Pressurized reaction block

摘要

A reaction block assembly of reaction vessels for conducting chemical reactions under pressure. The assembly includes a heat conductive reactive block having reaction vessel receiving openings formed in the block. A heat exchanger is mounted in heat transfer engagement with some of the exterior walls of the reaction block. The heat exchangers can operate in different modes, to provide a heat differential across the reaction block. A reaction vessel is positioned in each reaction vessel receiving opening in the block. A cap is attached to each reaction vessel and a cannula opening is formed in each cap. A cannula passage is connected at one end to a cannula opening in each cap and it has a septum at the other end. A valve controls each cannula passage. An operating mechanism is provided for opening and closing each cannula passage controlling valve. The reaction block assembly may be used to determine when the reaction of a solution in a reaction vessel is completed. This is accomplished by using a calibration curve comparing the frequency of rotation of the stirring bar with the viscosity of the reaction solution in which the frequency is inversely proportional to the viscosity. The time interval at which the stir bar decouples from rotation with the driving magnet is determined. This time interval of decoupling is compared with the calibration table to determine the viscosity of the solution at the time the reaction was completed which takes place at the time the stir bar was decoupled.