Polymerization Processes, 2. Modeling of Processes and Reactors

Abstract

The article contains sections titled: 1. Introduction 2. Processes and Reactor Modeling for Step‐Growth Polymerization 2.1. Types of Reactors and Reactor Modeling 2.2. Specific Processes 3. Processes and Reactor Modeling for Chain‐Growth Polymerization 3.1. Material Balance Equations for Batch, Semi‐Batch, and Continuous Reactors 3.1.1. Rates of Reaction and Copolymer Composition 3.1.2. Molecular Masses, Long‐Chain Branching, and Cross‐Linking 3.2. Examples of Free‐Radical Polymerization 3.2.1. Homopolymerization ‐ Linear Chains 3.2.2. Copolymerization ‐ Linear Chains 3.2.3. Copolymerization ‐ Long‐Chain Branching 3.3. Polymerization Processes 3.3.1. Solution Polymerization 3.3.1.1. Polymer Soluble in Monomer 3.3.1.2. Addition of a Solvent in which both Monomer and Polymer are Miscible 3.3.1.3. Polymer ‐ Polymer Demixing during Polymerization 3.3.2. Precipitation Polymerization 3.3.2.1. Polymer Insoluble in its Monomer 3.3.2.2. Monomer Functioning as Solvent for the Polymer 3.3.3. Suspension Polymerization 3.3.3.1. Qualitative Description 3.3.3.2. Dispersants 3.3.3.3. Mechanism of Particle Formation 3.3.3.4. Industrial Applications 3.3.4. Emulsion Polymerization 3.3.4.1. Theories of Emulsion Polymerization 3.3.4.2. Physicochemical Parameters of Dispersions 3.3.4.3. Inverse Emulsion Polymerization 3.3.4.4. Semi‐Batch Emulsion Polymerization 3.3.4.5. Continuous Emulsion Polymerization 3.4. Miscellaneous Processes 3.5. Ionic Polymerization Modeling 3.5.1. Introduction 3.5.2. Heterogeneous Coordination Polymerization 3.6. Process Variables, Reactor Dynamics/ Stability, On‐Line Monitoring and Control 3.6.1. Influence of Reactor Type and Configuration on Molecular Mass and Copolymer Composition Distributions, and on Long‐Chain Branching and Cross‐Linking 3.6.1.1. Monomer Coupling with Bimolecular Termination Plug Flow and Batch Reactors (CPFR/BR) 3.6.1.2. Monomer Coupling Without Termination Plug Flow and Batch Reactors (CPFR/BR) 3.6.1.3. Polymer Coupling 3.6.1.4. Copolymerization 3.6.1.5. Long‐Chain Branching and Cross‐Linking 3.6.2. Reactor Dynamics and Stability 3.6.3. On‐Line Monitoring and Control 4. Acknowledgement

Advancements in droplet reactor systems represent new opportunities in chemical reactor engineering: A perspective

“…[ 32 ] Two of the most widely used continuous reactors are CSTRs and PFRs, which are commonly paired together in reaction processes to achieve the desired result, as demonstrated in Figure 2. [ 33 ] Unlike batch reactors, the process parameters for continuous reactors are typically measured in space time, with one unit of space time being equal to the time required to process one reactor volume. [ 34 ] This is because of the continuous nature of the reactors and the less clear start and stop times.…”

“…[ 43 ] Considering the fabrication and operational cost, batch reactors are used in this case. A comparison between batch reactors and continuous reactors can be seen in Figure 3, [ 33 ] which characterizes these three types of reactors on the basis of residence‐time distribution and the temporal and spatial course of chemical reaction. For example, in batch reactors, the concentration of reactant A is shown as decreasing with time and is independent of location in reactor.…”