New advances in the mathematical modeling of the continuous bulk process for the production of high-impact polystyrene using multifunctional initiators
New advances in the mathematical modeling of the continuous bulk process for the production of high-impact polystyrene using multifunctional initiators
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Fecha
2019-03
Autores
Laganá, María Laura
Berkenwald, Emilio
Acuña, Pablo
Enríquez Medrano, Javier
Morales Balado, Graciela Elizabeth
Estenoz, Diana
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"New advances in the mathematical modeling of the bulk continuous high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) process are presented. The model consists of three modules that allow the simulation of: (1) a polymerization reactor train, (2) a devolatilization (DV) stage, and (3) structure–properties relationships. The model is based on a kinetic mechanism that includes thermal initiation, chemical initiation by sequential decomposition of a multifunctional initiator, propagation, transfer to monomer, transfer to rubber, termination by combination and re-initiation, as well as high temperature crosslinking and oligomer generation reactions. The present model is comprehensive from a kinetic perspective, since it can be used to simulate a HIPS process using initiators of any functionality and structure. The model is adjusted and validated using previously unpublished experimental data for bulk continuous HIPS polymerization in a pilot-scale plant. The experimental work includes a series of polymerizations using three different multifunctional initiators: (1) luperox-331 M80 (L331), (2) pinacolone diperoxide, and (3) diethyl ketone triperoxide. The pilot plant comprised the main stages of an industrial HIPS process: prepolymerization, finishing and DV. Theoretical results show a good agreement with the experimental measurements".