Polystyrene prepared by reactive extrusion: kinetics and effect of processing parameters

The conversion and residence time were investigated during the bulk polymerization of styrene in a twin screw extruder. It was found that polymerization mainly occurred in the zone between 400 and 1000 mm along the screw axis in the extruder, corresponding to the residence time of the reactants ranging from 1 to 4 min in the extruder. Furthermore, the processing conditions (feed rate, screw rotation rate) and average molecular weight of the polymer have a great effect on the residence time. Based on dimensionless analysis, a model of the residence time has been built‐up, which has been confirmed by the results of realistic measurements. A kinetic model of the polymerization has also been established under the assumption that the screw extruder can be regarded as an ideal plug flow reactor. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modelling non-homogeneous flow and residence time distribution in a single-screw extruder by means of Markov chains

Non-homogeneous velocity distribution of the flow in the channel of a single-screw extruder is taken into account by a new model developed on the basis of the Markov chains. This model allows calculating the Residence Time Distribution (RTD) as well as the influence of the operating conditions on the process at any velocity distribution in the channel. It has been used to represent experimental results on mass flow rate and RTD previously obtained by extrusion of an acrylic polymer, Eudragit E100, at different temperatures and screw rotation speeds. The diffusion coefficient is the only adjusting parameter of the model. It was shown that it does not depend on the screw rotation speed and a correlation between this diffusion coefficient and the barrel temperature was found. The model provides global understanding of the transport kinetics of the flowing material through the extruder according to its behaviour and better describes the progress of the polymer flow all along the barrel from the hopper to the die.     

用反应挤出法制备尼龙6塑料

利用双螺杆挤出机进行了尼龙６阴离子开环聚合反应的研究，通过改变引发剂及活化剂的浓度、螺杆转速、机筒的温度分布以及螺杆元件构型的排布等，研究这些工艺参数对尼龙６反应挤出产物性能的影响。结果表明，反应挤出的尼龙６综合机械性能比水解缩聚法生产，且具有较高的性能价格比。     

In-Line Monitoring of Bulk Polypropylene Reactors Based on Data Reconciliation Procedures

The main objective of this work is the implementation of a nonlinear dynamic data reconciliation (NDDR) procedure for the in-line monitoring of the bulk propylene polymerization, as performed in a real industrial site. Special attention is given to monitoring of the melt flow index (MI) of the polymer product obtained in an industrial extruder at different operating conditions. In order to do that, a model is developed to describe the polymerization process and the controlled degradation of polypropylene in a reactive extruder. The model is implemented in real time, allowing for in-line and real-time monitoring of the plant operation.     

HTPB/HDI本体聚合反应动力学研究

用基团分析方法对端羟基聚丁二烯（ＨＴＰＢ）／己二异氰酸酯（ＨＤＩ）体系的本体聚合反应的动力学进行了研究。探讨了催化剂二丁基二月桂酸锡（ＤＢＴＤＬ）对反应速度的影响。结果表明,催化体系的聚合反应速度完全满足双螺杆挤出机反应挤出停留时间的要求。『     

Simulation of disk extruder operation

Mathematical simulation of thermoplastic polymer processing by a disk extruder was considered. The results were compared with experimental data obtained in an extruder of a 200 mm diameter. The developed technique of calculation allows selection of design parameters of operational parts and disk speed for preset output of the disk extruder as well as energy-power parameters of extrusion.     

Kinetics of D,L–Lactide Polymerization Initiated with Zirconium Acetylacetonate

The kinetic of D,L-lactide polymerization in presence of biocompatible zirconium acetylacetonate initiator was studied by differential scanning calorimetry in isothermal mode at various temperatures and initiator concentrations. The enthalpy of D,L-lactide polymerization measured directly in DSC cell was found to be ΔH=−17.8±1.4 kJ mol⁻¹. Kinetic curves of D,L-lactide polymerization and propagation rate constants were determined for polymerization with zirconium acetylacetonate at concentrations of 250–1000 ppm and temperature of 160–220 °C. Using model or reversible polymerization the following kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were calculated: activation energy E_a=44.51±5.35 kJ mol⁻¹, preexponential constant lnA=15.47±1.38, entropy of polymerization ΔS=−25.14 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. The effect of reaction conditions on the molecular weight of poly(D,L-lactide) was shown.     

New Kinetic Model of Ethene Polymerization with Cp2ZrCl2 /MAO Catalyst

The kinetics of ethene polymerization catalyzed by Cp₂ZrCl₂ /MAO is studied. A detailed look is taken at the different kinetic models used to describe the polymerization process. Also, a new model was developed on the basis of previous work. The new model takes both the active‐sites mechanism and the reactivation effect of MAO into account. Better agreement between the experimental data and the fitting profile was achieved by applying the new model, when compared with the results from older models. A plausible mechanism of polymerization is outlined.     

Peroxide‐controlled degradation of poly(propylene): rheological behaviour and process modelling

The control of the molecular weight distribution of poly(propylene) resins by peroxide degradation is widely used in polymer industry. It allows to adjust the viscosity of these resins to the level required for processing applications. The purpose of this work was to characterise the influence of peroxide degradation on the rheological behaviour of an homopolymer PP and a block copolymer PP/PE, and to use these results to obtain a predictive model of the degradation in a twin‐screw extruder. By coupling a thermomechanical model of the twin‐screw extrusion process, a kinetic model of the considered reactions and the rheological behaviour, it was possible to calculate the changes in molecular weight along the extruder, during the peroxide‐controlled degradation.     

Mechanism of Butadiene Polymerization on Cobalt-Containing Catalyst

Based on experimental results and reference data, the main elementary stages of butadiene polymerization on a cobalt-containing catalyst were determined and a mathematical model of the polymerization was developed. The following characteristics of the process were studied using this model: number-average, weight-average, and sedimentation-average degrees of polymerization and branching factor.     

Use of block copolymer surfactants in the inverse-suspension polymerization of acrylamide

A comprehensive experimental investigation of the inverse microsuspension polymerization of acrylamide using an oil-soluble initiator and a block copolymeric surfactant whose hydrophobic miety is poly(12-hydroxystearic acid) and whose hydrophilic moeity is polyethylene oxide was carried out. It was found that the initial polymerization rate was first order with respect to molar monomer concentration, first order with respect to molar initiator concentration and zeroth order with respect to molar emulsifier concentration. Based on these experimental findings, a mechanism was proposed which includes initiation, propagation transfer to monomer and termination. It also includes transfer to impurities which are believed to be found in the surfactant. The kinetic model developed from the proposed mechanism is found to be in good agreement with the experimental conversion and weight-average molecular weight data. Comparing with sorbitan esters of fatty acids, the copolymeric surfactant provides higher polymerization rate and very high and linear molecular weight comparable to those obtained by solution polymerization.     

The Role of a Metallocene Additive in Radically Initiated Polymerization when Solving Direct and Inverse Kinetic Problems

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate, initiated by benzoyl peroxide in the presence of titanocene dichloride, is considered from the point of view of formal kinetics. Based on the kinetic scheme of the process (which includes the reactions of classical radical polymerization, the reaction of benzoyl peroxide with titanocene dichloride, the reactions of the controlled radical polymerization of organometallic mediated radical polymerization (OMRP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), the reaction of the formation of a coordinating active site and the coordinating chain propagation on a mathematical model of the kinetics of the process is created. This model also makes it possible to calculate the molecular-mass characteristics of poly(methyl methacrylate). As a result of the solution of the inverse kinetic problem at a temperature of 343 K, the values of the reaction rate constants of the kinetic scheme are found under which the discrepancy between the calculated models and experimental data is minimal. Using the developed model of the kinetics of the process, a numerical experiment is performed (i.e., a direct kinetic problem is solved). This problem revealed the following regularities of the process. (1) An increase in the initial concentration of titanocene dichloride at a constant initial concentration of benzoyl peroxide leads to an increase in the rate of consumption of benzoyl peroxide but not to an increase in the initial rate of the process compared to classical radical polymerization. (2) With an increase in the initial concentration of titanocene dichloride, the lifetime of the macroradicals at the initial stage of the process is reduced, and hence the molecular weight of the resulting polymethyl methacrylate is less than that of the polymethyl methacrylate obtained in the absence of titanocene dichloride, and it will increase during the process of approaching the final values. (3) During the polymerization of methyl methacrylate, initiated by benzoyl peroxide in the presence of titanocene dichloride, a smoothing gel effect (as in the case of the polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by benzoyl peroxide in the presence of ferrocene) does not occur since titanocene dichloride forms stable complexes with methyl methacrylate and, consequently, it participates in reactions consuming macroradicals to a lesser degree than ferrocene.     

正癸烷热解的小规模化学动力学机理模型

正癸烷是目前常用的吸热型燃料的替代组分, 但是其热解机理的研究迄今还很少, 且现有的少数几个机理由于规模庞大使用不便. 本文首先构建了一个包含33种组分和75个基元反应的正癸烷热解动力学机理模型(Mech33); 随后, 在该机理的基础上进一步通过灵敏度分析得到影响主要热裂解组分生成的速率控制步, 并采用局部平衡和稳态假设对Mech33机理简化得到了规模更小的、仅包含22种组分和59步反应动力学机理模型(Mech22). 在较宽的温度和压力范围内对流动反应器及激波管中正癸烷热解过程进行了数值模拟, 并与实验数据进行了对比, 结果表明, Mech33和Mech22两个动力学机理模型都能够很好地描述正癸烷热裂解过程,并准确预测主要热裂解产物的浓度分布, 为进一步实现化学反应与计算流体力学(CFD)耦合的工程计算提供了有价值的动力学机理模型.     

Thermal degradation of high density polyethylene in a reactive extruder

The thermal degradation of high density polyethylene was conducted in a reactive extruder at various screw speeds with reaction temperatures of 400 °C and 425 °C. The residence time of the extruder was estimated and the molecular weight distribution of the fed plastic and reaction products was analysed using gel permeation chromatography. A continuous kinetic model was used to describe the degradation of the high density polyethylene in the reactive extruder. The breakage kernel and the scission rate model parameters were estimated from the experimental data for a variety of cases. It was found that purely random breakage and a scission rate which had a power law dependence on molecular size of 0.474 best described the experimental data.     

Preparation of L-lactide of polymerization purity with removal of impurities by fractional melting

Isolation and purification of L-lactide to reach the polymerization purity level with removal of impurities by fractional melting was studied. The process implementation was suggested, and the influence of various parameters on the rate and degree of impurity removal was examined. The optimum conditions for removal of the main impurities from L-lactide were found. The method allows preparation of L-lactide of polymerization purity in approximately 50% yield.     

Mathematical Simulation of the Synthesis of cis-1,4-Polybutadiene on a Cobalt-Containing Catalyst in the Presence of Ethylene

Based on an analysis of experimental results and published data, the main elementary steps of the anionic coordination polymerization of butadiene rubber on a cobalt-containing catalyst in the presence of ethylene were found, and a mathematical model of the periodic process at an optimum water content was developed. The molecular-weight characteristics of the process depending on ethylene concentration were studied with the use of this model.     

偏氯乙烯悬浮聚合反应速率模型

通过实验研究了偏氯乙烯悬浮聚合反应动力学,比较了偏氯乙烯与氯乙烯聚合动力学行为的异同.在假定偏氯乙烯聚合反应发生在单体相和液固界面两个区域的基础上,提出了偏氯乙烯沉淀聚合反应速率模型.模型预测的转化率值几乎在全转化率范围内都与本文的偏氯乙烯悬浮聚合实验结果一致.     

High-conversion polymerization. I. Theory and application to methyl methacrylate

The concept of polymer entanglements has been applied in conjunction with classical free-radical kinetics to describe vinyl polymerizations carried to high conversion. A kinetic model has been developed on the assumption that two populations of radicals exist in a high-conversion polymerization system: those radicals whose chain lengths are long enough to become entangled with neighboring molecules and have, therefore, a restricted mobility; and those shorter radicals whose mobilities are not strongly affected by diffusional effects. It has also been assumed that the kinetic rate constant for the termination step between entangled radicals is inversely proportional to the mean entanglement density. The model contains only two parameters in addition to the kinetic rate constants required to describe low-conversion polymerizations. One of these parameters can be determined, at least in principle, from measurements of solution properties of the polymer-monomer mixtures. The model so developed has been tested against experimental data obtained from the literature on the bulk polymerization of methyl methacrylate. The agreement between predicted and experimental monomer conversions and molecular weight averages is found to be satisfactory.     

A new kinetic model for bulk polymerization of vinyl chloride based on two-phase hypothesis

A kinetic model has been developed for the bulk polymerization of vinyl chloride using Talamini's hypothesis of two-phase polymerization and a new concept of kinetic solubility which assumes that rapidly growing polymer chains have considerably greater solubility than the thermodynamic solubility of preformed polymer molecules of the same size and so can remain in solution even under thermodynamically unfavourable conditions. It is further assumed that this kinetic solubility is a function of chain length. The model yields a rate expression consistent with the experimental data for vinyl chloride bulk polymerization and moreover is able to explain several characteristic kinetic features of this system. Application of the model rate expression to the available rate data has yielded 2.36 × 10⁸l mol^?1 sec^?1 for the termination rate constant in the polymer-rich phase; as expected, this value is smaller than that reported for homogenous polymerization by a factor of 10–30.     

Mathematical Modeling of the Grafting of Maleic Anhydride onto Polypropylene

Summary: A kinetic model for the free radical grafting of maleic anhydride (MAH) onto polypropylene (PP) was developed. The model is able to predict the effect of MAH and initiator concentrations on the grafting degree as well as the changes in the polymer molecular weight distribution during the grafting process. Simulation results are validated by comparison with data from different sources, showing that the model is able to represent reasonably the main trends of the experimentally measured variables both in batch (internal mixer, static film) and in continuous processing (twin-screw extruder), under different conditions. Model predictions are also compared well with a Monte Carlo simulation previously presented in the literature for the same process.