Case Study: THALETEC GmbH achieves improved heat transfer and pressure performance with SLM Solutions additive manufacturing

Potentials of 3D-Printing in plant and equipment

THALETEC GmbH, a specialist in glass-lined equipment for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, wanted to explore additive manufacturing for a new glass-lined high-pressure reactor. Its challenge was to create a pressure vessel that could handle up to 200 bar while also improving heat transfer, maintaining chemical resistance, and reducing weight. THALETEC worked with SLM Solutions and used the SLM®280 TWIN platform for the prototype.

Using SLM Solutions’ selective laser melting technology, THALETEC produced a reactor with an integrated temperature control channel in one piece, enabling heating and cooling directly within the reactor wall. The result was significantly improved heat transfer, higher pressure-holding capability despite thinner walls, a guaranteed non-diffusive and chemically resistant interior coating, and reduced weight for easier handling in the lab.

THALETEC GmbH