Bench, Pilot and Parallel Reactor Systems
A modular reactor platform, built around your process. Pick your scale below.
Reactors for Research
Flexible bench-top jacketed glass or metal reactors 0.5 to 5 litres (interchangeable) typically fully computer controlled with features such as liquid/gas feed, control of pressure, pH, DO plus choice of temperature, pressure and reaction calorimetry.
Pilot Reactors
Floor-standing kilo-lab reactors, typically up to 30 litres, with custom built configuration to suit applications with a range of pressures and temperatures. Typically, fully computer controlled with features such as liquid/gas feed, control of pressure, pH, DO as well as choice of temperature and pressure and calorimetry.
Parallel Reactors
Multiple (typically four or eight) reactors, with flexible features to suit any range of applications, independently controlled, normally from a single computer. Range of volumes as well as temperature, pressure and other features to suit.
Reactors for Research
Designed flexible, easy to use with a compact footprint, quick vessel changes, and control that scales from a manual to full unattended automation.
- Glass and choice of metal, single or double jacketed
- Interchangeable vessel sizes, 0.5 to 5 litres
- Wide temperature ranges up to 250 °C standard (500 °C option)
- Metal reactors in choice of alloys, up to 100 bar+
- Normally fully automated (touch screen control), manual optional
- Designed to suit all applications with built in flexibility, complete with gas/liquid feeds, range of probes/sensors to suit, including reaction calorimetry option
- Installed on site, full training and guarantee
Every control objective covered:
Pilot Reactors
Floor standing interchangeable glass and metal reactor up to 30 litres as standard, complete with features to suit a wide range of applications with the option of explosion proof rating. Fully computer controlled and manual systems available with options such as hydraulic vessel lifts.
- Floor standing design
- Typical reactor sizes up to 30 litres. Larger custom reactors available on request
- Systems customised for specific applications (such as hydrogenation, polymerisation, crystallisation etc)
- Glass reactors jacketed with PTFE drain valves and multiport lids to suit applications with temperatures up to 250 °C+
- Metal reactors from choice of alloys fitted with electrical or oil circulating jackets (and combinations) typically rated to 100 bar+ and 350 °C+
If it can be done, AutoLAB can do it.
Complete custom pilot plants — glass or metal reactors, manual or computer-controlled, designed and built around your process by H.E.L’s chemical engineers.
Parallel Reactors
Parallel AutoLAB platforms put multiple reactors under one controller — each with independent temperature, stirring and dosing — so a week of sequential runs becomes an afternoon.
- Multiple reactors (such as 4 or 8 × 1 or 2 L) operated independently, or as a single system
- Independent temperature control on every vessel
- Dedicated larger scale crystallisation units with FTIR and turbidity — for solubility and MSZW studies
- Parallel pressure chemistry such as hydrogenation — liquid and gas dosing, with gas consumption online
- Homogenous or heterogeneous catalysis, single or parallel systems — selection of internals for heterogeneous catalytic reactions
Looking for a standard parallel platform? See PolyBLOCK → and AutoMATE →
Configure it your way
Every AutoLAB is assembled from proven modules around your process — start simple, and add capability as your project grows. If you can specify it, our engineers can integrate it.
Process monitoring and PAT
pH, turbidity, particle sizing, FTIR and NIR probes fully integrated into the control system — with feedback control on any signal.
Liquid dosing
Range of pumps for different gas and liquid applications — precise, recipe-controlled dosing.
Gas measurement
Mass-flow meters plus wet-gas and u-tube methods for on-line gas-consumption monitoring, even with wet or corrosive vented gas.
Powder dosing
Gravimetric, fully automated dosing of free-flowing powders — high and low volume versions available.
Reflux and distillation
Manual and computer-controlled distillation — standard Dean–Stark and controlled reflux-ratio versions.
Automated sampling
Automated and manual sampling systems, including at high pressure and high temperature.
Real-time calorimetry
Add heat-flow calorimetry to any AutoLAB. Designed for development chemists — no calibration or calorimetry expertise required.
Stirrers and internals
Conventional and Helicoil stirrers for high-viscosity reactions, catalyst baskets and pressurised feed vessels.
Frequently asked questions
What is AutoLAB used for?
What vessel sizes are available?
What temperature range does it cover?
Can it run high-pressure reactions?
What sensors and probes can it use?
Is it customisable to my process?
Selected publications
Subscription or purchase may be required for full access. View all publications →
Explore the chemical synthesis range
Trusted by the world’s leading labs
AutoLAB users include:
Pharmaceuticals and biotech
- AstraZeneca
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Merck
- Novartis
- Pfizer
- Eli Lilly
- Amgen
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Bristol Myers Squibb
- Dr Reddy’s Laboratories
Fine chemicals and petrochemicals
- Shell
- Exxon
- DuPont
- AKZO Nobel
- Johnson Matthey
- Lonza
- Sasol
- Chevron
- Eastman Chemical
- Air Products
Universities, research, government
- Cambridge University
- Imperial College
- University College London
- Max Planck Institut
- McMaster University
- Trinity University, Dublin
- Queens University, Belfast
- DSTL
- University of Massachusetts
- University of Mumbai
Ready to build your reactor platform?
Talk to a specialist about an AutoLAB configured to your chemistry — a standard module, or a fully bespoke build.
“The versatility of the automated lab reactors (AutoLAB)… made my work much easier and accurate. This readiness to accommodate each customer’s specific needs gives H.E.L the edge over their competitors.” — Theravance Inc, USA
