Modular reactor system with stirrer

Abstract

A modular reactor system comprises a backplane connected to a computer and a thermal control unit. The backplane includes a plurality of seats for releasably holding a plurality of modules. Each module holds a reactor vessel that may be used to conduct experiments. A plurality of laboratory instruments, such as motors, switches, sensors and pumps are included within the backplane and on the reactor modules. These laboratory instruments are utilized to perform work on the contents of the reactor vessels when the modules holding the reactor vessels are positioned in the backplane. A computer is connected to the backplane and controls the laboratory instruments within the backplane and on the reactor modules positioned within the backplane. A thermal control unit provides a thermal control fluid that is delivered to the reactors in the reactor modules when the modules are properly seated in the backplane.

1 . A modular reactor system comprising, 
 a support housing having a plurality of module seats, wherein each module seat releasably engages a reactor module having a reactor vessel coupled to a shell;    a movable motor coupled to the support housing, and    a motor shaft operably connected to the motor such that when the motor is energized, the motor shaft rotates.    
     
     
         2 . The modular reactor system of  claim 1 , wherein the movable motor is connected to a gimbal.  
     
     
         3 . The modular reactor system of  claim 2 , wherein the gimbal is mounted on the support housing of the modular reactor system.  
     
     
         4 . The modular reactor system of  claim 1 , wherein the movable motor is movable by rotation about two different axes.  
     
     
         5 . The modular reactor system of  claim 1 , the stirrer further comprising a means for counterbalancing, such that when the motor is moved to a position, the motor is maintained in that position by the means for counterbalancing.  
     
     
         6 . The modular reactor system of  claim 5 , the stirrer further comprising a mount for mounting the motor, the mount comprising the means for counterbalancing.  
     
     
         7 . The modular reactor system of  claim 6 , wherein the means for counterbalancing comprises at least one counterbalance arm.  
     
     
         8 . The modular reactor system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one counterbalance arm is movable relative to the mount.  
     
     
         9 . The modular reactor system of  claim 6  wherein the means for counterbalancing further comprises the motor, such that counterbalancing is provided by positioning the motor within the mount.  
     
     
         10 . The modular reactor system of  claim 1 , wherein the motor shaft is operably engagable with a stir shaft to form a universal joint.  
     
     
         11 . The modular reactor system of  claim 10 , wherein the motor shaft comprises a telescoping portion.  
     
     
         12 . The modular reactor system of  claim 11 , wherein the stir shaft is sized so as to be insertable through a lid port on a reactor vessel.  
     
     
         13 . A modular reactor system comprising, 
 a fixed backplane;    motor movably coupled to the backplane;    a motor shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is fixedly coupled to the motor;    a reactor module having an interior wall that is configured to be removably engaged with the backplane;    a lid coupled to the interior wall, wherein the interior wall and the lid define a reactor chamber, the lid has a port that is in fluid communication with the reactor chamber, and the port has an inner dimension;    a stirrer shaft extending through the port and having a first end positioned inside the reactor chamber and a second end positioned outside the chamber; and    a stirring propeller coupled to the first end of the stirrer shaft;    wherein the second end of the stirrer shaft is configured to be removably coupled to the second end of the motor shaft as the reactor module is engaged to the backplane.    
     
     
         14 . The modular reactor system of  claim 13 , wherein the motor is coupled to a first end of a motor mount movable by rotation about an axis, and the backplane is coupled to a second end of the motor mount, such that the motor is movable about the axis with respect to the backplane.  
     
     
         15 . The modular reactor system of  claim 14 , wherein the motor mount comprises a counterbalance movable by rotation about the axis to balance the motor with respect to the backplane.  
     
     
         16 . The modular reactor system of  claim 14 , wherein the motor mount is further movable by rotation about a second axis, such that the motor is movable about the second axis with respect to the backplane.  
     
     
         17 . The modular reactor system of  claim 13 , wherein the port has an inner diameter, and the stirrer shaft has an outer diameter that is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the port.  
     
     
         18 . The modular reactor system of  claim 13 , wherein the stirring propeller and the stirrer shaft are fabricated as an integral unit.  
     
     
         19 . The modular reactor system of  claim 13 , wherein the motor shaft comprises a first section coupled to the motor, and a second section slidably coupled to the first section and slidably engagable with the second end of the stirrer shaft.  
     
     
         20 . The modular reactor system of  claim 13 , wherein the reactor module comprises an exterior wall coupled to and forming an anular region with the interior wall.  
     
     
         21 . The modular reactor system of  claim 20 , wherein the exterior wall has an inlet port in fluid communication with the anular region.  
     
     
         22 . The modular reactor system of  claim 21 , wherein the exterior wall has an outlet port in fluid communication with the anular region and.  
     
     
         23 . The modular reactor system of  claim 22 , wherein the backplane comprises an inlet port that is configured to be removably coupled to the outlet port of the of the exterior wall of the reactor module as the reactor module is engaged to the backplane.  
     
     
         24 . The modular reactor system of  claim 23 , wherein the backplane comprises an outlet port that is configured to be removably coupled to the inlet port of the of the exterior wall of the reactor module as the reactor module is engaged to the backplane.  
     
     
         25 . The modular reactor system of  claim 21 , wherein the backplane comprises an outlet port that is configured to be removably coupled to the inlet port of the of the exterior wall of the reactor module as the reactor module is engaged to the backplane.