Tricklebed – Visual Encyclopedia of Chemical Engineering Equipment

Packed Bed (PBR)

Posted on April 4, 2022 (May 2, 2022) by

Packed bed reactors, also known as fixed bed reactors, are often used for catalytic processes. Pictured below is a fixed bed reactor used in a synthetic process. Pictured below is a packed bed reactor used in the NASA Glenn Research Center.

Oxidizers

Posted on April 4, 2022 (November 29, 2023) by

Many organic compounds are combusted into carbon dioxide and water in oxidizers. Combustion is an exothermic oxidation reaction that destroys VOCs before emission.

Nuclear Reactors

Posted on April 4, 2022 (May 6, 2022) by

Nuclear reactors produce power through fission. In the United States, nuclear power plants use either pressurized water reactors or boiling water reactors.

Moving Bed

Posted on April 4, 2022 (May 2, 2022) by

Moving bed reactors are reactors in which the catalytic material flows along with the reactants and is then separated from the exit stream and recycled.

Fuel Cells

Posted on April 4, 2022 (November 30, 2023) by

Fuel cells produce hydrogen-based energy capable of powering a wide variety of devices such as cell phones, cars, combined heat and power systems, and the space shuttle.

Fluidized Bed (FBR)

Posted on April 4, 2022 (November 28, 2023) by

Fluidized bed reactors (FBR) are catalytic reactors in which the catalyst is fluidized within the reactor.

Batch

Posted on April 4, 2022 (November 28, 2023) by

Batch reactors are perhaps the simplest reactors used in chemical processes. The batch reactor shown below has a stirrer on the top.

Catalysts

Posted on April 1, 2022 (November 2, 2023) by

A catalyst enhances the rate of a reaction. In other words, they allow a higher fraction of molecules to reach the minimum energy required for the reaction; hence, leading to the formation of more products. Catalysts are involved in the reaction, but are regenerated at the end of the reaction so that none of the catalyst is consumed.

CSTR

Posted on April 1, 2022 (November 2, 2023) by

Continuous stirred tank reactors ( CSTR ) are the most basic of the continuous reactors used in chemical processes. The CSTR below is a half pipe coil jacketed reactor.

CVD Reactors

Posted on April 1, 2022 (June 17, 2024) by

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors are used in applications that involve the deposition of a layer or layers of a substance onto a surface. The figure below is a 3000x magnification of a cubic diamond coated tool.