| Abstract: | For the bulk free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), equations of the material balance can be written that are based on a kinetic diagram that considers initiation by decomposition of an AIBN initiator, propagation, and termination by disproportionation. To quantify the gel and glass effects simple empirical dependences are used between the rate constants of termination and propagation and monomer conversion. Numerical values for the empirical parameters at different temperatures and initiator concentrations are also given. Conversion history and molecular weights are obtained by simulation when an initiator or monomer are added to the reaction mass and the temperature modifies after some reaction has taken place. These intermediate operations are simulated at different moments with respect to the gel and glass effects. The validation of the model for semibatch and nonisothermal conditions are made by comparing the simulation results with literature experimental data. The most important conclusion of the article is that the empirical model proposed for the gel and glass effects can be successfully used under semibatch and nonisothermal reactor conditions. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 2561–2570, 1999 |
