Polymerization reactor design

In any polymerization process one must be concerned with removal of the coproduct (typically H2O or HCl) so that equilibrium limitations do not limit the polymer size. The removal of the product in condensation polymerization to attain higher polymer lengths is a major consideration in polymerization reactor design. This can be done by withdrawing water vapor or by using two phases so that the water and polymer migrate to different phases. 

As important as kinetic mechanism are the phase changes that occur in polymerization. Only a small fraction of polymerizations are carried out only in one phase thus thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, and the kinetics of the phase change itself all play a role in determining the properties of the product polymer. Table IV indicates the principal types of kinetic mechanisms and reaction media which arise in polymerization reactors. Each of these classes of systems has its own peculiar problems so that polymerization reactor design can often be much more challenging than the design of reactors for short chain molecules. 

A key aspect in the polymerization reactor design is achieving good heat transfer. The specific heat-transfer area diminishes drastically with the increasing volume ... 

Finally, safety is always a prime consideration in the selection of an appropriate polymerization reactor. Venting to the atmosphere in a safe and environmentally sound manner should always be a part of polymerization reactor design. Some additional useful information and insight into the... 

POLYMERIZATION REACTOR DESIGN 4.1.4 Molecular weight distributions... 

Polymerization Reactor Design for High-Throughput Methods... 

Damped oscillations will result in lost productivity since the product during these transients may be zero quality. Unstable oscillations will, of course, preclude continued operation. Limit cycle oscillations, while not unstable, will result in a product whose quality (MWD, CCD, etc.) varies with time in a cycfic fashion. In most cases, this is undesirable. As in the case of multiplicity, the polymerization reactor designer... 

Shreve was extremely active in research fiom 1945 until his retirement in 1955. His research was gradually turning towards subjects such as kinetics, reactor design, fixed beds, adsorption and even polymerization reactor design. 

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