Abstract
A mathematical model has been developed to predict the spatial variations in temperature, velocity and composition which occur during thermal polymerization of styrene in a laminar flow tubular reactor. The resulting computer simulation model is capable of analysing the effects of coupled momentum, heat and mass transfer including system parameter variations and different operational conditions on reactor stability and conversion rate. It was found that a tube of radius up to 2 cm can be unconditionally used for continuous flow polymerization. Above this radius, thermal runaway, flow channelling and steep radial gradients in all principal variables may occur.
Published Version
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