Premium
Process modelling and optimization of styrene polymerization
Author(s) -
Gao J.,
Hungenberg K.D.,
Penlidis A.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.200450239
Subject(s) - polystyrene , bifunctional , styrene , polymerization , materials science , process (computing) , process engineering , polymer chemistry , computer science , copolymer , polymer , chemistry , catalysis , organic chemistry , composite material , engineering , operating system
Polystyrene is a common commodity with thin margin, it is desirable for industry to reduce the production cost by optimizing the process and producing polystyrene with desired properties. This paper has reviewed several commonly used process optimization policies from the literature. The kinetics of styrene polymerization with mono‐ or bifunctional initiator has also be described. It has been demonstrated that by using a temperature profile combined with selective mono‐ or bifunctional initiators, one can decrease bach time while still maintaining the desired molecular weight averages. The recently developed new tetra‐functional initiator by Elf‐Atochem provides a new tool for controlling/optimization purposes. Industrial process configurations of polystyrene production has also be discussed.