Semibatch Policies for Controlling the Molar Mass of Polyacrylic Acid under Isothermal Conditions

MINARI, R.; GUTIERREZ, C.; GONZALEZ, V.; YOSSEN, M.; BRANDOLINI, M.C.; VEGA, J.R.; GUGLIOTTA, L.

Lima (Perú)

Simposio; SLAP 2008 ? XI Simposio Latinoamericano de Polímeros ? IX Congreso Iberoamericano de Polímeros; 2008

Polymers containing acrylic acid (AA) are useful in a wide range of applications, depending on their molar mass distribution (MMD) and neutralization degree. For example, while the neutralized polyacrylic acid (PAA) of low molar mass is used as clay dispersant, the high molar mass PAA is employed as paint thickener or flocculating agent. Due to the extremely high AA consumption, it results difficult to control the reaction temperature and the molar  mass (MM) under batch conditions. In this work, semibatch strategies are proposed for simultaneously controlling and the average MM of two PAA grades under isothermal and safe conditions. The proposed strategy was able to produce PAA with narrower MMDs than those obtained under batch operations, and simultaneously restrict the produced reaction heat. The KPS proved to be adequate for producing PAA of medium MM. The KPS/MBS system allowed to obtain low MM. In this work, semibatch strategies are proposed for simultaneously controlling the average MM of two PAA grades under isothermal and safe conditions. The proposed strategy was able to produce PAA with narrower MMDs than those obtained under batch operations, and simultaneously restrict the produced reaction heat. The KPS proved to be adequate for producing PAA of medium MM. The KPS/MBS system allowed to obtain low MM.