Modeling and experimental studies of methyl methacrylate polymerization in a tubular reactor☆

In this study, rheological examination of the mixture of a tubular reactor in which methyl methacrylate was po-lymerized has been studied. The n (flow behavior index) value of Power Law Model of mixture contained in the reactor has been determined within the span of 0.3492 to 0.9889 by curve fitting. Employing these numerical data for velocity profile, the reactor has been modeled. Moreover, the functions of the reactor have been com-pared in the three modes of plug, mixed and laminar flow. The results obtained in this research indicate that the polymethyl methacrylate mixture contained in the reactor is pseudo-plastic. Moreover, as the conversion grows, the velocity profile starts as a parabolic profile and approaches the plug mode;although it never reaches the plug. The other conclusions borne in this study indicate that when the reactor's radius is decreased, the conversion rate grows. However, as decreasing the radius would also reduce the productions rate, this procedure is not economical. Finally, in this modeling, the amount of conversion is equal to 56.47%at the end and according to its laboratory proportion which is 55.88%, it has reached the conclusion that the modeling duly undertaken is applicable and valid.