Photo Polymerization Using Process Intensification

In this paper is described the photo polymerization of styrene and styrene-butyl acrylate co-polymerization using intensified modules such as a narrow channel reactor and a rotating tube reactor. The aims of the narrow channel reactor work are to determine an appropriate kinetic model and to benchmark the process parameters for styrene for comparison with traditional batch polymerization. Photo polymerization in a rotating tube reactor is to be described to determine its capability for commercial processing. Polymer quality will be examined in terms of the polydispersity index determined by Gel Permeation Chromatography. System quality will be examined in terms of polymer quality, polymer conversion and residence time. Polymer conversion will be examined using Gas Chromatography. Residence time is found using knows reactor dimensions and experimental flow rate. Both the narrow channel and the rotating tube reactors are expected to produce tighter molecular weight distributions in shorter residence times than traditional batch polymerization