Radleys Reactor-Ready - Draining Thermofluid; Disconnecting the Thermoregulator

8. Set-Up & Operation - Continued
Reactor-Ready - Lab Reactor
Page 16
8
.16. Draining thermofluid from Reactor-Ready
8.16.1 If the reaction vessel needs to be removed from the Reactor-Ready framework for
cleaning, or to replace it with another vessel, the thermofluid in the jacket must first be
drained.
8.16.2 Ensure that the thermoregulator is switched off and thermofluid allowed to cool to a
safe temperature. If the thermofluid is to be drained back into the thermoregulator’s internal
reservoir, open the blue
ball valve tap on the Outlet (upper) Draindown Manifold. This will
vent the system to atmosphere and allow the thermofluid to drain, via gravity, from the vessel
jacket. Close the ball valve tap once the jacket is empty.
8.16.3 If the thermofluid is to be drained to an external reservoir, place a suitable container
(with sufficient capacity to collect the full volume of thermofluid) directly under the drain tap
on the Inlet (lower) Draindown Manifold. Open the red drain tap, then open the blue ball valve
tap on the Outlet (upper) Draindown Manifold. Allow the thermofluid to drain from the vessel
jacket. Close the drain tap and ball valve tap once the jacket is empty.
8.17 Disconnecting the thermoregulator
8.17.1 Once the thermofluid has been drained from the vessel, the hose couplings may be
removed from the vessel side arms by unscrewing the red (Rodaviss) screw cap, and gently
easing the connector from the glass vessel side arm. The hose connector should be sealed
at this point with the use of a red (Rodaviss) sealing cap (supplied with the hose) to prevent
dripping of thermofluid residues.
Important Note - The speed at which the thermofluid will drain is depen-
dent on the height of the manifold relative to the reaction vessel, and the exact
positioning of the thermoregulator and hoses. Best results will be achieved with
the manifold as high as possible, and the thermoregulator as low as possible.
Important, Important,
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Important Note - To achieve full drainage of the vessel, the thermoregula-
tor needs to be at a lower height than the lower side arm of the reaction vessel.
Ideally the thermoregulator should be positioned below the Reactor-Ready
assembly. If this is not possible it may be necessary to raise the Vessel Support
Clamp on the frame until the vessel is higher than the thermoregulator.
Alternatively the vessel can be drained to an external reservoir (see 8.16.3)
Important, Important,
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Important Note - Due to the nature of the glass vessel design it is likely that
some residual thermofluid will remain at the bottom of the jacket, below the
level of the lower side arm. This can be removed once the vessel has been
removed from the clamp.
Important, Important,
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8.16.3
8.16.2
8.17
Open
Closed
Open
Closed
Warning - Always allow thermofluid to cool to a safe temperature before
draining system or venting to atmosphere.
!
Warning - Always refer to the manufacturer’s specifications and instruction
manual of your chosen thermofluid and thermoregulator before using it with
Reactor-Ready to be sure of any limitations or safety restrictions.
!