Uniqsis, Cambridge Reactor Design in cooling system advance
9 May 2011
Cambridge, UK – Uniqsis Ltd and Cambridge Reactor Design Ltd, both based near Cambridge, are collaborating to commercialise a cooling system for continuous flow reactors used in flow chemistry. The new FlowSyn Polar Bear system is said to enable controlled mixing and cooling of reagents down to -88°C.
The Polar Bear chiller module was developed in conjunction with the Ley Group (Innovative Technology Centre), also of Cambridge, and is intended for flow chemistry applications. A fully integrated plug-and-play module, it uses advanced cooling technology without the need for solid CO2, solvents or heat transfer fluids to deliver rapid cooling down to -88°C at the touch of a button, Uniqsis said.
When partnered with the Uniqsis FlowSyn continuous flow reactor, it can be used for rapid pre-cooling of reagents and controlled mixing and cooling of reagents in highly exothermic flow chemistry reactions.
Systems for cooling flow chemistry reactions below -70°C have historically been cumbersome and inconvenient, involving pressurised gas cylinders and/or heat exchangers, according to Uniqsis.
The chiller module is compatible with all FlowSyn coil reactors and mixer blocks and works in combination with and can be controlled by any FlowSyn system, the company adds.
For example, it said, when combined with FlowSyn Auto-LF, series of combinatorial experiments, each at a different sub-ambient temperature, can automatically be performed in sequence.
The module is available as a standalone chiller unit with its own control unit or integrated with FlowSyn to make up the FlowSyn Polar Bearäsystem. Both options are available from Uniqsis who will be selling and supporting the FlowSyn Polar Bearä through its offices in the UK and the US and through its international distribution network.
“We are very pleased to be able to collaborate with CRD on the commercialisation of this important new product,” said Paul Pergande, group MD of Uniqsis. “With their expertise in product development for the chemical industry, CRD are in an excellent position to partner us in our mission to broaden the capability and applications of FlowSyn.
“We are already working with them on commercialising a second product which will be released in the coming weeks - a new gas module which will deliver a gas-saturated solvent input to the FlowSyn flow reactor.”
