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Are you trying to understand the difference between GLR and SSR reactors?
If yes, then this blog is for you!
We have served various chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing companies throughout the years.
So, we completely understand the role of reactors in your operations. If you work with the wrong type of reactor, you will be in deep trouble.
These reactors are of two types, GLR and SSR.
Although both reactors are designed to handle industrial-grade reactions, they have notable differences in construction, performance, and areas of strength.
In this blog, we’ll tell you about the major difference between GLR and SSR based on some crucial parameters.
But first, we’ll begin with a brief overview of both.
What are Glass-Lined Reactors (GLR)?
A Glass-Lined Reactor is a specially designed pressure vessel with a durable glass coating on the inside.
This coating is made of enamel, which itself is made from:
- Silicon dioxide
- Boron trioxide
- Trace amounts of alkali oxides
This lining creates a smooth and chemically inert surface inside the reactor.
Thus, it becomes suitable for handling highly corrosive or sensitive chemicals without compromising the internal quality of the vessel.
A glass-lined reactor application can be seen in chemical, pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and petrochemical industries.
How Does A GLR Reactor Work?
- Chemicals are added to the sealed reactor vessel.
- An agitator mounted at the center starts mixing the contents.
- Internal baffles increase turbulence for better blending.
- Adjustments are made in temperature, pressure, and catalysts.
- Now the chemical reaction is done under controlled conditions
- You receive your final product, either in crystalline or liquid form.
A Quick Look At Glass-Lined Reactor Applications:
- Batch reactions
- Crystallization
- Distillation
- Hydrolysis
- Polymerization
What Are The Pros And Cons Of GLR Reactors?
Pros
- The glass lining doesn’t get damaged easily in contact with corrosive chemicals
- There’s less chance of your product getting contaminated
- Plus, the smooth glass surface makes it super easy to clean and maintain
- GLRs are ideal for processes that operate within a wide temperature range
Cons
- GLRs can handle pressure only up to 6 bar
- Strong bases like sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide can slowly degrade the glass lining, especially when temperatures rise too much.
That was all about glass-lined reactors. Now let’s discuss stainless steel reactors.
What Are Stainless Steel Reactors (SSR)?
SSR reactors are built tough and made from high-quality stainless steel grades like SS304 or SS316L.
These materials give them the strength to handle things like high heat and changing pressures without breaking down.
What’s great about SSRs is their flexibility. You can easily tweak or adjust them to fit your specific process needs, making them super adaptable.
Since they’re designed for Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems, they’re a perfect fit for industries like food, pharmaceuticals, and chemical processing plant, where keeping everything clean is a top priority.
How Does An SSR Reactor Work?
- The raw materials are loaded into the reactor
- The agitator begins to thoroughly mix the contents
- Heating or cooling is applied using external jackets or internal coils
- The control system is regulated to adjust the pressure
- The important metrics, such as temperature, pH, and viscosity, are monitored continuously.
- The final product is then taken out via outlet valves
- The reactor is cleaned and prepared for the next batch using automated CIP systems
A Quick Look at Stainless Steel Reactor Applications
- Mixing and Blending
- Polymerization
- Crystallization
- Hydrogenation
- Fermentation
- Emulsification
- Distillation
What Are The Pros Of An SSR Reactor?
- It has a high mechanical strength, making it suitable for heavy-duty tasks
- Can be modified to various sizes and configurations to match your specific process
- It is corrosion resistant to most acids, bases, and solvents
- You can get it inspected and repaired on-site if necessary
What Are The Cons Of An SSR Reactor?
- The materials and manufacturing involved are costly, which increases the overall investment
- SSRs aren’t compatible with highly corrosive acids unless the right grade is chosen
- Their lower thermal conductivity isn’t ideal for temperature-sensitive reactions
What Are The Key Differences Between GLR and SSR Reactors?
We have created certain parameters to help you understand the difference between GLR and SSR Reactors more effectively.
1. Material Composition
GLRs: Inside a GLR, the surface is coated with a special glass-like enamel made from silica, boron, and alkali. This creates a smooth, non-stick layer that doesn’t react with harsh chemicals.
SSRs: SSRs, on the other hand, get their strength and durability from the metals they’re made of. Mainly stainless steel grades like SS304 or SS316L. These contain elements like chromium, nickel, and molybdenum.
2. Resistance To Corrosion
GLRs: Excellent for dealing with acidic substances. The internal glass layer prevents the metal from getting exposed to chemicals. That’s why many glass-lined reactor applications involve concentrated acids and solvents.
SSRs: Has a moderate corrosion resistance. SSRs are not meant to use strong acids like hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. This is unless proper alloy grades and surface passivation techniques are used.
3. Temperature And Pressure Tolerance
GLRs: The temperature and pressure withstanding limit is GLRs is up to 250°C and 6 bar pressure. However, we recommend being highly cautious at this point, as a sudden change in the temperature or pressure can crack the internal glass lining.
SSRs: If the stainless steel reactor uses higher heat and pressure, then it can handle temperatures above 350 °C and pressures of up to 15 to 20 bars.
4. Material Strength
GLRs: While the outer steel shell is strong, the inner glass isn’t. It can crack or break during a sudden temperature change or mechanical stress.
SSRs: Offers superior tensile strength and can easily take dynamic loads, vibrations, and mechanical stress.
5. Maintenance And Durability
GLRs: Any damage to the glass lining requires professional repair or replacement, which results in significant downtime and expense.
SSRs: They are easier to maintain and come with CIP (Clean-In-Place) and SIP (Sterilize-In-Place) systems. Surface scratches might occur, but they rarely impact performance.
6. Customizations And Flexibility
GLRs: Customization is quite limited in GLRs. The glass lining restricts the vessel’s size, shape, and internal components.
SSRs: They can be customized to include multiple ports, jacketed reactors, baffles, and heating/cooling coils. You get full design freedom to meet your various stainless steel reactor uses.
Let K-Jhil Choose The Right Reactor For You
To put it briefly, GLRs are a step ahead in handling aggressive acids and processes that require high purity. SSRs, on the other hand, offer superior strength, flexibility, and tolerance to high pressure and temperature.
We recommend selecting between GLR and SSR reactors based on your immediate production requirements and long-term operational strategy.
For instance, if you’re working with corrosive materials and require contamination-free results, GLRs are an ideal solution. Similarly, SSRs are the go-to choice if you need versatility and design customization.
And if you are still skeptical about which reactor best fits your process, then at K-Jhil Scientific, we can help. We are a trusted name in the industry as veteran designers and manufacturers of SSRs, glass reactors and process equipment.
So, if you’re wondering which reactor you should choose and think some expert guidance can help you, why not contact us for a free consultation?
We’ll help you determine which reactor perfectly aligns with your production requirements!
Difference Between GLR and SSR Reactors: FAQs
1. What is the difference between GLR and SSR reactors?
The main difference between a Glass-Lined Reactor(GLR) and a Stainless Steel Reactor(SSR) is the material composition. From the inside, a GLR has a corrosion-resistant glass coating, so it can handle acids and reactive chemicals. On the other hand, an SSR is completely made from stainless steel and can best handle high-pressure and high-temperature operations.
2. What are the common applications of glass-lined reactors?
The most common applications of glass-lined reactors include handling:
- Pharmaceutical synthesis
- Corrosive acids
- Crystallization
- Polymerization
- Hydrolysis
3. Which is better: a jacketed glass reactor or a stainless steel reactor?
The answer depends on your processing needs. While a jacketed glass reactor is better for handling corrosive chemicals at moderate temperatures, a stainless steel reactor, on the other hand, is better suited for high-pressure and temperature reactions,.