US 2001/0034064 A1 · Parallel reactor with internal sensing

Abstract

An apparatus and method for carrying out and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions is disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels for containing reaction mixtures, and systems for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel, and a system for injecting liquids into the vessels at a pressure different than ambient pressure. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers, and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight.

Claims170

Dependent claims

An apparatus for parallel processing of reaction mixtures comprising:

vessels for containing the reaction mixtures;
a stirring system for agitating the reaction mixtures;
and
a temperature control system that is adapted to maintain a first group of the vessels at a different temperature than a second group of the vessels.

1 more element

An apparatus for monitoring rates of production or consumption of a gas-phase component of a reaction mixture comprising:

a vessel for containing the reaction mixture, the vessel having a gas inlet for introducing a gas-phase component of the reaction mixture into the vessels and an open end for loading the vessel with one or more condensed-phase components of the reaction mixture;
a stirring system for agitating the reaction mixture;
a temperature control system for regulating the temperature of the reaction mixture;
and
a pressure control system comprising:
caps removably attached to the open end of vessel, the cap minimizing gas flow through the open end of vessel;
a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the vessel;
a conduit providing fluid communication between a source of the gas-phase component and the gas inlet of the vessel;
a valve located along the conduit between the source of the gas-phase component and the gas inlet of the vessel;
a valve controller communicating with the valve, the valve controller regulating the amount of the gas-phase component entering the vessel by selectively opening or closing the valve;
and
a processor communicating with the valve controller and the pressure sensor, the processor directing the valve controller to selectively open or close the valve in response to a signal received from the pressure sensor.

9 more elements

A method of monitoring a rate of consumption of a gas-phase reactant where there is a net loss of moles of gas-phase components in a reaction mixture due to reaction, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a vessel with starting materials to form the reaction mixture;
confining the reaction mixtures in the vessel to allow reaction to occur;
stirring the reaction mixture for at least a portion of the confining step;
filling the vessel with the gas-phase reactant until gas pressure in the vessel exceeds an upper-pressure limit, PH;
allowing gas pressure in the vessel to decay below a lower-pressure limit, PL;
monitoring the gas pressure in the vessel during the filling and allowing steps so as to generate a record of pressure versus time for the vessel;
repeating the filling step and the allowing step at least once;
and
determining rates of consumption of the gas-phase reactant in the reaction mixture from the record of pressure versus time.

6 more elements

A method of monitoring a rate of production of a gas-phase product where there is a net gain of moles of gas-phase components in a reaction mixture due to reaction, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a vessel with starting materials to form the reaction mixture;
confining the reaction mixtures in the vessel to allow reaction to occur;
stirring the reaction mixture for at least a portion of the confining step;
allowing gas pressure in the vessel to rise above an upper-pressure limit, PH;
venting the vessel until gas pressure in the vessel falls below a lower-pressure limit, PL;
monitoring the gas pressure in the vessel during the allowing and venting steps so as to generate a record of pressure versus time for the vessel;
repeating the allowing step and the venting step at least once;
and
determining rates of production of the gas-phase product from the record of pressure versus time.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Parallel reactor with internal sensing

Life of this patent

Parallel reactor with internal sensing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims170