Common Classifications Of Reactor Sizes

Based on volume, industrial-grade reactors can be divided into three main categories: laboratory-type (0.1-50L), pilot-scale type (50-500L), and production-type (500L-50m³). Laboratory-type reactors are mostly used for small-scale experiments or formulation development, with inner diameters typically between 100-500mm and a height-to-inner-diameter ratio of approximately 1.5-3:1. For example, a common 25L reactor has an inner diameter of approximately 300mm and a height of approximately 800mm. Pilot-scale reactors need to balance experimental repeatability with large-scale production, with volumes mostly between 100-300L and inner diameters reaching 600-1000mm. Production-type reactors have a wide range of volumes, from 500L to 50m³. Large reactors can have inner diameters exceeding 3 meters and heights exceeding 5 meters, requiring segmented manufacturing and on-site assembly.