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Mixing Effects in Continuous Free‐Radical Solution Copolymerization Tank Reactors: I—Characterization of Residence Time Distributions
Author(s) -
Oechsler Bruno F.,
Poblete Israel B.S.,
Melo Príamo A.,
Pinto José C.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
macromolecular reaction engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.37
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1862-8338
pISSN - 1862-832X
DOI - 10.1002/mren.201800037
Subject(s) - residence time distribution , backflow , mixing (physics) , residence time (fluid dynamics) , continuous stirred tank reactor , flow (mathematics) , mechanics , materials science , experimental data , tracer , computational fluid dynamics , thermodynamics , computer science , environmental science , chemical engineering , mathematics , mechanical engineering , engineering , physics , statistics , geotechnical engineering , quantum mechanics , nuclear physics , inlet
The residence time distributions (RTDs) of continuous solution copolymerization tank reactors connected in series are evaluated experimentally to analyze features related to the fluid dynamics of this class of reactors. For this purpose, tracer step experiments are carried out in lab‐scale polymerization tank reactors to provide experimental data for analysis of the quality of mixing and evaluate associated macromixing effects. Besides, mathematical models are developed to describe the RTD data obtained experimentally. Based on a compartmental approach, perfect mixing tanks, tanks with stagnant zones, tanks with crossflow, and tanks in series with backflow models were proposed. Particularly, the analysis of the available experimental data and of mathematical models indicate that the flow features of these systems are strongly associated with the established degree of mixing, presenting significant non‐ideal flow behavior, usually neglected in most modeling and experimental studies.