Process intensification: spinning disk reactor for styrene polymerisation

In this paper the performance of a thin film reactor using the spinning disc technology has been described. The objective of the study was to develop a compact reactor with good heat and mass transfer characteristics for continuous processing of free radical polymerisation. Solution polymerisation of styrene was therefore chosen as an example of free-radical polymerisation system and it may be concluded that a spinning disc reactor (SDR) can significantly enhance the reaction rates when the viscosity of the polymer mass is in excess of 3-4 N/m(2) s. It also improves the product quality by producing polystyrene with tight molecular weight distribution (MWD). The inherent safety of the process is also improved. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.