Mathematical Modeling of a Continuous Stirred-Tank Reactor for the Production of High-Impact Polystyrene. Prediction of the Particle Morphology

LUCIANI, C. V.; ESTENOZ, D. A.; MEIRA, G. R.

Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Congreso; IUPAC World Polymer Congress Macro 2006; 2006

This work presents a mathematical model that calculates the development of the salami morphology in the prepolymerization of a continuous High-Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) process. The model is an extension of an equivalent batch process, but considering segregated flow into the reactor. It predicts global variables such as conversion, grafting efficiency, and averages molecular weights of the free Polystyrene (PS), residual polybutadiene (PB), and graft copolymer (GC), and the average morphology (i.e.: diameter and number of particles and occlusions). The predictions are compared with published measurements and with simulated results of an equivalent homogeneous model with a reasonable agreement.