Mathematical Modeling of the Molecular Weight Distribution in Catalytically Degraded Polystyrene

GIANOGLIO PANTANO, IOANA A.; ASTEASUAIN, MARIANO; DÍAZ, MÓNICA F.; SARMORIA, CLAUDIA; BRANDOLIN, ADRIANA

Salt Lake City, EEUU

Congreso; 2010 AIChE Annual Meeting; 2010

AICHE

Two of the most abundant polymers in household waste streams, polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE), may be recycled by compatibilization through a Friedel-Crafts alkylation. The reaction produces a graft copolymer that improves the properties of the blend. The copolymer efficiency as a compatibilizer is a strong function of its molecular weight and molecular weight distribution (MWD). To aid in the design of operating conditions for the production of this copolymer, we present a preliminary mathematical model for the compatibilization process that focuses on the effect of the catalyst and cocatalyst of the Friedel-Crafts alkylation on the copolymer properties. Probability generating functions are used in order to predict the MWD during PS degradation for various operating conditions. The model was validated experimentally, showing that model predictions are in agreement with experimental data.