The modelling of counter-rotating twin screw extruders as reactors for single-component reactions

Numerical models are useful to study the behaviour of the extruder as a polymerization reactor. With a correct numerical model a theoretical analysis of the influence of several reaction and extruder parameters can be made, the limitations of the use of the extruder reactor can be determined and the effects of scale-up can be studied. The numerical model developed for a single-component reaction in a twin screw extruder shows good agreement with experimental data for the polymerization of n-butylmethacrylate during the reactive extrusion process. At low rotation rates a disagreement may occur between experiments and predicted data. However, the program is very useful for industrial scale processes where extruders operate in the area of high rotational speeds.