How to precisely control the reaction temperature when using lab glass reactors?

To precisely control reaction temperature in lab glass reactors, begin by selecting a jacketed vessel that allows circulation of a thermostatic fluid. This design is the standard for lab glass reactors because it separates the process from direct electrical elements, reducing hot spots. Connect the jacket to a programmable circulator whose PID algorithm responds within seconds. In lab glass reactors, such rapid feedback keeps exotherms below ±0.1 °C of the set-point, even when stoichiometry changes suddenly. Always calibrate the internal Pt100 probe against a certified thermometer; a 0.05 °C deviation at 50 °C can scale to a 2 % yield loss in kinetic studies.  

Next, insulate the entire setup. Closed-cell foam wrapped around the mantle of lab glass reactors cuts heat loss by 30 %, letting the circulator operate at lower power and finer resolution. Magnetic stirring must be tuned so viscous mixtures do not generate frictional heat; a digital rpm sensor linked to the circulator can automatically lower speed when the internal sensor detects an upswing.  

For sub-ambient work, pair a refrigerated bath with the same jacket. Ethanol at −20 °C flowing through lab glass reactors can hold −15 °C overnight if the bath compressor duty cycle is synchronized with a solenoid valve on the jacket inlet. Finally, log every parameter: circulator supply/return temperatures, internal probe reading, and stirrer speed. A 24-hour CSV file from lab glass reactors often reveals slow drifts caused by room HVAC cycles; feed this data back into the PID to tighten control even further.