What is a Flow Chemistry Coil Reactor?


 

Modular coil reactor temperature control units provide precise temperature control over the full length of a flow reactor, allowing homogeneous reactants to be maintained at a consistent temperature as they are pumped through the system.

Asynt ColdCoil Coil Reactor Heater and Cooler for continuous flow chemistry

The Asynt ColdCoil provides precise temperature control

 

How do Coil Reactor Temperature Control Modules Work?

A flow chemistry coil reactor temperature control module provides accurate heating or cooling for a wide range of flow chemistry reactors, including both coil and column reactors.

A typical coil reactor consists of a length of tubing, such as PTFE, stainless steel or Hastelloy (chosen according to the required pressure and temperature range), wrapped around a mandrel. The coil is then housed within a temperature control module, enabling continuous flow reactions to be carried out under tightly controlled thermal conditions.

For heating applications, the Asynt HotCoil provides accurate and uniform heating across the entire reactor. For reactions requiring sub-ambient temperatures, the Asynt ColdCoil connects to a laboratory recirculating chiller, delivering precise cooling while also being capable of heating when connected to a recirculating heater. Both systems can also accommodate glass or stainless steel column reactors with the appropriate adapter, extending their versatility beyond conventional coil reactors.

“The HotCoil is the flow chemistry equivalent of a magnetic stirrer hotplate.”

HotCoil - hot coil hot column flow reactor heater by Uniqsis from Asynt

The Asynt HotCoil can accommodate up to 60 mL of tubing

Benefits of Asynt’s HotCoil and ColdCoil:

Compact design – Laboratory fume hood space is often at a premium. Both HotCoil and ColdCoil feature compact footprints while accommodating Uniqsis coil reactors up to 60 mL in volume, making them ideal for space-conscious laboratories.

Multiple reactor compatibility – Compatible with the full range of Uniqsis coil reactors, from 2.0 mL to 60 mL, both modules can accommodate multiple coils on a single temperature control unit. This makes them ideal for multi-stage synthesis, quenching stages or more complex continuous flow processes.

Precise temperature control – HotCoil provides accurate electrical heating, while ColdCoil delivers efficient cooling (or heating) using an external recirculator. Internal temperature sensors ensure the reactor remains at the desired operating temperature throughout the experiment.

Modular design – Both modules can be used as standalone units alongside your preferred pumps or integrated into a complete Uniqsis flow chemistry system. Multiple modules can also be daisy chained to increase reactor volume for process development or scale-up.

Excellent heat transfer – A proprietary clamping mechanism allows the reactor to be tightly secured, maximising surface contact between the module and the reactor. This promotes efficient and uniform heat transfer, whether heating or cooling.

Wide operating range – HotCoil offers temperatures from ambient up to 260 °C as standard, with a 300 °C option available. ColdCoil, when paired with a suitable recirculating chiller or heater, enables precise temperature control across a broad sub-ambient and elevated temperature range, depending on the capabilities of the connected circulator and reactor materials.

Spill protection – Both systems incorporate a PTFE containment tray to help protect the module from accidental spills during operation.

Click on the thumbnail for our full ColdCoil video

Conclusion:

Whether your application requires elevated temperatures, sub-ambient cooling or both, the Asynt HotCoil and ColdCoil provide compact, accurate and flexible temperature control for continuous flow chemistry. Their modular design, compatibility with the full range of Uniqsis reactors and straightforward operation make them suitable for everything from reaction development through to process optimisation and scale-up.

If you’d like to learn more about the HotCoil, ColdCoil or any of the other products in our flow chemistry range, please get in touch via [email protected], call 01638 781709 or send us a message using the live chat in the bottom right-hand corner of our website. We’d be delighted to help.