Those in the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, beverages, oil and gas, cosmetics or petrochemical industry know the importance of purchasing safe and durable chemical equipment and supplies. Whether purchasing equipment, supplies or the chemicals themselves, they can be bought in bulk.

The pricing and costs of chemical equipment and supplies depends on a variety of factors. Chemical suppliers price the chemicals according to weight. The equipment that handles and stores these chemicals is priced according to its composite material as well as its storage capacity. Custom equipment, such as a chemical reactor, is priced according to so many factors that specific cost estimates can only be obtained via personal contact with a sales associate. This article will summarize pricing with regard to the following three chemical equipment and supply categories.

1. Buy chemistry supplies like compounds and solutions.

2. Buy chemical equipment for handling and storage.

3. Consider custom chemical equipment and supplies if standard products do not meet your application needs.

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Compare chemical supply store prices for compounds and solutions

Chemical solutions and compounds can be sold by the pound and in bulk. The price range is widely varying, with some chemicals costing less than 50 cents per pound and others more than $1.50. For others you must contact the supplier directly for pricing information. Bulk purchases are sold by the drum or tote.

I recommend: New Life Chemical and Equipment sells a variety of chemicals by the drum or tote in large quantities. Pricing details are listed on a spreadsheet. Pressure Chemical sells similar chemicals, but will not reveal pricing on its website.

Purchase chemical lab equipment for handling and storage

When it comes to handling hazardous chemicals, the correct lab equipment is critical. Many who routinely work with chemicals rely on poly-coated glass bottles, which absorb some of the shock in an accident by reducing the chance of shattering. Poly-coated glass bottles vary in price according to size and the chemicals they are designed to hold. When the chemicals are not nearly as dangerous, it's safe to handle them in non-coated glass beakers and cylinders that are much less expensive than their poly-coated counterparts.

I recommend: VWR International sells poly-coated glass bottles ranging in size from 500 grams to four liters. A smaller bottle can be purchased for less than $100, with larger bottles for more than $600 per caseload. Hi Valley Chemical carries inventory of glassware including cylinders, beakers and funnels. Depending on size, beakers generally cost less than $10 each, funnels and cylinders less than $50.

Search for an online chemical store to custom make items to meet your application needs

Depending on the size you require, the style and pressure rating you are looking for, it may be necessary to customize any reactor your business purchases. If you can't find what you need on the market, have it made to suit your needs.

I recommend: While Custom Chemical Equipment (CEMCO) offers standard chemical equipment, they also design custom reactors and claim to do so at a reasonable price. In addition to selling agitators, compressors and other process equipment, Pressure Products also custom designs stirred reactors and non-stirred pressure vessels ranging in size from 10 mL to 4000 L and pressure ratings to 150,000 psi. They manufacture tubular, single-ended and double-ended styles. Like Custom Chemical, they must be contacted to provide a quote.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are looking to purchase chemical equipment, consider two ways to economize. Earn money by locating a supplier to purchase any chemical equipment you no longer need. Save money by purchasing used chemical process equipment and supplies.

Chemical equipment and supplies mainly come in two forms - industrial equipment and chemical laboratory equipments. Chemical manufacturers use industrial chemical equipment like heat exchangers, reactors, chemical store tanks, condensers and dispensers. Other category of chemical equipment is chemical lab equipment like thermometers, microscope, lab burners and calorimeters, which have more sophisticated applications.

Some of the industries that use chemical equipment are biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, beverages, oil and gas, cosmetics and petrochemicals. Chemical supply store also provide controlling devices and accessories of the chemical equipment that are equally important for the efficient and safe operations.

Some important parameters you must consider before you buy chemical equipment and supplies are:

1. Type of application of the chemical equipment
2. Type of chemicals and the chemical process
3. Features of the chemical equipment: capacity, consumption and useful life
4. Requirement of controlling devices
5. Calibration and repair services required for efficient operations of the chemical equipment

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Buy chemical equipment supplies from reputable chemical equipment manufacturers

Different manufacturers specialize in the production of different chemical equipment. Some equipment is made of tougher metals and come with special glass lining for conducting particular tests that can prove corrosive.

I recommend: Chemical Manufacturing Supply, Inc. manufactures special glass-lined steel chemical equipment. It is also a supplier of chemical equipment made of Type I and II Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel. Buflovak is a manufacturer of standard and custom made chemical plant equipment and machinery.

Buy chemical lab equipment from chemical equipment manufacturers

The chemical lab equipments are sophisticated and often fragile. Hence, the chemical equipment manufacturers enclose a handling guide along with their product to help the user.

I recommend: Phoenix Equipment Inc. manufacturers chemical lab equipments like flow meters, mixers, microscopes and blenders. Fisher Scientific International is a supplier of scientific equipments like Mixers, Gel Dryers and Transilluminators.

Buy custom chemical equipment

If standard products available on the market do not meet your needs, go to custom or specialty chemical equipment manufacturers that offer chemical equipments according to your application needs.

I recommend: United Industries Group manufacturers bolted steel tanks made of a variety of materials like stainless steel, epoxy and black metal with an ultra protection coating on the inside of the chemical equipments. Precision Custom Components specializes in manufacturing radioactive metal containers and other chemical process equipments.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Always specify to the chemical equipment suppliers if you need a special protection coat in your chemical equipments.
• •  Never accept defective chemical lab equipments from even the most reputable brands. Using non-precise lab equipments can be risky and should be immediately returned.
• •  If you are purchasing chemical equipment from any online chemical store or manufacturer, verify whether your selected supplier holds an American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) certification.

Chemical equipment and chemical supplies require training and education to use properly and safely. Failure to take the proper safety precautions can lead to not only messes, but potential exposure to hazardous materials.

There are many ways to learn more about how to properly handle chemical equipment and supplies. Reading, taking and attending courses, and even furthering your education in the chemical industry can ensure you stay safe and make you more knowledgeable. Consider the following ways to further your chemical equipment and supplies education and training:

1. Take classes offered by the associations that help establish standards for chemical equipment and supplies.

2. Get educated on chemical hazards and how to handle them should chem equipment malfunctions occur.

3. Pursue a degree in Chemical Technology.

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Receive training from associations that establish standards for chemical equipment and supplies

Their are several associations and organizations that establish standards for safety, manufacturing, production and the use of chemical supplies and equipment. Chemical equipment manufacturers and chemical suppliers are bound to these standards and regulations. Many of these associations offer training on handling materials and supplies.

I recommend: The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), an organization that develops material standards and testing methods, offers various training courses listed according to subject. Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a product compliance organization, offers a workshop entitled "Test, Measurement and Laboratory Use Equipment: Designing for Compliance to UL 61010-1" for those professionals who work with laboratory equipment and/or test and measuring equipment.

Take a course on handling chemical equipment and supplies accidents

Handling chemical equipment and supplies is not without risk. Many times the chemicals you are working with are toxic or hazardous and the containers that hold them are fragile. Be sure to receive training on what to do should an emergency or accident occur.

I recommend: Lab Safety Supply has 12 instructional DVDs and videos dealing with chemical hazard response. The OSHA Institute of America offers Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER) and hazardous material (HAZMAT) online training programs.

Become an expert in chemical equipment and supplies with a degree in Chemical Technology

Graduates of a chemical technology program should qualify as entry-level chemical laboratory technicians or even research assistants. Chemical technology students are well-equipped to prepare chemical solutions, conduct sampling and tests using chemical equipment and supplies.

I recommend: The Chemical Technology program at Cape Fear Community College can be completed in two years and earns you an Associate in Applied Science degree. Marian College's Chemical Technology program also takes two years, with graduates earning an Associate in Science degree.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with a chemical supply store or online chemical store to see if they keep selection and maintenance guides on hand for chemical lab equipment and supplies. Reading over these materials can help you better understand details regarding any specific equipment you are preparing to use.

When working with chemicals, there are a number of equipment pieces that are necessary for carrying out experiments or for creating new products. Understanding what types of equipment you need and when is helpful for planning your budget. Large equipment, such as a chemical mixer or a chemical heat exchanger can be costly, but are usually a one-time purchase. Smaller equipment, such as poly-coated glass bottles are also necessary for your work, but may require more frequent replacements. Learn the following key terms to get started.

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Chemical mixer or agitator

Chemical mixers, sometimes called agitators are large vats that you can use for mixing two or more chemicals together. Inside, there are blades that spin around, mixing the chemicals.

I recommend: See examples of chemical mixers at Dynamix Agitators. Scroll down to see that blades that are used for mixing.

Single and double drum dryers

Single and double drum dryers are used to turn liquid substances into solids. A single drum dryer can turn viscous liquids into a dry powder. Double drum dryers are primarily used for foods, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The double drum dryer is more commonly used.

I recommend: Visit Bufflovak to see images of a single drum dryer and a double drum dryer and to learn more about their uses.

Poly-coated glass bottles

Glass bottles are often used with chemical and scientific companies, as they are easy and washable. However, glass bottles may shatter and break. Poly-coated glass bottles are the solution. They have a special coating that makes them stronger, resulting in less breaks.

I recommend: See the many different types of poly-coated glass bottles at VWR International.

Magnetic mixers

Magnetic mixers use the power of magnets to power the blades that mix chemicals. They are ideal for companies that are concerned about contamination when mixing the chemicals, as they help to prevent contamination.

I recommend: See pictures and learn more about magnetic mixers at Dyna/Mag Magnetic Mixers.

Chemical storage tanks

Chemical storage tanks are used to store chemical solutions when they are not being used. While some companies can make do with a small gallon jug, others need large storage capabilities. Chemical storage tanks work well for these companies.

I recommend: Bailiff Enterprises explains their chemical storage tanks.

Heat exchanger

Heat exchangers are primarily used for sterilization. They work by moving the heat from one place to another.

I recommend: Learn more about how heat exchangers work from a report at Rensslear Polytechnic Institute.