Automated synthesizing apparatus

Claim 1

A chemical reaction unit, comprising: a supply unit having a plurality of reservoirs for containing raw material, reagents and solvents, liquid metering devices for measuring a quantity of the raw material, reagents and solvents, said liquid metering devices having liquid sensors for sensing a predetermined quantity of the raw material, reagents and solvents, fluid flow lines extending from said liquid metering devices for delivery of the raw material, reagents and solvents, and a plurality of solenoid valves in said fluid flow lines for selective opening and closing thereof; a plurality of concentrating and reaction vessels, said vessels being fluidly connected to said fluid flow lines of said supply unit for receiving raw material, reagents and solvents therefrom, said vessels having a double-walled structure such that each of said vessels have an interior space and an annular space surrounding said interior space; a concentration sensor for detecting the presence or absence of vapor in each of said concentrating and reaction vessel mounted on each said concentrating and reaction vessel; a heating and cooling medium circulation unit for circulating a heat exchange medium to and from said annular spaces of said concentrating and reaction vessels; a computer control means connected to and for controlling each of said units, said sensors and said solenoid valves; a transfer means for fluidly interconnecting and selectively transferring fluids back and forth between said plurality of concentrating and reaction vessels, said transfer means comprising fluid flowlines and solenoid valves in said fluid flowlines connected to said computer control means; and a separating means for receiving liquids from said concentrating and reaction vessels and separating the received liquids, and at least one drying tube, connected with said separating means, defining a means for drying liquids separated in said separating means and returning the liquids to said concentrating and reaction vessels, wherein said transfer means fluidly interconnects said separating means and said at least one drying tube with said concentrating and reaction vessels for selectively transporting fluids from said concentrating and reaction vessels to said separating means and from said at least one drying tube to said concentrating and reaction vessels.