Author

David Schmidt

HWS founding family, third generation

David Schmidt belongs to the third generation of the family behind HWS Labortechnik. A grandson of the founder, he grew up close to the Mainz workshop where HWS has developed and hand-crafted borosilicate glass apparatus since 1941. Through his work with the HWS team, he helps carry the family's eight decades of accumulated experience in laboratory glass technology forward.

Laboratory glass reactor set up for crystallisation and controlled cooling

How to Choose a Laboratory Reactor Setup for Crystallization, Precipitation and Controlled Cooling Workflows

Crystallization and precipitation are often treated as chemistry problems first and equipment problems second. In practice, the reactor setup can…

2026.05.25 - 9:06 read

Pharmaceutical & GMP

Laboratory filtration unit integrated into a glass reactor workflow

When to Integrate Filtration into a Glass Reactor Workflow

Filtration should be considered with the reactor workflow when transfer loss, exposure to air or moisture, blocked filters, cleaning, containment,…

2026.05.18 - 9:35 read

Separation & Solvent Recovery

Glass reactor system being installed and configured in a laboratory

Installation and Configuration of Glass Reactor Systems

Glass reactor installation and configuration combine mechanical assembly, thermal setup, fluid connections, instrumentation calibration, and operational validation. Proper commissioning helps…

2026.02.26 - 8:52 read

Operation & Maintenance

Precision control instrumentation for a laboratory distillation process

Why Precision Control Is Important for Distillation Processes

Precision control in distillation means maintaining a reproducible reflux ratio and thermal balance throughout a separation process. Stabilizing reflux, using…

2026.02.24 - 9:04 read

Separation & Solvent Recovery

Custom-designed HWS glass reactor system for chemical synthesis

Request a Consultation for Designing a Custom Glass Reactor System for Chemical Synthesis

A custom glass reactor system is appropriate when a process requires vessel geometry, heat transfer, mixing, materials, or interfaces that…

2026.02.16 - 8:30 read

Custom Reactor Design

Jacketed laboratory glass reactor with temperature control for sensitive processes

Benefits of Using Jacketed Glass Reactors for Temperature-Sensitive Processes

A jacketed glass reactor uses a heat-transfer fluid circulating through an external thermal jacket to provide indirect, controlled heating or…

2026.02.10 - 9:10 read

Jacketed & Thermal Design

Benchtop glass reactor compared side by side with a jacketed vessel

Benchtop Glass Reactors vs. Jacketed Vessels: A Practical Comparison for Modern Chemical Engineers

Benchtop glass reactors suit development, screening, and teaching where a compact setup, visibility, and adjustable agitation and temperature are important.…

2026.02.03 - 15:32 read

Jacketed & Thermal Design

Temperature control unit regulating a laboratory glass reactor

How to Achieve Precise Temperature Control in Laboratory Glass Reactors

Precise temperature control means regulating the actual reaction temperature accurately and reproducibly under real laboratory conditions. It depends on system…

2026.01.16 - 15:40 read

Jacketed & Thermal Design

Chemical engineers installing a glass reactor in a pilot plant

Glass reactor configurations for pilot plant scale reactions

Pilot-scale reactor configuration needs to address heat- and mass-transfer bottlenecks that may not appear at bench scale. Jacket design, agitation…

2025.12.22 - 9:03 read

Pilot Plants & Scale-Up

Digital temperature controller connected to a jacketed glass reactor

How to Integrate a Glass Reactor with a Digital Temperature Controller (Without Losing Control)

A digital temperature controller works as part of a closed-loop system: the measured temperature regulates heating or cooling through the…

2025.12.19 - 9:45 read

Jacketed & Thermal Design