Application of a mathematical model for the polyesterification process based on mixtures of fumaric acid and adipic acid without catalyst

Abstract

AbstractThe production of unsaturated polyesters based on mixtures of fumaric acid and adipic acid for different proportions without added catalyst was studied. The progress of the polyesterification was followed by determining the amount of water produced during the reaction. The kinetic parameters (reaction order n, activation energy E, frequency factor k0) of the polyesterification were determined and it was found out that n = 3 in all cases, while E and k0 increased by increasing amount of fumaric acid in the initial mixture of the reaction. A mathematical model for the polyesterification based on the production parameters (e.g. the heating program) and on the kinetic parameters was used and very good correlation was found between the corresponding pair of curves of water produced during the polyesterification, which were determined experimentally and theoretically (by calculating). With regard to the properties of the final product it was found out that its viscosity and its slight yellow colour increased by increasing the amount of fumaric acid in the initial mixture of raw materials. General prospects for practical application of this method were also discussed.