Issue 11, 2020

From batch to continuous free-radical solution polymerization of acrylic acid using a stirred tank reactor

Abstract

Nowadays, the majority of the world polymer production is obtained through discontinuous or semi-continuous processes. In the specific case of free-radical polymerization (FRP), discontinuous processes suffer from many limitations with respect to safety, productivity, product quality and cost. In this work, we report a model-assisted strategy for transition of the solution FRP of non-ionized acrylic acid (AA) from batch to continuous with the aim of preserving the product quality in terms of weight-average molecular weight. A basic kinetic model is developed and validated by comparison with experimental results for three reactor configurations, batch, semibatch and continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). Then, examples of transitioning from a semibatch to a continuous process, using a stirred tank reactor, are analysed. Taking advantage of the validated model, a successful transition is designed through an optimization procedure. Based on a minimum acceptable monomer conversion of 98%, an increase in the polymer productivity up to 88% is achieved.

Graphical abstract: From batch to continuous free-radical solution polymerization of acrylic acid using a stirred tank reactor

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
15 Jun 2020
Accepted
14 Aug 2020
First published
14 Aug 2020

React. Chem. Eng., 2020,5, 2081-2090

From batch to continuous free-radical solution polymerization of acrylic acid using a stirred tank reactor

J. Ilare, M. Sponchioni, G. Storti and D. Moscatelli, React. Chem. Eng., 2020, 5, 2081 DOI: 10.1039/D0RE00252F

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements