Hi Jeff,

I've purchased and used pressure bombs. The models I've used are biggerÉ 1L vessels with pressure gauge and temp probe. However, I do know that Parr offers PTFE lined small vessels with Safety Blow-Off that can be used as hydrothermal reactors.

https://www.parrinst.com/products/sample-preparation/

https://www.parrinst.com/download/37527/

Here's what I learned from using the 1L capacityÉ

• It is safer to spend the extra money and go for a model with a Pressure Gauge.
• `This will help you ensure thatÉ
• you don't over pressurize the system
• you don't open the system before it is completely cooled
• A temperature probe is nice to have.
• If you intend to heat the system, your heat source should have ramp control and temperature readout. If not, then the temp probe basically becomes required.
• For Teflon lined units, you want to keep your system below the temp/pressure where Teflon softens.
• Don't use materials that are known to be incompatible with the vessel's interior (goes without saying, but you'd be surprised)
• Look around the area for any other pieces of equipment that could cause a larger combined hazard if the vessel fails.
• i.e. if your pressure vessel has water in it, don't use an oil bath as your heat source (you'd be surprised here too)
• Before each use, inspect
• the seals for any signs of hardening, cracking, or softening.
• If PTFE lined, inspect that too.
• the fasteners for any signs of cracking or elongation.
• Do not over torque it as this can damage the lip seals and cause elongation (weakening) of the fasteners
• Ensure the vessel is back to room temperature before opening.
• This is where the temperature probe comes in really handy.
• Also, PTFE is a plastic and as such acts as a thermal barrier. Your metal outer may be cool to the touch, but the inside can still be hotter that you'd think.
• In the past I've routinely let the vessel cool down overnight and also ensured the pressure gauge was back to "0" before opening.
• For shielding, we used a latched oven. That particular oven had ports we could use to monitor the bomb. We added a containment pan at the bottom of the oven just incase of spillage.
• Cooling and heating rates should always follow the manufacturer's recommendationsÉ these are tied to the metal alloys used, the metal thickness, and seal design.
• Always have a lab buddy monitoring from a safe distance when opening the unitÉ just in case it goes south.