-and-play:

• Mixing technique for highly viscous media up to 200,000 cP.
• Heating by means of a thermostat.
• High-quality finish: electropolished (Ra<0.4 µm).
• Distillation and separation process using our own designed reflux condensers.
• Precision dosing of raw materials using vacuum pumps and weighing cells.
• Provided with all desired appendages in terms of filters, sight glasses, lighting, sampling, (pneumatic) valves, rupture discs and spring safety devices for pressure safety protection.
• Equipped with electrical equipment and instrumentation: from the control panels to all instruments for recording temperatures, pressures and levels.
• Automated with local control through the Human Machine Interface (HMI).
• All within an ATEX classified zone.

The project started with a Process Flow Diagram (PFD). This PFD was then developed into a Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) and an associated process description. After this, the detailed engineering could begin: from a conceptual basic design to a detailed design. All necessary non-destructive tests (NDT) have been carried out before, during and after the production of the equipment. The reactor has successfully passed both the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) and Site Acceptance Test (SAT) and has been delivered turnkey.