Frequently asked questions

For applications with oxygen gas, use special, grease-free valves and fittings.

Depending on the reactor size, the contents are stirred with a stirring fish or a special overhead magnetic clutch. For applications with gaseous reactants there are special gas entrainment stirrers.

Pressure reactors are either heated electrically in a heating jacket or with a circulating thermostat, which can also be used for cooling.

Pressure reactors are either heated electrically in a heating jacket or with a circulating thermostat, which can also be used for cooling.

The leakage rate of pressure reactors is most simply tested manometrically, i.e. the pressure drop over a certain time is determined.

When operating with flammable gases, particular care must be taken to ensure that no explosive mixtures can arise. Reactors must be purged with inert gas before use and adequate ventilation must be provided. Sources of ignition must be eliminated.

All Berghof electric heaters are equipped with a temperature limiter adjustable between 50 - 300°C.

For the safe operation of pressure reactors, they must be inspected regularly. The §12 Para. 5 BetrSichV applies to plants requiring inspection.

Each pressure vessel must be equipped with a rupture disc as overpressure protection. Optionally, an overflow valve can be mounted as a redundant overpressure protection.

The design, testing and commissioning of pressure vessels is regulated by law. Berghof follows the Pressure Equipment Directive DGR 2014/68/EU and the AD-2000-regulation.

The design, testing and commissioning of pressure vessels is regulated by law. Berghof follows the Pressure Equipment Directive DGR 2014/68/EU and the AD-2000-regulation.

During operation, reagents can be injected in both gaseous and liquid form

During operation, samples of both the gas phase and the liquid phase can be taken. Suitable sampling traps with volumes of 6 -50 ml are available for this purpose.

The operating pressure of reactors is measured with pressure gauges or pressure sensors on the lid. You have the choice between different measuring ranges and accuracies

A temperature sensor in a pressure-resistant immersion tube permanently measures the temperature of the reactor contents.

Berghof only uses high-quality metals and alloys with the appropriate certifications. For most applications, the chemical resistance of stainless steel or stainless steel with PTFE lining is sufficient. Hastelloy is used in special cases

Berghof only uses high-quality metals and alloys with the appropriate certifications. For most applications, the chemical resistance of stainless steel or stainless steel with PTFE lining is sufficient. Hastelloy is used in special cases

Berghof only uses high-quality metals and alloys with the appropriate certifications. For most applications, the chemical resistance of stainless steel or stainless steel with PTFE lining is sufficient. Hastelloy is used in special cases

Berghof only uses high-quality metals and alloys with the appropriate certifications. For most applications, the chemical resistance of stainless steel or stainless steel with PTFE lining is sufficient. Hastelloy is used in special cases

Fittings are always mounted on the reactor cover with clamp ring connections. This allows users to convert their reactors themselves or replace parts.

Optionally, each reactor can be equipped with a hermetically sealed PTFE lining. All parts that come into contact with liquid media are thus protected against corrosion.

Reactors are sealed with O-rings in different positions depending on whether they are to be operated with or without PTFE lining. Both is possible with all reactor types.

A safety opening key ensures that the reactor is pressure-free before opening.

A safety opening key ensures that the reactor is pressure-free before opening.

Berghof reactors and autoclaves are simply closed by hand with a quick-lock closure, without tools.

Each reactor or autoclave consists of a pressure vessel with easy-to-handle quick-lock closure, overpressure protection, temperature and pressure measurement and freely configurable fittings. Stirring is optional.

For the determination of metals in solids, the samples must first be decomposed and brought into solution. This is usually done with conc. mineral acids at temperatures around 200°C.

The decisive advantage of acid digestion in closed vessels is the significantly reduced digestion time. At temperatures above 170°C, one works above the boiling points of the acids. This accelerates the reaction rate considerably.

The decisive advantage of acid digestion in closed vessels is the significantly reduced digestion time. At temperatures above 170°C, one works above the boiling points of the acids. This accelerates the reaction rate considerably.

Polar media and ions are excited to rotate or oscillate in the microwave field. These movements lead to friction, which generates heat. The effectiveness of the heating in the microwave field depends on the polarity or number of ions in the medium to be heated.

Polar media and ions are excited to rotate or oscillate in the microwave field. These movements lead to friction, which generates heat. The effectiveness of the heating in the microwave field depends on the polarity or number of ions in the medium to be heated.

Polar media and ions are excited to rotate or oscillate in the microwave field. These movements lead to friction, which generates heat. The effectiveness of the heating in the microwave field depends on the polarity or number of ions in the medium to be heated.

Organic sample materials are digested with oxidising acids (especially nitric acid or nitric acid with hydrogen peroxide) and are completely mineralised. Fat-containing samples react exothermically. This must be taken into account in temperature control and temperature regulation. Hydrocarbons are oxidatively converted into carbon dioxide gas. Inorganic samples such as metals, oxides, etc. are digested with specific acid mixtures. A general recipe is not available.

Organic sample materials are digested with oxidising acids (especially nitric acid or nitric acid with hydrogen peroxide) and are completely mineralised. Fat-containing samples react exothermically. This must be taken into account in temperature control and temperature regulation. Hydrocarbons are oxidatively converted into carbon dioxide gas. Inorganic samples such as metals, oxides, etc. are digested with specific acid mixtures. A general recipe is not available.

The most important mineral acids and reagents used in microwave acid digestions are nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, aqua regia, hydrofluoric acid, hydrogen peroxide, boric acid, sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid.

In addition to the acid mixture and weight in order for a digestion to be successful, the digestion temperature and digestion time are decisive. These parameters are determined in advance, stored in the method and must be monitored. The vapour pressures of the reaction mixtures increase exponentially with the temperatures. Beside this, gaseous by-products are obtained, which also cause a pressure increase in the vessels. For safety reasons, the pressure must therefore also be monitored.

In addition to the acid mixture and weight in order for a digestion to be successful, the digestion temperature and digestion time are decisive. These parameters are determined in advance, stored in the method and must be monitored. The vapour pressures of the reaction mixtures increase exponentially with the temperatures. Beside this, gaseous by-products are obtained, which also cause a pressure increase in the vessels. For safety reasons, the pressure must therefore also be monitored.

In addition to the acid mixture and weight in order for a digestion to be successful, the digestion temperature and digestion time are decisive. These parameters are determined in advance, stored in the method and must be monitored. The vapour pressures of the reaction mixtures increase exponentially with the temperatures. Beside this, gaseous by-products are obtained, which also cause a pressure increase in the vessels. For safety reasons, the pressure must therefore also be monitored.

High-purity acids, as used for acid digestions, are expensive and may be difficult to obtain. By means of subboiling, acids of lower purity are gently distilled at temperatures 10-20°C below the boiling point. High-purity acids with metal contents in the sub-ppb range are thus available fresh at any time and at considerably lower cost.

High-purity acids, as used for acid digestions, are expensive and may be difficult to obtain. By means of subboiling, acids of lower purity are gently distilled at temperatures 10-20°C below the boiling point. High-purity acids with metal contents in the sub-ppb range are thus available fresh at any time and at considerably lower cost.

A temperature sensor in a pressure-resistant immersion tube permanently measures the temperature of the reactor contents.

The OPC sensor measures the pressure in each vessel in real time without contact. A special glass ring integrated in the vessel lid changes the direction of rotation of the irradiated polarised light depending on the internal pressure of the vessel. Special sensors, which are complex to connect and seal, are no longer required.

The most important parameter for microwave digestions is the digestion temperature or the selected temperature programme. The microwave power is therefore controlled so that the actual sample temperature follows this programme as ideally as possible. Overheating and overpressure situations are intercepted.

Microwave digestion vessels must meet the highest demands. They must be corrosion-resistant, microwave-transparent, pressure-resistant, temperature-resistant, easy to handle and contamination-free. Berghof digestion vessels are also characterised by an unsurpassed service life. Berghof includes the vessels in the warranty and offers warranty extensions of up to 5 years.

Microwave digestion vessels are made of different materials. PTFE, modified TFM^TM-PTFE, PFA, quartz glass and PEEK are used. TFM^TM-PTFE has the best purity and service life.

TFM^TM-PTFE is the material of choice for microwave digestion vessels. Berghof has optimised the manufacturing process and thus offers vessels with unique performance. They are characterised by optimal surface structure and durability.

TFM^TM-PTFE is the material of choice for microwave digestion vessels. Vessels manufactured according to the special Berghof process are characterised by highest purity, optimal surface structure and durability. Even difficult analytical tasks such as mercury determinations are reproducible.

TFM^TM-PTFE is the material of choice for microwave digestion vessels. Vessels manufactured according to the special Berghof process are characterised by highest purity, optimal surface structure and durability. Even difficult analytical tasks such as mercury determinations are reproducible.

Digestion vessels produced according to the special Berghof process are characterised, among other things, by low surface porosity. They are therefore easy to clean. Rinsing with water or acid is usually sufficient.

The unsurpassed durability of the Berghof microwave digestion vessels was proven by digesting a reference material in both new and 7-year-old vessels. The vessels showed no memory effects after a single rinse with water.