RX

Multipurpose Reactors

A series of high-efficiency, multi-functional industrial reactors designed to perform the most common post-extraction steps including winterization and crystallization.

Available Models

Applications

One Year Warranty

Installation and Training Support

Engineered & Built in the USA

Product Description

Aptia Engineering offers premium Multipurpose Reactors to enhance the clarity, purity, potency, and marketability of final botanical extract products. Specially designed for industrial botanical extraction operations, the RX reactors are ideal for a range of sanitary processes including winterization, crystallization, decarboxylation and degumming.

Every reactor is constructed with high quality stainless steel, and comes equipped with an industrial duty agitator driven by a C1D1 group D explosion proof motor, an efficient heat transfer dimple jacket, and multiple sight glasses for easy process observation.

Available in five standard sizes from 15 to 175 gallons, Aptia’s reactors can be configured to accommodate diverse processing requirements. Multiple reactors can be combined to scale and expedite your process.

Features

Efficient heat transfer jacket provides optimal thermal efficiency and improved operator safety.
Tank mounted agitator with C1D1 group D explosion proof motor.
Non-explosion proof control panel which can be mounted outside the C1D2 zone.
Premium quality stainless steel tank and frame.
A variety of flammable fluid transfer, temperature control, and inert gas handling equipment can be supplied with each process system to accommodate unique process optimization.

Multipurpose Reactor Application Examples

The Multipurpose Reactors are specifically engineered for efficient extract refining operations. They can be configured to perform various refining processes such as winterization, crystallization, decarboxylation and degumming providing your operation with a valuable multitool.

Winterization and Crystallization are two of the most common processes that are performed using Aptia’s RX Multipurpose Reactors:

Extract Winterization

using the RX Reactor

Winterization is a common extract refining process in which long-chain plant waxes and fats are separated from hemp oil. By chilling extract that has been dissolved in a solvent such as ethanol, these undesirable compounds can be forced out of solution and filtered away. If these materials are not removed, the final appearance and taste of extract may be negatively impacted.

Key Features for Winterization

Reactor jacketing provides extremely efficient heat transfer, allowing solutions to be chilled in much less time than conventional methods
Explosion proof mixers ensure that the solution is evenly chilled and reduce cooling time
Bottom drain allows for an easy, sealed transfer to a filtration system to remove the fats and waxes
Large manways provide access to the reactors for cleaning and CIP can be installed for even easier cleaning
Consistent temperature and agitation setpoints yield higher quality end products and greater batch consistency
Bulk processing offers higher production capacity and reduced labor requirements
Fully contained processing decreases fire risk and employee exposure to solvents
Elimination of manual transfers and handling prevents spillage and product loss
Sealed processing dramatically reduces the risk of product contamination

Sample Winterization Process
in the RX Multipurpose Reactor

1. Incorporation – Rapid heating, precise temperature control and vigorous agitation within the reactor ensure that mixing the ethanol and extract is completed in record time.

2. Cooling – After mixing, the process can be immediately switched to cooling, and the tank is rapidly cooled to a low temperature setpoint.

3. Low Temperature Chilling – From there if desired, the process can be further chilled. Liquid nitrogen, dry ice, or low temperature refrigeration system can drive temperatures that satisfy the most stringent process requirements and ensure complete separation of fats and waxes.

4. Filtration – The solidified fats and waxes are then easily separated from the refined extract in a filtration system such as the Aptia Dynamic Winterization Filter (DWF).

CBD Crystallization

using the RX Reactor

Crystallization is a purification step used to isolate CBD from hemp extract to achieve nearly 100% purity. Temperature is the primary mechanism driving this process.

The RX reactor can be used as a heating vessel to incorporate the CBD into an alkane solvent. In the same reactor, the mixture can then be cooled to force crystallization. Agitation during both heating and cooling stages increases the speed of the reaction and ensures a consistent and reliable high-purity final product.

Key Features for Crystallization

All reactors are jacketed and provide excellent heat transfer. This allows solutions to be chilled in much less time than conventional methods
Tank mounted, explosion proof mixers ensure that the solution is evenly chilled and decreases cooling time
Bottom drain allows easy transfer to a filtration system to remove the suspended CBD crystals
Large manways provide access to the reactors for cleaning and CIP can be installed for even easier cleaning
Consistent temperature and agitation setpoints yield higher quality end products and greater batch consistency
Bulk processing offers higher production capacity and reduced labor requirements
Fully contained processing decreases fire risk and employee exposure to solvents
Elimination of manual transfers and handling prevents spillage and product loss
Sealed processing dramatically reduces the risk of product contamination

Sample Crystallization Process
in the RX Multipurpose Reactor

1. Incorporation – The reactor’s precise temperature and agitation control are applied to rapidly dissolve the extract in the solvent

2. Cooling – Agitation and recirculated liquid cooling rapidly and evenly cool the tank to low temperatures.

3. Low Temperature Chilling – The product can optionally be further chilled with liquid nitrogen or a low temperature refrigeration unit

4. Collect – Filter and separate the suspended CBD crystals from the solvent.

Compare Models

R15

Key Features

Reactor Volume: 15 Gallons
Agitator: Top Mounted, driven by C1D1 Group D 1-HP explosion proof motor
Manway: Fully removable for easy cleaning. Optional lifting arm to simplify removing the agitator motor.
Control Panel: Indicates temperature and controls agitator speed. Mount control panel outside of the classified area
Optional Lifting Arm: Yes
System Dimensions: 30″ L x 31″ W x 73.5″ H – (height with lifting arm 98.5″)

R35

Key Features

Reactor Volume: 35 Gallons
Agitator: Tank Mounted, driven by C1D1 Group D 1-HP explosion proof motor
Manway: Fully removable for easy cleaning.
Control Panel: Indicates temperature and controls agitator speed. Mount control panel outside of the classified area
Optional Lifting Arm: No
System Dimensions: 51.5″ L x 30.5″ W x 65″ H

R60

Key Features

Reactor Volume: 60 Gallons
Agitator: Top Mounted, driven by C1D1 Group D 1-HP explosion proof motor
Manway: Fully removable for easy cleaning. Optional lifting arm to simplify removing the agitator motor.
Control Panel: Indicates temperature and controls agitator speed. Mount control panel outside of the classified area
Optional Lifting Arm: Yes
System Dimensions: 36″ L x 40″ W x 84.5″ H – (height with lifting arm 104″)

R110

Key Features

Reactor Volume: 110 Gallons
Agitator: Top Mounted, driven by C1D1 Group D 1-HP explosion proof motor
Manway: Fully removable for easy cleaning. Optional lifting arm to simplify removing the agitator motor.
Control Panel: Indicates temperature and controls agitator speed. Mount control panel outside of the classified area
Optional Lifting Arm: Yes
System Dimensions: 41″ L x 41″ W x 94″ H – (height with lifting arm 116″)

R175

Key Features

Reactor Volume: 175 Gallons
Agitator: Top Mounted, driven by C1D1 Group D 1-HP explosion proof motor
Manway: Fully removable for easy cleaning. Optional lifting arm to simplify removing the agitator motor.
Control Panel: Indicates temperature and controls agitator speed. Mount control panel outside of the classified area
Optional Lifting Arm: Yes
System Dimensions: 55″ L x 49.5″ W x 89″ H – (height with lifting arm 106″)

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