IKA LR 1000.20 Flow Breaker, for LR 1000, 0004663200

Fluid mechanics and the elimination of the vortex effect

In chemical reactor technology, the rotation of a centrally positioned agitator – particularly in the case of Newtonian fluids or media with low to medium viscosity – inevitably leads to the formation of a strong tangential flow. The entire fluid begins to rotate as a rigid body with the agitator (solid-body rotation). The physical consequence is the formation of a deep, central vortex (vortex effect), through which atmospheric oxygen is inadvertently drawn into the medium, whilst the actual macroscopic mixing comes to a standstill. The IKA LR 1000.20 flow breaker (baffle) is the essential process engineering component required to counteract this flow phenomenon. Acting as a static obstacle within the reaction chamber, it blocks the laminar tangential flow and forces the photon and mass flows into highly turbulent, axial and radial vectors. This drastically increases the local Reynolds number, maximises the shear gradients and guarantees an absolutely homogeneous, bubble-free phase distribution within the 1000-ml reactor.

In-situ thermodynamic measurement in the turbulent core

Precise chemical synthesis requires exact thermodynamic monitoring of the reaction temperature directly at the core of the medium, far removed from the thermal boundary layers of the heated reactor wall. The LR 1000.20 flow disruptor fulfils a highly intelligent dual function in this regard: it not only acts as a mechanical disruptor, but is also designed as a hollow protective sleeve. It is designed to accommodate IKA temperature sensors (such as the PT 100.30) directly and centrally. This integration ensures that the temperature is measured precisely within the high-turbulence zone generated by the flow breaker, thereby reducing thermal lags (delays) in the control of the heating output to an absolute minimum.

Material integrity and hermetic standard-ground integration

To ensure that the atmosphere inside the reactor (vacuum or inert gas) is not compromised, the flow breaker is integrated gas-tight into the lid of the LR 1000 laboratory reactor via a precision-ground standard ground joint. All surfaces of the component that come into contact with the process medium are made of highly corrosion-resistant AISI 316L stainless steel (material number 1.4404). This chemical inertness allows for continuous use in aggressive solvents or acids. The dead-space-free, electropolished, single-material design also prevents the adhesion of microbiological biofilms and enables complete thermal sterilisation in an autoclave in accordance with the strictest GLP guidelines.

Technical details

• Product type: Flow breaker (baffle) with sensor mount
• Fluid dynamic function: Disruption of laminar tangential flows and vortices
• Thermodynamic benefit: Drastic increase in mixing kinetics and heat exchange
• Specific feature: Hollow shaft for the integration of temperature sensors (e.g. PT 100)
• Compatibility: IKA LR 1000 laboratory reactor systems
• Material: Solid AISI 316L stainless steel (material no. 1.4404)
• Installation: Gas-tight integration via standard-threaded ports in the reactor lid
• Chemical resistance: Complete resistance to organic solvents
• Vacuum compatibility: Maintains system integrity through precise fits
• Hygiene: Fully autoclavable and chemically sterilisable

Scope of supply

• 1 x IKA LR 1000.20 flow breaker (stainless steel)

(Important note: The IKA LR 1000 reactor vessel, temperature sensors and the base station are not included in the scope of delivery!)

Individual requirements & accessories

The flow breaker only realises its full potential when coupled with a measuring instrument. To utilise the component’s dual function, you will need the appropriate IKA PT 100.30 temperature probe, which is inserted precisely into the shaft of the breaker. When processing extremely high-viscosity pastes with the anchor agitator (LR 1000.10), the flow breaker is often not physically necessary and may interfere; it is primarily designed for low- to medium-viscosity fluids in combination with propeller or dissolver agitators. Please contact our procurement service for a configuration that is free from fluid-dynamic errors.