Modelling and experimental studies of free radical polymerization reactors

Batch suspension polymerizations were carried out to study the effects of monomer solubility. Factors affecting monomer solubility and mass transfer were examined. Salts were used to modify the aqueous phase to handle the monomer solubility problems. A lab scale process has been developed for continuous suspension polymerization of vinyl acetate which has potential for industrial applications.; Compartmental mixing models were used to study imperfect feed mixing and reactor dead zones in polymerization reactors. A composite approach was proposed to obtain full Molecular Weight Distribution under the imperfect mixing conditions. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used to simulate an industrial scale LDPE autoclave reactor in three dimensions.; A general kinetic model was proposed for high pressure ethylene polymerization. The model includes both decomposition and polymerization kinetics. Dynamic simulation indicates runaway behavior under different conditions. Stability analysis indicates safe operating limits for certain variables.