Pilot Plant Reactors for Process Development and Scale-Up

Transitioning a chemical process from laboratory bench to industrial production is one of the most demanding stages in process development. Our pilot plant reactors are engineered to bridge that gap — giving your team a precision-controlled, industrially-rated environment to validate chemistry, refine process parameters, and generate the scale-up data your production team needs.

We supply pilot plant reactors across a full range of materials, pressures, and volumes, with certifications and customisation options to match virtually any process requirement or regional compliance standard..

Standard Options and Specifications

High-Pressure Capability up to 20 MPa

For processes operating under extreme conditions — hydrogenation, polymerisation, supercritical reactions, and high-temperature synthesis — our reactors are available with operating pressures up to 20 MPa (200 bar). Every high-pressure unit is built with:

• Heavy-wall vessel construction using high-performance alloys for structural integrity under cyclical pressure loads

• Magnetic couplings and high-specification mechanical seals to eliminate leakage and maintain atmosphere purity

• Integrated burst discs, automated pressure-relief valves, and real-time pressure monitoring for operator safety

• PLC/SCADA control interfaces for automated dosing, temperature management, and data logging

The Right Material for Your Chemistry

Selecting the correct material of construction is critical to reactor performance, product purity, and longevity. We supply pilot plant reactors in the following materials:

• Stainless Steel — SS304, SS316L, and SS316Ti for general chemical and pharmaceutical applications

• Hastelloy — C-22, C-276 for highly corrosive acid environments

• Titanium — Excellent resistance to oxidising acids and chloride-rich environments

• Tantalum-lined — For the most aggressive chemistries where no other metal suffices

• Glass-lined (enamel) — Ideal for pharmaceutical, fine chemical, and food-grade processes requiring inert wetted surfaces

• PTFE-lined — Superior chemical resistance across a wide pH range, including strong acids, alkalis, and solvents

• Exotic alloys — Monel, Inconel, Duplex stainless, and others available on request

Not sure which material suits your process? Visit our MOC Resources Centre for detailed compatibility guides.

Certified to International Standards

Our pilot plant reactors are certified to the applicable pressure equipment standards depending on your region of installation:

• CE / PED (Pressure Equipment Directive) — for installations within the EU and UK

• ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) — for North American installations

• Other regional standards such as ATEX/UL/CSA available on request

Certification documentation and full traceability records are included with every order.

Why Choose Equipodia for Your Pilot Plant Reactor?

• UK-based supplier with direct accountability and local support

• Short lead times — standard configurations delivered within 120 days

• Fully customisable — vessel geometry, nozzle layout, metallurgy, and control systems tailored to your process

• Turnkey-ready — compatible with heating/cooling units, vacuum systems, and condensers for a complete plug-and-play pilot plant

• Expert guidance — our team will help you specify the right reactor for your chemistry and scale-up goals

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pilot plant reactor? A pilot plant reactor is an intermediate-scale vessel used to test and validate a chemical process between laboratory scale and full industrial production. It allows engineers to gather scale-up data, optimise process parameters, and identify engineering challenges before committing to full production equipment.

What volumes do your pilot plant reactors come in? Our standard range covers 50L to 500L. For processes requiring larger or non-standard geometries, we offer fully customised solutions — contact us with your requirements and we will specify accordingly.

What pressure can your pilot reactors handle? Our high-pressure pilot reactors are rated up to 20 MPa (200 bar), suitable for demanding processes such as hydrogenation, high-pressure synthesis, and supercritical fluid reactions.

Are your reactors CE and ASME certified? Yes. Our reactors are certified to CE/PED for EU and UK installations, and ASME for North American use. Certification is confirmed at the point of order based on your region of installation.

What is the lead time? Standard pilot plant reactors are delivered within 120 days of order confirmation. For highly customised configurations, lead times are confirmed at quotation stage.

Can you supply a complete pilot plant system? Yes. Our reactors are designed for turnkey integration with heating and cooling units, condensers, vacuum systems, and instrumentation. We can advise on full pilot plant configurations.

Ready to specify your pilot plant reactor? Contact our team with your process requirements — pressure, temperature, chemistry, and volume — and we will provide a detailed technical proposal and quotation within 2 business days.