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Continuous free radical polymerization in disperse systems
Author(s) -
Reichert K. H.,
Moritz H. U.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
makromolekulare chemie. macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 0258-0322
DOI - 10.1002/masy.19870100127
Subject(s) - vinyl acetate , polymerization , residence time distribution , laminar flow , radical polymerization , molar mass distribution , materials science , laminar flow reactor , plug flow reactor model , kinetic chain length , continuous reactor , continuous stirred tank reactor , polymer , chemical engineering , chemistry , polymer chemistry , thermodynamics , organic chemistry , copolymer , composite material , inclusion (mineral) , mineralogy , physics , catalysis , open channel flow , turbulence , engineering
Continuous free radical polymerization in disperse systems was performed in a laminar stirred tubular reactor which is a novel reactor type with narrow residence time distribution in the laminar flow regime. The residence time distribution of such a reactor can be modelled by very simple dimensionless equations containing the axial and radial Reynolds numbers of the reactor at operating conditions. In such a reactor of pilot plant scale the continuous free radical polymerization of acrylamide in emulsion and of vinyl acetate in suspension was studied with respect to conversion and performance of reactor. For modelling the conversion of polymerization the segregation and the dispersion model were used and the results compared with experimental data. Both are suitable models for modelling the upper and lower limit of conversion of micro or macro mixed polymerizations. The vinyl acetate polymerization was also investigated with respect to the breadth of the molecular weight distribution of the polymer formed in batch, continuous segregated, and continuous micro mixed reactors. Models were developed employing a complex kinetic scheme including transfer reaction to polymer and terminal double bond polymerization. Simulation results showed that the molecular weight distribution order in the different reactor types is not fixed, but a function of reactant concentrations and importance of chain branching. The simulations are compared with experimental data.