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Analysis of a reactor with surface renewal for poly(ethylene terephthalate) synthesis
Author(s) -
Yoon K. H.,
Park O. O.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760340304
Subject(s) - terephthalic acid , condensation polymer , materials science , ethylene , ethylene glycol , polymerization , reaction rate constant , polymer chemistry , dimethyl terephthalate , catalysis , degree of polymerization , polyester , polymer , chemistry , kinetics , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , composite material , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
A mathematical model of a polycondensation reactor that can be used in the final stage for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is established and compared with experimental data obtained from a laboratory scale reactor with film renewal. Detailed side reactions are considered along with the diffusional removal of the small molecules through thin film. Among several kinetic constants, the polycondensation reaction rate constant k 1 (= k 8 ) and diester group degradation reaction rate constant k 7 have an influence over the degree of polymerization. The values of k 1 (= k 8 ) and k 7 for 0.05 wt% Sb 2 O 3 were obtained as curve‐fit values: (1) k 1 (= k 8 ) = 3.4 × 10 6 exp(− 18.500/RT′) (L/mol‐min); (2) k 7 = 1.3 × 10 11 exp(− 37,800/RT′) (min −1 ). Effects of the film exposure time, reduced pressure of vacuum, temperature, the initial terephthalic acid (TPA)/ethylene glycol (EG) mole ratio, the initial degree of polymerization, and catalysts were well explained by the model.