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 rated for combined pressure and vacuum operation

Pressure and Vacuum in Laboratory Glass Reactors: How to Specify the Operating Window Before You Order

Volume and temperature do not specify a laboratory glass reactor. State the complete operating window first — normal and maximum...

2026.08.23 - 19:29 read

Custom Reactor Design

PAT-ready glass reactor with ports for inline process analytical probes

Designing PAT-Ready Glass Reactors: What Process Chemists Must Specify Before the Vessel Is Built

PAT-readiness must be designed before a glass vessel is built, because probe ports and their geometry cannot simply be relocated...

2026.08.05 - 9:02 read

Automation & Digital Pharmaceutical & GMP

GMP-compliant glass reactor system for pharmaceutical manufacturing

Specifying a GMP-Compliant Glass Reactor: An Engineer’s Framework

A GMP-compliant reactor is not a standalone label; it is equipment designed, documented, qualified, and maintained to support a validated...

2026.07.21 - 9:02 read

Pharmaceutical & GMP

Jacketed glass reactor with emergency cooling circuit for exothermic reactions

Thermal Safety by Design: How Jacket Geometry and Emergency Cooling Circuits Should Be Specified for Exothermic Scale-Up in Glass Reactors

At pilot scale, an exothermic reaction can produce heat faster than a reactor can remove it, because reaction heat grows...

2026.07.14 - 9:14 read

Jacketed & Thermal Design

Distillation train designed for laboratory solvent recovery

Lab-Scale Distillation for Solvent Recovery: Designing a Recovery Train That Delivers Reusable Solvent

A solvent-recovery train should be specified from the quality the recovered solvent must meet for reuse. Separation method, vacuum and...

2026.07.06 - 9:14 read

Separation & Solvent Recovery

Low-temperature glass reactor setup used for process development

Low-Temperature Glass Reactor Setups for Process Development

Low-temperature reactor performance depends on the complete setup, including vessel design, cooling source, insulation, stirring, sensor placement, and dosing path....

2026.06.30 - 9:48 read

Jacketed & Thermal Design

Reflux and condenser configuration fitted to a laboratory glass reactor

How to Specify Reflux and Condenser Setups for Laboratory Glass Reactors

Reflux looks simple on a bench: heat the reaction, condense the vapour, return the condensate to the vessel. In process...

2026.06.23 - 13:28 read

Separation & Solvent Recovery

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