[HELP] Choosing my first batch reactor - Chinese reactor or not?

[KokosDreams]

Hey folks,

it's time for me to choose my first batch reactor.

To avoid needing to buy more than one reactor during scaling up the reaction and also to save costs down the line, I would like to get my hands on a 100L Glass Reactor.
Buying a 2-10L one including chiller + vacuum pump just to resell it again later when purchasing my 100L reactor seems like too much risk to me.

What is your experience with chinese batch reactors?

I'd assume that companies like USA LABS also do manufacture in China and only retail on Amazon, so would I be better off buying from the chinese manufacturer directly?

CLEARNET WARNING - THIS POST CONTAINS CLEARWEB LINKS

I have received multiple offers that I would like to list here:

Lab1st

I have requested an offer and am waiting on it right now, but they are very costy compared to others. The 200L batch reactor without vacuum pump & chiller costs 17.500€

USA LABS

- 100L jacketed glass reactor including chiller + vacuum pump: 28.049€
Link: https://www.amazon.com/USA-Jacketed...ards/dp/B09T3QLWQT?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1


YUANHAI:

- 100L Jacketed Glass Reactor: 3.350€
- Circulating Chiller: 1.000€
- Circulating Heating Bath: 1.260€
- Water Cycle Vacuum Pump: 450€

- 20L Rotavap: 3.150€
- Circulating Chiller: 2.000€
- Water Cycle Vacuum Pump: 450€

- 50L Rotavap: 4.200€
- Circulating Chiller: 2.250€
- Water Cycle Vacuum Pump: 450€

Link: https://yuanhuai.en.alibaba.com/

Cincerly,

Koko

 

[Saul]

Just buy you to start with a 20liter round bottom flask, 2 or 3 neck. You can make from 2 neck, a 3 neck if you want. It is a lot cheaper
heat it with gas and use an along the top mixer with rod up to diameter 20 you need to buy this apart because the mixers only support diameter 6
also, buy an aquarium pump of 10 watts and a good condenser
also a good thermometer and pH paper or digital

it is also advisable to order a good starter set because connectors are in clamps flasks and allot more

 

[Saul]

if you buy outside europe you also need to pay import tax 21%
so for 10.000€ this is 2100€ extra

 

[KokosDreams]

Thanks mate, you're right - for the start that's probably a good solution, to get familiar with the process and the reaction!

I found great options and will order them, thanks!

 

[KokosDreams]

Wouldn't a heating mantle or hot plate work just as fine?

 

[Saul]

not for a 20liter flask

 

[KokosDreams]

I found a 2100W heating mantle suitable for 20L flasks actually.

Sounds more convenient to me than using gas or a hot plate.

CLEARNET WARNING

Standard Aluminum Lab Heating Mantle 50ML,100ML,250ML,500ML,1L,2L,3L,5L,10L, 20L | eBay

Capacity: 50ML / 100ML / 250ML / 500ML / 1L / 2L / 3L / 5L / 10L / 20L. - Small & Large capacity Mantle. Heating Mantle 50 ML, 100 ML, 250 ML, 500 ML. Heating Mantle 50 ML. Heating Mantle 100 ML. Heating Mantle 250 ML.

www.ebay.com

Another one with 3000W

Cole-Parmer MHM-200-20L Large Volume Heating Mantle, 20 L; 230 VAC from Cole-Parmer

Buy Cole-Parmer Large Volume Heating Mantle, 20 L; 230 V and more from our comprehensive selection of Cole-Parmer Large Volume Heating Mantles

www.coleparmer.com

The first one is quite cheap and heats up to 350 °C, while the second one can actually heat up to 450 °C

Via the NaBH4/CuCL2 route 80 °C is not exceeded and it would suit perfectly, for the P2P route you are choosing they would work too as a temperature of 165 °C is required.

What do you think?

 

[Saul]

you do what you think is good for you .

I never use that becouse I like gas so much more and most important overhead mixing at 1500 t/min

 

[KokosDreams]

I'll try both options as I have seen both in lab pictures online and will then decide for what suits me best


Thanks for the advice!

 

[adroitsynth]

What country are you in?

When I started out, ordering reactors was pure insanity, now that I have been consulting in the cannabis industry for the better part of a decade in CA, USA. I can order 10 100L reactors wihout batting an eyelash.

So, I may be able to shoot you straight or even facilitate the order though my consulting business. I'd like to address the "Chinese" issue right out hte gate. There are numerous manufacturers and many of their products look identical, I can say from experience that some have proper quality control and others just miss the mark. The issue compunds when you get to customer service or replacement/troubleshooting.

But with tall that being said to be completely honest, especially for the cannabis industry, none of it matters as as long as it is glass and holds liquid your good to go for the most part. Ancillary equipment is another issue.

So in order to help you best, what country are you in and what is it your looking to do with your reactor? Trust me I have seen and done it all, built many multimillion dollar labs and many less expensive labs that runs circles around the more pricey ones with PhD's turning stopcocks and dials.

If all you need is mild heating and cooling with stirring then you can't go wrong, if you require a precision build to accomodate air and/water sensitive processes or precise temperature managment then you need some direction.

Also, reactors are suited well for reflux but not recovery, and if crystallization is in mind then you'd want a filter reactor that has a filter plate and the bottom that drops out for easy collection.

Chinese manufacturers can excell at heating and cooling, especially for the price, vacuum - not so much so.

Let me know mate, happy to help!

 

[KokosDreams]

Hey man,

thanks a lot for your feedback.

That being said, I am currently residing in central europe and have no business background in any industry that might be helfpul to order big sums of batch reactors from china. Also, that is a task for some weeks/months from now but I want to have everything ready and in place for when the time is right.

The target will be amphetamine freebase production only.

Are you open for a private chat?

I have checked on multiple chinese companies and always choose the ones (besides quality appereance and pricing) that offer great customer service all the way through the process.

I have not placed any orders yet so the time to start a discussion would be very right though.

PS - I wasn't able to access my account for approx. 2 weeks so will be fully back from tomorrow.

Cincerly,

Koko