Removal of Monomers and VOCs from Polymers

Several definitions of VOC have been offered. The European Union (EU) in Di- 

Handbook of Polymer Reaction Engineering. Edited by T. Meyer, J. Keurentjes Copyright 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH Co. KGaA, Weinheim ISBN 3-527-31014-2 

The use of higher temperatures would reduce the viscosity of the system, thus avoiding some of the drawbacks associated with high viscosities. However, high 

On the other hand, in spite of the much lower viscosities of solution polymerization, the economically achievable conversion is limited because, due to the low monomer concentration, the polymerization rate is extremely low at high conversions, and consequently unaffordable process times are required. 

Polymer devolatilization is a separation process in which residual VOCs are removed from the polymer matrix by application of a reduced pressure (lower than the equilibrium partial pressure of the volatile component), and/or heat. Stripping agents are also commonly used. 

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