Determination of optimal reactor system configuration for polymerization reactions. II. Effect of chain transfer,autoacceleration, and temperature profile

The effect of chaln transfer, diffusion control, and temperature on the optimal design and selection of polymerization reactors was investigated. Chain transfer to the monomer was examined and a parametric study of the corresponding rate constant was carried out. The Trommsdorff effect was included in the model by using a diffusion-controlled termination process. An optimum temperature sequence was determined for this modified model by incorporating the effect of temperature on the rate constants and on the amount and rate of heat removal. Furthermore, the concept of dividing the plug flow reactor into several constant temperature zones was considered, and the effect of “zoning” on the system performance was determined.