Abstract:
A reactor device ( 100 ) for reaction fluid comprising a reaction vessel ( 102 ) comprising: an end cap ( 104 ) comprising at least one passage ( 112 ) for the reaction fluid; and at least one tube ( 116 ) which extends through the reaction vessel ( 102 ). The reaction vessel is operable to receive a control fluid outside the at least one tube ( 116 ) for controlling the temperature inside the at least one tube ( 116 ). A manifold ( 200 ) is connectable to the end cap ( 104 ) and comprises at least one channel ( 206 ) for reaction fluid. An outlet ( 208 ) from the manifold ( 200 ) is in fluid communication with the tube ( 116 ). The end cap ( 104 ) has a thermal conductivity of greater than  1  watt per square meter kelvin to provide a thermal coupling between the control fluid and the manifold ( 200 ).

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to a reactor device for reaction fluid. 
       BACKGROUND RELATING TO THE PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    Traditionally, large scale chemical reactions are carried out as batch processes, typically using stirred tank reactors as shown in  FIG. 1 , where the reactants  4  are mixed by a rotary stirrer  1  and the temperature is controlled by an outer jacket  2  with a thermofluid  3  circulating through the jacket. The large reactant volume of batch reactors, typically 1 litre-1000 litres, and relatively limited area for heat exchange, results in poor temperature control when running exothermic and endothermic reactions. In addition mixing performance in batch reactors is poor resulting in variations in reactant concentration, in particular during reactant addition. 
         [0003]    An alternative to a batch reaction process is to use a flow reactor. An example flow reactor is shown in  FIG. 2  which consists of a junction  7  for combining the reactants, a pipe or channel  6  through which the reactant mixtures flow and react, a static mixer  5  to mix the two reactants together, an outer jacket  2  to control the temperature with a thermofluid  3  circulating through the jacket. 
         [0004]    Typically the reactant streams are brought up (or down) to the reaction temperature before they are fed into the reactor. The static mixer provides rapid mixing which ensures that the reactant concentration is consistent in the reactor, resulting in a higher quality reaction product. For a flow reactor the area of heat transfer is typically large relative to the reactor volume which results in significantly improved temperature control for exothermic and endothermic reactions. 
         [0005]    Examples of other existing flow reactors are described with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0006]      FIG. 3  is a shell and tube flow reactor which typically consists of a metal pipe for the reactants and an outer metal shell. The construction is similar to a shell and tube heat exchanger. This type of reactor is commonly fabricated from metal tube and sheet. Fabrication in glass is possible but generally more challenging. 
         [0007]      FIG. 4  shows a stacked plate flow reactor which consists of a number of metal or glass layers with channels formed in the top surface of each layer which are sealed by diffusion bonding (or similar) to the layer above. In this example the reactant mixture will flow on alternate layers with the thermofluid flowing on the other layers to provide good heat exchange performance between the reaction fluid and thermofluid streams. Stacked plate reactors are also known as microreactors, in particular when the channel diameter is &lt;1 mm. When stacked plate reactors are scaled up in volume, for instance to greater than 10 ml internal volume the manufacturing costs start to rise significantly, in particular for glass plate reactors. 
         [0008]    Other prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,129 which shows a heat exchanger defining a tank through which extends a spiral shaped tube; and FIG. 1 from EP 1,965,900 which shows a crystallisation apparatus having a temperature controlled tube. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reactor device for reaction fluid comprising:
       a reaction vessel comprising:
           an end cap comprising at least one passage for the reaction fluid; and   at least one tube which extends through the reaction vessel, wherein the or each tube comprises a first end, and a second end extending through the reaction vessel and defining an opening providing fluid communication out of the reaction vessel;   wherein the reaction vessel is operable to receive a control fluid outside the at least one tube for controlling the temperature inside the at least one tube;   
           a manifold connectable to the end cap and comprising at least one channel for the reaction fluid extending between at least one inlet and at least one outlet;   wherein the or each outlet from the manifold is in fluid communication with the first end of a respective tube extending through a passage in the end cap;   wherein the end cap has a thermal conductivity of greater than 1 watt per square meter kelvin to provide a thermal coupling between the control fluid and the manifold.       
 
         [0017]    In this way, excess heat/cold in the reaction vessel can be transmitted to the manifold via the end cap, such to bring the temperature of the reaction fluid inside the manifold towards the temperature of the reaction fluid inside the reaction vessel. 
         [0018]    To further improve the thermal coupling between the control fluid and the manifold, the end cap may have a thermal conductivity of greater than 10 watts per square meter kelvin, preferably 25 watts per square meter kelvin, more preferably 50 watts per square meter kelvin, or even more preferably 100 watts per square meter kelvin. 
         [0019]    Preferably the end cap, or a portion of the end cap, is detachable. In this way, the inside of the reaction vessel can be easily accessed, allowing easier maintenance of the reaction vessel. 
         [0020]    To make the manifold easier to handle and maintain, preferably the manifold is a block. 
         [0021]    To prevent damage to the manifold when it is in use, and to improve the thermal coupling between the manifold and the end cap, preferably the manifold sits on the end cap. In this case, the manifold may sit within a cavity located in the top cap. 
         [0022]    Although control fluid inside the reaction vessel may be periodically refilled by detaching the end cap from the rest of the reaction vessel, preferably the reaction vessel comprises an entry port and an exit port for changing the control fluid inside the reaction vessel. 
         [0023]    The at least one inlet of each channel may comprise a first inlet for receiving a first reaction fluid and a second inlet for receiving a second reaction fluid, wherein each channel comprises a region downstream of the first and second inlets for combining the first and second reaction fluids. In this way, two separate reaction fluids can be introduced into the device and then mixed inside the manifold. 
         [0024]    If there is a plurality of channels inside the manifold, these channels may not necessarily be connected to each other, thus allowing two different reaction fluid flows to pass independently through the manifold. 
         [0025]    The or each channel preferably comprises a region defining a tortuous path for reaction fluid flowing through the channel. Due to the direction changes in the tortuous path, mixing of the reaction fluid as it passes through the manifold is improved. 
         [0026]    Mixing of the reaction fluid in each channel may also be improved by adding a region in the channel where it splits and then recombines. 
         [0027]    If there is a plurality of tubes inside the reaction vessel, each of these may be connected to the same outlet from the manifold, or each connected to a different outlet in the manifold. In some cases, the plurality of tubes may not be connected to each other, thus allowing two different reaction fluid flows to pass separately through the reaction vessel. 
         [0028]    To maximise the time that the reaction fluid can react inside the at least one tube, preferably each tube forms a spiral inside the reaction vessel. Other than a spiral, each tube may have any other shape that maximises the length of the tube inside the reaction vessel. 
         [0029]    Preferably, the internal diameter of each tube is between 1 mm-10 mm. Within this range, the internal diameter of the tube is preferably less than 5 mm as above this amount, fluid flow within each tube tends to stratify, rather than form as a plug/slug, thus making the fluid flow more difficult to handle. 
         [0030]    In some cases, a mixing device may be located in each tube for mixing the fluid passing through the tube. 
         [0031]    Preferably, the device comprises a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of fluid inside the device, or for measuring the temperature of the reaction fluid. The temperature sensor may be located in a channel(s) of the manifold, or in a tube(s). A temperature sensor may additionally/alternatively be located to measure the temperature of the control fluid inside the reaction vessel. As required, the temperature sensor may be supplemented or replaced with any other sensor(s) for measuring a property (for instance, but not limited to, the pressure/composition/absorption/optical properties/pH/turbidity) of the fluid inside the device. 
         [0032]    The reactor device may comprise a sampling port for extracting a sample of fluid from the device. 
         [0033]    Preferably at least one of the manifold and a portion of the reactor vessel, such as each tube is made of glass. The benefits of glass include excellent chemical resistance and that it allows good visibility inside the tube/manifold. Glass is also a material that chemists are very familiar with as it is commonly used for lab-scale reactions. 
         [0034]    In some cases, at least one of the manifold and the tube may be made of a chemically resistive metal/metal alloy, such as stainless steel or Hastelloy® (a Nickel based alloy). Use of these materials would be beneficial if the device needs to withstand high thermal stresses or temperature differentials. 
         [0035]    Preferably the manifold comprises a base layer and a top layer which are bonded together, wherein a channel from the manifold is formed at the interface between the two layers. 
         [0036]    Preferably, the device comprises a first end at which the manifold is located, and a second end opposite the first end. In this case, the second end of each tube may be located in the second end of the device. 
         [0037]    Alternatively, the second end of each tube may be located in the first end of the device. Here, the second end of each tube may be in fluid communication with a further fluid channel in the manifold. 
         [0038]    In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a reactor assembly comprising a first reactor device as described above, and a second reactor device for the reaction fluid comprising:
       a reaction vessel comprising:
           an end cap comprising at least one opening for the reaction fluid; wherein the end cap of the second reactor device is connectable to the end cap from the first reactor device, such that reactor fluid can flow via the at least one opening from the second reactor device into an inlet of a channel of the first reactor device.   
               
 
         [0041]    Preferably, the manifold from the first reactor device is locatable between the end cap of the first reactor device and the end cap of the second reactor device to fluidly connect the two reaction vessels, and so that the manifold is protected from accidental damage. 
         [0042]    In its most basic form, the second aspect of the invention therefore provides a modular system where two (or more) reaction vessels can be connected in series as required to generate the necessary reaction conditions required for a given reaction. 
         [0043]    As will be appreciated, the second reactor device may further comprise any/all of the other features described according to the first aspect of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0044]    The invention will now be described with reference to the accompany Figures in which: 
           [0045]      FIG. 1  shows a first prior art reactor device; 
           [0046]      FIG. 2  shows a second prior art reactor device; 
           [0047]      FIG. 3  shows a third prior art reactor device; 
           [0048]      FIG. 4  shows a fourth prior art reactor device; 
           [0049]      FIG. 5  shows a cross section view of a first embodiment reactor device; 
           [0050]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  show perspective views of two different manifolds that are suitable for use with the reactor device of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 7  shows a cross section view of a second embodiment reactor device; 
           [0052]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  show a cross section view of a portion of the reactor device from  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0053]      FIG. 9  shows a cross section view of a third embodiment reactor device; 
           [0054]      FIG. 10  shows a cross section view of a reactor assembly comprising two reactor devices connected in series; 
           [0055]      FIG. 11A  shows a first side view of an exemplary reactor device; 
           [0056]      FIG. 11B  shows a second side view of the reactor device from  FIG. 11A ; 
           [0057]      FIG. 11C  shows a bottom view of the reactor device from  FIG. 11A ; and 
           [0058]      FIG. 11D  shows a reactor assembly comprising two of the reactor devices from  FIGS. 11A-11C  connected together; 
           [0059]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  show cross section views of possible other reactor devices; and 
           [0060]      FIG. 13  shows a cross section view of another possible reactor device connected to a portion of a separate reactor device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0061]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a reactor device  100 . The device  100  is formed of a generally cylindrical reaction vessel  102  that has an open first end  102 A and an open second end  102 B. The first open end  102 A is closed off by a top end cap  104 , and the second end  102 B is closed off by a bottom end cap  106 . Together the reaction vessel  102  and the two end caps  104 ; 106  define a space  107  for the receipt of a preheated/precooled control fluid. 
         [0062]    The reaction vessel  102  is preferably made of glass ora chemically resistant metal/metal alloy. Each of the top cap  104  and the bottom cap  106  is predominately made of a material(s) with good thermal conductivity, such as metal (for example stainless steel or aluminium). In this way, when the device is used, the end caps  104 ; 106  are heated/cooled towards the temperature of the control fluid inside the space  107 . 
         [0063]    A respective flange  108 : 110  extends around the circumference of the top and bottom end cap  104 ; 106 . In use the flange  108  is connectable to the flange  110  of a neighbouring device  100  such that the two devices can be connected together end-to-end as will be described later and as is shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
         [0064]    Extending through the top cap  104  is a channel  112  which defines a hole to allow reaction fluid to pass through the top cap  104 . A corresponding channel  114  extends through the bottom cap  106  to allow reaction fluid to pass therethrough. The channel  112  in the top cap  104  is fluidly connected to the channel  114  in the bottom cap  106  by a tube  116 , preferably made of glass, which is located in the space  107  and which preferably extends through the channels  112 ; 114 . Together, the channel  112 , the tube  116  and the channel  114  allow reaction fluid to pass from outside the device  100  through the top cap  104 , through the space  107  and out of the device  100  via the bottom cap  106 . 
         [0065]    A first retaining means is provided on the top cap  104  which engages with the tube  116  for holding the tube  116  in position within the channel  112 . In one embodiment, the retaining means is a collar that grips the outer surface of the tube  116  and which is fastened to the top surface of the top cap  104 . Preferably the collar is made of a plastic, such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK), or aluminium. 
         [0066]    A second retaining means, similar to the first retaining means, is provided on the bottom cap  106  for holding the tube  116  in position within the channel  114 . 
         [0067]    The tube  116  is preferably coiled in the space  107  so that the tube is as long as possible inside the space  107 . 
         [0068]    To help seal the space  107 , an O-ring seal  117  is located between the tube  116  and the channels  112 ; 114 . 
         [0069]    Although not shown in the Figures, a mixing device may be located in the tube  116  to assist with the mixing of any reaction fluid flowing there through. Example mixing devices that may be present include protuberances/recesses located on the inside of the tube, a propeller, baffle, mesh screen, or any form of static mixer located inside of the tube. 
         [0070]    An inlet port  118  is provided on the bottom cap  106  to allow the control fluid to be pumped into the space  107 . The inlet port  118  extends from a lateral opening  120  located on the side of the bottom cap  106 , and defines an L-shaped channel that terminates at an opening  122  in the top surface of the cap  106  that is in fluid communication with the space  107 . 
         [0071]    A corresponding outlet port  124  is located on the top cap  104  and defines an L-shaped channel which allows the control fluid to pass from the space  107  through the bottom surface of the top cap  104  and out from the device  100  via an opening  126  located on the side of the top cap  104 . 
         [0072]    A supplementary port  130  is provided in each of the top and bottoms caps  104 ; 106 . Each supplementary port  130  can act as supplementary inlet/outlet for the space, or can be connected to an aspirating mechanism (not shown in the Figures) to allow a portion of the working fluid in the space to be aspirated for analysis/sampling, or connected to any form of probe/sensor that measures a property (for instance, but not limited to, the temperature/pressure/composition/absorption/optical properties/pH/turbidity) of the working fluid. 
         [0073]    The top surface of the top cap  104  defines a cavity  134  for receiving a manifold  200 . The manifold of  FIG. 5  takes the form of a block that sits on a top surface of the top cap  104 . The manifold block  200  is connected to the top cap by way of a fastening means, such as screws  201 , that engage with corresponding holes in the top surface of the top cap  104 . 
         [0074]    It will be seen from  FIG. 5  that the manifold  200  has a large surface area that is contact with the top cap  104 . As will be explained later, this ensures a good thermal connection between the manifold  200  and the top cap  104 . 
         [0075]    The manifold block  200  comprises a first inlet  202  for the receipt of a first reaction fluid, a second inlet  204  for the receipt of a second reaction fluid, a channel  206  where the two reaction fluids are mixed together, and an outlet  208  located at the end of the channel  206 . The manifold  200  is releasably connected to the cavity  134  and is located in use such that the outlet  206  from the manifold  200  is in fluid communication with the tube  116  located in the channel  112  from the top cap  104  of the reactor device  100 . 
         [0076]    An example construction of the manifold  200  is shown in each of  FIGS. 6A and 6B . Each of these manifolds  200 A; 200 B comprises the first fluid inlet  202 , the second fluid inlet  204 , the channel  206  and the outlet  208 . Each of manifolds  200 A; 200 B additionally comprises a third inlet  210  for the receipt of a third reaction fluid. Each of the fluid inlets extends from the top surface of the manifold  200  and merge at a branch point  212  in the channel  206 . Downstream of the branch point  212 , the channel  206  adopts a tortuous path  216  comprising several bends and changes in direction. The tortuous path serves to thoroughly mix the reaction fluids together as they pass through the manifold  200 . To further improve the mixing in the manifold  200 , as shown in  FIG. 6B  the channel  212  preferably comprises portions  218  that split and then recombine. 
         [0077]    To operate the device shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6A-6B , the manifold  200  is placed inside and connected to the cavity  134  of the top cap  104 . Preheated/precooled control fluid is then circulated through the space  107  via the inlet port  118  and the outlet port  124  such that the space  107  is constantly filled with the control fluid and is held at the required temperature. 
         [0078]    As the temperature in the space  107  is brought to the required temperature, the thermally conductive end caps  104  and  106  that are in contact with the control fluid in the space  107  are brought towards the required temperature. Since the manifold  200  is in good thermal contact with the top cap  104 , the temperature of the manifold  200  is similarly brought towards the required temperature. Thus the top cap  104  acts as a temperature controlling component for controlling the temperature of the manifold. 
         [0079]    Once the device  100  has been sufficiently brought towards the required temperature, reaction fluids are then fed into the inlets of the manifold  200 . As the reaction fluids pass through the tortuous path  216  of channel  206 , they are thoroughly mixed together and preheated/precooled towards the required temperature due to the preheating/precooling of the manifold  200  by the top cap  104 . 
         [0080]    At the outlet  208  of the channel  206 , the mixed reaction fluid passes into the channel  112  of the top cap  104  and then into the tube  116 . As it passes through the tube  116 , the surrounding control fluid brings the reaction fluid to the required temperature, thus allowing the reaction fluid to react inside the tube  116 . The coil-shape of the tube  116  provides the reaction fluid with as much time to react inside the space  107  as possible. 
         [0081]    Once the reaction fluid has reacted inside, and exited, the tube  116 , the reaction fluid passes through the channel  114  in the bottom cap  106  and out of the device  100  for further processing. 
         [0082]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a cross section view of a second embodiment reactor device  100 . The reaction vessel  102  from  FIG. 7  is very similar to the reaction vessel from  FIG. 5 . However the manifold  200 C from  FIG. 7  is different to the manifold  200  from  FIG. 5 . 
         [0083]    The manifold  200 C only comprises one inlet  202  which is operable to connect to a supply of premixed reaction fluid. A sprung seal  226  surrounds the inlet  202  to accommodate for any movement that might occur between the inlet  202  and the supply of premixed reaction fluid (which might, for example, be caused by thermal expansion in the manifold  200 C as it heats up in use). 
         [0084]    As the manifold  200 C receives premixed reaction fluid, the channel  206  in the manifold  206  does not necessarily define a tortuous path and instead may define a straight horizontal portion  220  between the inlet  202  and the outlet  208 . A slot  222  is preferably located at one end of the horizontal channel for the receipt of a probe/sensor  224  that measures a property (for instance, but not limited to, the temperature/pressure/composition/absorption properties/optical properties/pH/turbidity) of the reaction fluid passing through the straight portion  220  of the manifold  200 . 
         [0085]    Rather than holding a probe/sensor  224 , the slot  222  may connect to a valve (not shown in the Figures) which allows a portion of the fluid in the channel  206  to be aspirated; 
         [0086]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  show in greater detail the structure of the manifold  200 C from  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 8A , a seal  227  between the probe  224  and the manifold  200 C ensures that the channel  206  is sealed. Preferably, the manifold  200 C is fabricated from a base layer  228  and a top layer  230 , each made of glass. The channel  206 , the slot  222 , and the outlet  208  are formed in the base layer by wet etching, powder-blasting, milling or ultrasonic machining. The base layer  228  is then diffusion bonded to the top layer  230  to seal the channel  206 , the slot  222 , and the outlet  208 . This fabrication process is the same as that used for making other manifolds herein described that are made of glass. 
         [0087]    With reference to  FIG. 9 , there is shown a cross section view of a third embodiment reactor device  100  having the reaction vessel  102  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , and a third embodiment manifold  200 D. The manifold  200 D comprises a first portion  240  connected upstream of, and in series with, a second portion  242 . The structure of the second portion  242  is identical to the manifold  200  shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0088]    The first portion  240  of the manifold  200 D is the same as the manifold  200 C but has two fluid inlets  202 ; 204 , two channels  206 A; 206 B extending therethrough, and two fluid outlets  208 A; 208 B. The channels  206 A; 206 B are separate to each other thus allowing two separate reaction fluids to extend through the first portion  240  of the manifold  200 D without mixing. 
         [0089]    The second portion  242  of the manifold  200 D is connected underneath, and downstream of, the first portion  240 . The second portion  242  comprises a first and second inlet  202 ′; 204 ′ in respective fluid communication with the first and second outlet  208 A; 208 B from the first portion  240 . A seal  248  is positioned at the interface of the first inlet  202 ′ and the first outlet  208 A, and at the interface of the second inlet  204 ′ and the second outlet  208 B, to accommodate for any movement that might occur between the first and second portions  240 ; 242  of the manifold  200 D. 
         [0090]    To allow for a property of the fluid flowing through the second portion  242  of the manifold  200 D to be measured, a slot  244  and a corresponding probe/sensor  246  may be provided in the second portion  242 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0091]      FIG. 10  shows a cross section view of a reactor assembly  1000  comprising a first reactor device  100 A and a second reactor device  100 B connected in series. 
         [0092]    The first reactor device  100 A comprises a reaction vessel  102  with a modified top and bottom cap  104 ; 106 . In each of the ends caps  104 ; 106 , there is provided a plurality of channels  112 ; 114 , and the reaction vessel  102  comprises a plurality of tubes  116  in parallel with each other. In this way, the reaction vessel  100 A is operable to allow different reaction fluids to pass through the reaction vessel  100 A independently of each other. 
         [0093]    The second reactor device  100 B is identical to the reactor device shown in  FIG. 5  and is located downstream of the first reactor device  100 A, and is connected thereto via the flange  110  on the first reactor device  100 A being connected to the flange  108  on the second reactor device  100 B. A seal  138  between the two flanges  108 ; 110  ensures no leakage between the two connected reactor devices  100 A; 100 B. 
         [0094]    In this connected state, each of the reaction fluids passing through the tubes  116  from the first reactor device  100 A are fed into respective inlets  202 ; 204  located in the manifold  200  of the second reactor device  100 B. Flow of these fluids through the second reactor device  100 B is then as described with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0095]    From the above description, it will be appreciated that the temperature of the control fluid in the first reactor device  100 A need not be the same as the temperature of the control fluid in the second reactor device  100 B. In this way, a complex heating regime can be imposed on the reaction fluids as they pass through the different reactor devices  100 A; 100 B of the reactor assembly  1000 . 
         [0096]    It also will be appreciated that any combination of different reactor devices and manifolds can be selected and stacked in series, as required, to achieve the necessary splitting/combining/mixing/passage of reaction fluids through the manifolds, and to achieve the necessary heating/cooling of the reaction fluids in the tube(s) of each reactor vessel. 
         [0097]    Rather than having the reactor devices  100 A; 100 B connected end-to-end, it will also be appreciated that a reactor device could be provided as shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B  whereby the reaction vessel  102  has a closed bottom instead of a bottom cap. In this case, both ends of the tube(s)  116  located inside the reaction vessel  102  would be connected to a respective inlet and outlet channel in the top cap  104 . The outlet channel would then pass out from the top surface of the top cap  104  as shown in  FIG. 12A . In some cases, as shown in  FIG. 12B , reaction fluid from the outlet channel may then continue through the manifold via a further channel located therein as shown in  FIG. 12B . 
         [0098]    It can also be seen from  FIGS. 12A and 12B  that the inlet and outlet ports  118 ; 124  that control the access of control fluid into the space  107  need not necessarily be located on the end caps  104 : 106 , and could instead be integral with the reaction vessel  102 . 
         [0099]    It will also be appreciated that the reactor device  100  could be configured such that the manifold  200  is inserted from the side of the top cap  104 , rather than positioned on the top surface of the top cap  104 . An example of such a reactor device  100  is shown in  FIG. 13 . In this reactor device  100 , the manifold  200  comprises an encapsulating sleeve  232  that matches the shape of the cavity  134  of the top cap  104 . One side of the top cap  104  defines an orifice  136  that allows the manifold  200  and its associated sleeve  232  to be inserted into the cavity  134 . 
         [0100]    As required, a slot and a corresponding probe/sensor may be provided through the side of manifold  200  and its sleeve  232 , to allow for a property of the reaction fluid flowing through the manifold  200  to be measured. 
         [0101]    In the reactor device  100  shown in  FIG. 13 , when the manifold  200  is located in the cavity  134  of the reactor device  100 , and the reactor device  100  is connected to a second reactor device via the flanges  108 ; 110  of the two reactor devices, as shown in  FIG. 13 , friction prevents the manifold  200  being removed from between the top cap  104  of the first reactor device  100  and the bottom cap  106  of the second reactor device. In this way, the manifold  200  does not require fastening to the top cap  104  of the reactor device. 
         [0102]    An advantage of the reactor device  100  shown in  FIG. 13  is that when the reactor device  100  is connected to another reactor device, the two reactor devices do not need to be completely separated to allow the manifold  200  to be removed. Instead, the connection between the flanges  108 ; 110  of the two reactor devices can be loosened, to reduce the frictional forces enough such that the manifold can be slid out from the orifice  136  of the top cap  104  of the first reactor device  100 .