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Research Equipment Design

Reynolds & Bauhm translates university research models, CFD simulations, and kinetic equations into precision-engineered water treatment equipment. Every dimension traceable to a research parameter.

Since 2016
Global Delivery
Performance Guaranteed

From Peer-Reviewed Paper to Fabrication Drawing

A rigorous six-stage process that preserves every calculated parameter from your research through to the final equipment specification.

1. Research Review

We study your published papers, thesis chapters, or technical reports. Our engineers identify the governing equations, boundary conditions, dimensionless groups, and target performance metrics that define your process.

2. Parameter Extraction

Reaction rate constants, mass transfer coefficients, settling velocities, shear limits, and residence time distributions are extracted and tabulated as the governing design requirements for your equipment.

3. Geometry Synthesis

We convert your parameters into physical dimensions. Channel widths from Reynolds numbers. Vessel heights from settling theory. Surface areas from mass transfer correlations. Every number has a research origin.

4. Material Selection

Chemical compatibility analysis against your process fluids. Corrosion rate predictions from published data. Material certification for traceability. Selected to preserve experimental integrity, not to reduce cost.

5. CFD Verification

Where your research includes CFD models, we run parallel simulations of our proposed geometry to verify that velocity profiles, turbulence intensity, and residence time distributions match your predictions.

6. Design Validation

Joint review with your research team. You verify that every critical dimension, instrumentation point, and sampling port preserves the experimental protocol your research demands.

What We Design from Research

Any water or wastewater treatment unit that can be described by equations can be built to match them. These are the research equipment categories we translate most frequently.

Reactor Vessels

Continuously stirred tank reactors, plug flow reactors, sequencing batch reactors, and baffled contact tanks dimensioned from your kinetic models and mixing correlations.

Separation Units

Clarifiers, settlers, dissolved air flotation units, and membrane housings designed from your settling velocity data, bubble size distributions, or flux equations.

Mass Transfer Equipment

Air dissolution systems, stripping columns, absorption towers, and aeration basins sized from your mass transfer coefficient correlations and Henry's law constants.

Biological Process Units

MBBR carriers, biofilm reactors, anaerobic digesters, and activated sludge basins designed from your Monod kinetics, yield coefficients, and specific growth rate data.

Engineering design workstation with CAD software showing water treatment vessel

Research-Grade Documentation Package

Every research equipment order includes comprehensive technical documentation to support your publications, grant reports, and ethics submissions.

Design Basis Report

A complete technical report tracing every dimension, material choice, and instrumentation specification back to the research parameter that generated it. Includes full calculation references and assumption registers.

Material Certifications

Mill certificates for all pressure-retaining materials. Chemical composition analysis, mechanical test reports, and corrosion resistance data for your safety office and publication methods sections.

Performance Predictions

Calculated performance curves for your design influent range. Predicted removal efficiencies, hydraulic profiles, and energy consumption based on your research parameters and our engineering models.

Operation Manual

Research-specific operation and maintenance manual written for laboratory technical staff. Includes calibration procedures, sampling protocols, and troubleshooting guidance aligned with your experimental design.

Process Fundamentals & Design

This treatment stage is engineered to achieve specific contaminant removal targets while providing stable, predictable performance across variable inlet conditions. Design parameters are calculated from wastewater characterisation data, regulatory requirements, and site-specific constraints including footprint, energy availability, and operator capability.

Process Optimisation

Design validated by CFD modelling and pilot testing to confirm performance guarantees.

Mechanical Reliability

Equipment selected for 20-year design life with minimal wearing parts and easy access.

Chemical Efficiency

Automated dosing and feedback control minimise reagent consumption and sludge production.

Compliance Assurance

Online monitoring and data logging demonstrate continuous consent compliance.

Design Parameters

Design Flow10 – 5,000 m³/h (application specific)
Inlet VariabilityDesigned for 1:3 peak-to-average flow ratio
Removal Efficiency85 – 99% depending on target contaminant
Hydraulic RetentionCalculated from kinetic constants and safety factors
Power Consumption0.5 – 5.0 kWh/100 m³ (process dependent)
Chemical DoseAuto-controlled based on online analysers
Sludge Production0.2 – 1.5 kg DS/kg contaminant removed
MaterialsSS304, SS316L, or carbon steel with coating

Integration with Treatment Train

No treatment stage operates in isolation. This process is designed to receive conditioned influent from upstream stages and deliver effluent quality suitable for downstream processes. Hydraulic and organic loading rates are balanced across the complete treatment train to prevent bottlenecking and ensure overall plant efficiency. Our engineers model the complete flowsheet to optimise Capital expenditure and Operating expenditure across the plant lifecycle.

Upstream Protection

Screening, equalisation, and pre-treatment protect this stage from damage and overload.

Downstream Conditioning

Effluent quality ensures downstream biology, filtration, or disinfection performs optimally.

Recycle Streams

Reject streams, filtrate, and centrate are routed back to appropriate upstream points.

Related Pages & Equipment

Equipment Catalogue

Browse our full range of water treatment equipment and systems.

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DAF Systems

Dissolved air flotation for solids and oil separation.

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Lamella Clarifiers

High-rate settling for primary and secondary clarification.

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Biological Treatment

Activated sludge, MBBR, and SBR systems for organic removal.

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Sludge Dewatering

Belt press, centrifuge, and screw press dewatering.

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Chemical Dosing

Automated coagulant, flocculant, and pH correction systems.

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Pilot Testing

Validate process performance with on-site pilot trials.

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Speak to Our Engineers

Request a consultation or quotation for your project.

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Research Equipment Design Standards

Pressure EquipmentBS EN 13445 (unfired pressure vessels) and ASME VIII Div 1 for reactor vessels
Electrical SafetyBS EN 61010-1 for laboratory electrical equipment and control panels
Materials Certification3.1 or 3.2 mill certificates for SS316L, duplex, and exotic alloy construction
Welding QualificationBS EN ISO 9606 welder qualification and BS EN 15614 WPS/PQR documentation
Surface FinishRa 0.8 µm or better for hygienic applications; pickle and passivate per ASTM A380
Leak TestingHelium leak testing to 10^-9 mbar·l/s for vacuum and high-purity systems
Pressure TestingHydrostatic to 1.5x design pressure or pneumatic to 1.1x with ASME compliance
CalibrationUKAS-traceable instrument calibration certificates for all sensors and transmitters

Recent Research Equipment Projects

Photocatalytic Reactor

316L stainless steel annular reactor with quartz window, UV-C LED array, and online TOC analyser for university advanced oxidation research. Delivered with full IQ/OQ documentation.

Membrane Test Rig

Cross-flow flat-sheet membrane test cell with 0.5-40 bar TMP control, temperature regulation to ±0.20.5°C, and automated flux decline measurement for fouling studies.

Hydrothermal Reactor

High-pressure batch reactor rated to 300 bar and 450°C with Inconel 625 construction, magnetic drive stirrer, and rupture disc protection for supercritical water research.

AnMBR Pilot System

5 L/day anaerobic membrane bioreactor with temperature-controlled digester, biogas measurement, and automated permeate extraction for university wastewater research.

Research Equipment Compliance & Certification

CE Marking

Full technical file compilation for pressure equipment, machinery, and electrical equipment directives. Declaration of conformity issued by our chartered engineers.

PUWER Assessment

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations compliance with hazard identification, risk scoring, and safe operating procedures for university workshops.

ATEX Evaluation

Explosion protection documentation for research involving flammable gases, solvents, or dusts. Zone classification and equipment category selection.

ISO 9001 Traceability

Full material and manufacturing traceability with material certificates, weld records, inspection reports, and test certificates compiled in quality dossiers.

Start Your Research Equipment Design

Share your research objectives with our engineering team. We will review your theoretical models and propose a design that preserves every calculated parameter through to fabrication.

Industries We Serve

Our expertise spans multiple industries with sector-specific water treatment solutions.