CHARACTERIZATION OF SEGREGATION IN A TUBULAR POLYMERIZATION REACTOR BY A NEW CHEMICAL METHOD

Micromixing in a tubular polymerization reactor is characterized by the molecular mass of polystyrene obtained in the presence of a chain transfer agent. Monomer and the transfer agent are fed separately into the reactor. For constant overall inlet concentrations, the mean molecular mass produced is strongly dependent on mixing intensity. Experiments were carried out in a pilot plant loop tubular reactor of different configurations and monomer conversions up to 80 %. The degree of segregation as a function of energy dissipation and the characteristic reaction time can be described by an empirical correlation. It could be shown that the design of the mixer can change considerably the micromixing efficiency. © 1990.