Synthesis apparatus and method

A synthesis apparatus comprising:

• a reaction vessel having a first lower port and a second upper port;
• a temperature control device for controlling the temperature of the reaction vessel;
• a plurality of reservoirs for holding reaction components;
• a plurality of conduits, each of the plurality of conduits connecting the second upper port of the reaction vessel with a respective one of the plurality of reservoirs;
• a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure of content in a conduit external to said reaction vessel that connects an agitation device-to the reaction vessel;
• a supply pump configured to selectively supply controlled amounts of reaction components held in the plurality of reservoirs to the reaction vessel at desired times;
• and
• a controller configured to control the supply pump and the agitation device;
• wherein the agitation device is configured to selectively withdraw an amount of content from the reaction vessel through the first lower port thereof and selectively return the withdrawn content to the reaction vessel through the first lower port thereof;
• and
• wherein the pressure sensor is configured to send a signal to the controller, the signal being indicative of a pressure in the conduit connecting the agitation device to the reaction vessel that can be used to infer the viscosity of the mixed reaction components, and
• wherein the controller is configured to control the rate of withdrawal from or return of reactants to the reaction vessel, using the agitation device, in response to a change in the signal received from the pressure sensor, thereby ensuring that a predefined pressure limit is not exceeded and that the mixed reaction components are not damaged by high shear forces.