500-10000L SS316 Plug Flow Reactor | Industrial Stainless Steel Heating System

Plug Flow Reactor for Continuous Processing

This stainless steel plug flow reactor is built for processes that demand consistent residence time and controlled thermal conditions. We manufacture this equipment in standard volumes from 500L to 10,000L, with custom sizing available for specific line capacities. The design suits operations handling slurries, viscous media, or shear-sensitive products that require gentle but thorough movement through the system.

Material and Fabrication

All wetted parts are fabricated from SS316. This grade gives you reliable corrosion resistance across a wide pH range, especially where chlorides or acidic media are present. Our welders follow strict procedures, and we perform full penetration welding on pressure-bearing seams. Interior surfaces are polished to your specified Ra value, typically between 0.4µm and 0.8µm for pharmaceutical or food applications. Exterior surfaces receive a 180-grit finish as standard, with options for higher grades or a brushed finish.

We pay attention to the details that affect long-term service life. The heating jacket is engineered to match your required heat transfer coefficient, and we select the appropriate heating medium based on your operating temperature. Cooling coils or external heat exchangers are integrated when the process demands rapid temperature transitions. We do not guess at performance—we calculate it from your process data.

Applications Across Industries

This reactor configuration is used in chemical synthesis, polymer production, edible oil processing, and specialty pharmaceutical manufacturing. In chemical plants, it handles continuous nitration and hydrolysis reactions. In food processing, it manages controlled enzymatic reactions where temperature uniformity matters. The plug flow design is particularly effective when you need to minimize back-mixing and maintain a narrow residence time distribution.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I select the right reactor size?
Consider your required throughput per hour and the residence time needed for your reaction. Multiply these two values to get the working volume, then add 20-30% for headspace and safety margin.

Can this reactor handle vacuum operation?
Yes. We can design the vessel for full vacuum service. The wall thickness and stiffening rings are calculated accordingly. Confirm your minimum operating pressure when requesting a quote.

What heating media are compatible?
Steam, thermal oil, or hot water can be used. The jacket design and nozzle sizing are matched to your chosen medium and its inlet temperature.

What about cleaning?
We offer spray balls or CIP return lines as options. The polished interior surface and crevice-free welds make cleaning straightforward for most applications.

Getting the Right Configuration

When you contact us, prepare the following details: the chemicals involved, their concentrations, the batch or continuous flow rate, operating and design temperatures, pressure requirements, and the viscosity of your media. Tell us whether you need heating, cooling, or both, and describe the mixing or flow characteristics your process requires. With this information, we can recommend the correct vessel geometry, jacket type, nozzle layout, and instrumentation for your production line. Send us your process requirements so we can provide a suitable configuration and a practical quotation.