FBR series - Fixed Bed Reactors
Description
The Vinci Technologies FBR Series is a range of tubular fixed-bed reactors for continuous catalyst evaluation. It enables researchers to investigate catalyst activity, selectivity and stability under controlled process conditions. Eleven standard sizes are available across compact and large-diameter configurations. The compact FBR-C models feature a 160 mm diameter furnace with one or three independent heating zones. The large-diameter FBR-L models feature a 360 mm diameter furnace with enhanced insulation and three, four or five zones. Heated lengths range from 150 to 1,250 mm, depending on the selected configuration. Total reactor volumes range from 65 to 1,675 cm³ to accommodate different experimental requirements. Heated volumes for catalyst and diluent range from 42 to 1,425 cm³. The reactor assemblies offer a maximum operating temperature of 550°C and a design temperature of 650°C. The specified reactor design pressure is 200 barg. Reactors are manufactured from stainless steel 316 or Inconel to suit the intended application. Catalyst pellets or shaped particles are loaded from the top and retained on a support grid. Adjustable catalyst loading and bed height allow different contact times and space velocities to be investigated. Upstream and downstream silicon carbide layers promote feed preheating and heat distribution around the catalyst bed. The split-tube furnace transfers heat by conduction from electrical resistances embedded in a bronze alloy block. Each heating zone has an independent temperature control loop to compensate for heat losses and adjust the axial profile. Axial temperature deviation is below 1°C at 450°C under specified thermal qualification conditions. A multipoint thermowell with K-type thermocouples monitors local temperatures throughout the catalyst bed. Removable VCR fittings and the longitudinal furnace opening simplify reactor access and catalyst replacement. Integrated supervision displays operating parameters and safety status, while specifications can be adapted to the experimental programme.
Features
Compact Configuration — FBR-C Series
Available models: 2 standard sizes, with 1 or 3 independently controlled heating zones.
Furnace external diameter: 160 mm.
Heated height per zone: 150 mm.
Total heated length: 150 or 450 mm.
Overall length: 234 or 534 mm.
Reactor tube OD / ID: Up to 26.67 / 18.85 mm.
Heated volume for catalyst and diluent: 42–126 cm³.
Total reactor volume: 65–155 cm³.
Insulated end extensions: 42 mm at both top and bottom.
Large-Diameter Configuration — FBR-L Series
Available models: 9 standard sizes, with 3, 4 or 5 independently controlled heating zones.
Furnace external diameter: 360 mm, with enhanced insulation.
Heated height per zone: 150, 200 or 250 mm.
Total heated length: 450–1,250 mm.
Overall length: 670–1,470 mm.
Reactor tube OD / ID: Up to 48.26 / 38.1 mm.
Heated volume for catalyst and diluent: 513–1,425 cm³.
Total reactor volume: 763–1,675 cm³.
Insulated end extensions: 110 mm at both top and bottom.
Features Common to Both Configurations
Maximum operating temperature: 550°C.
Reactor design temperature: 650°C.
Reactor design pressure: 200 barg.
Axial temperature deviation: <1°C at 450°C under specified thermal qualification conditions.
Heating technology: Split-tube conduction furnace with electrical resistances embedded in a bronze alloy block.
Temperature control: One independent control loop per heating zone.
Temperature monitoring: Multipoint K-type thermocouples in a 3.18 mm OD thermowell.
Reactor materials: Stainless steel 316 or Inconel.
Catalyst bed arrangement: Top loading onto a support grid, between upstream and downstream SiC layers.
Process connections: Removable VCR fittings for repeated reactor removal and refitting.
Customization: Specifications can be adapted to the customer’s experimental programme.
Benefits
* Reliable catalyst evaluation: Precise thermal control supports reproducible comparisons of catalyst activity, selectivity and long-term stability.
*Excellent temperature uniformity: Independent heating zones achieve axial deviations below 1°C at 450°C under specified thermal qualification conditions.
* Flexible testing capacity: Eleven standard sizes offer heated catalyst and diluent volumes from 42 to 1,425 cm³ to suit different research programmes.
* Reduced downtime between tests: The split-tube furnace and removable VCR fittings simplify reactor access and catalyst replacement.
* Better experimental insight: Multipoint temperature monitoring and integrated supervision help identify local variations and refine operating conditions.
