Engineering English
Reactor
Chemical Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: A vessel or piece of equipment designed to contain and control a chemical reaction under specified conditions of temperature, pressure, and mixing. Its geometry and internals determine contact time and heat transfer.
Example in context
“The stirred reactor was fitted with an internal cooling coil because the exothermic step released more heat than the jacket could remove.”
“Ekzotermik basamak ceketin uzaklaştırabileceğinden fazla ısı açığa çıkardığı için karıştırmalı reaktöre iç soğutma serpantini takıldı.”
Where engineers use it
The reactor is the heart of a chemical plant and appears on every process flow diagram. Engineers select its type and volume, specify agitation and heat transfer surfaces, and set control loops to keep the reaction safe and productive.
Synonyms: reaction vessel
Practice: can you use “Reactor” at work?
You are shown two process flow diagrams for the same reaction, one with a tank reactor and one with a tubular reactor. Compare how each reactor controls temperature and contact time.
Show a model answer
“The reaction takes place inside a jacketed stainless steel reactor.”
“Reactor” in 21 languages
| English | Reactor |
|---|---|
| Turkish | Reaktör |
| French | Réacteur |
| German | Reaktor |
| Spanish | Reactor |
| Chinese | 反应器 |
| Arabic | مفاعل |
| Portuguese | Reator |
| Russian | Реактор |
| Japanese | 反応器 |
| Italian | Reattore |
| Vietnamese | Thiết bị phản ứng |
| Hindi | रिएक्टर |
| Thai | เครื่องปฏิกรณ์ |
| Indonesian | Reaktor |
| Korean | 반응기 |
| Bengali | রিঅ্যাক্টর |
| Dutch | Reactor |
| Swedish | Reaktor |
| Finnish | Reaktori |
| Ukrainian | Реактор |
Frequently asked questions
What does Reactor mean in engineering?
A vessel or piece of equipment designed to contain and control a chemical reaction under specified conditions of temperature, pressure, and mixing. Its geometry and internals determine contact time and heat transfer. In Chemical Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Reactor?
Reactor is pronounced /riˈæktər/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Reactor used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “The stirred reactor was fitted with an internal cooling coil because the exothermic step released more heat than the jacket could remove.”
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