Modeling of a solution polymerization reactor operating in semi-batch mode for polymethyl methacrylate production
[EN] The severe consequences of thermal runaways, make process optimization of paramount importance for free radical polymerization reactors, in order to maximize in an integrated way their safety and productivity. Generally, this optimization is performed by simulation, for the sake of safety and c...
| Autores: | , , , |
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| Tipo de documento: | artigo |
| Data de publicação: | 2024 |
| País: | España |
| Recursos: | Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) |
| Repositório: | RiuNet. Repositorio Institucional de la Universitat Politécnica de Valéncia |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:riunet.upv.es:10251/214862 |
| Acesso em linha: | https://riunet.upv.es/handle/10251/214862 |
| Access Level: | Acceso aberto |
| Palavra-chave: | Polymerization reactor modelling Polymethyl methacrylate Semi-batch operation Simulation Solution polymerization INGENIERIA QUIMICA |
| Resumo: | [EN] The severe consequences of thermal runaways, make process optimization of paramount importance for free radical polymerization reactors, in order to maximize in an integrated way their safety and productivity. Generally, this optimization is performed by simulation, for the sake of safety and cost. Today, the literature contains several models of free radical polymerization reactors in general; and methyl methacrylate (MMA) polymerization reactors, in particular. Although, MMA polymerization is commonly performed in semi-batch reactors at industrial level, most of the available models focus on batch reactors; while, the semi-batch reactor models are much scarcer. In this work, a model of a MMA solution polymerization batch reactor was modified in order to generalize it to semi-batch operation. The developed semi-batch model was used here for studying the effect of different operation conditions (feeding flow rate, initiator load, monomer initial load, and reactor temperature) on the quality characteristics of the produced polymer and on the safety and productivity of the polymerization reactor. The developed model can be used to optimize the operation conditions of a semibatch reactor so that the final product quality meets the application requirements, while maintaining the reactor within its safe-operation envelope, and maximizing its productivity. |
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