Continuous Function Approximation for Dispersed Phase Distribution in Suspension Polymerization

Polymers are nowadays used in a multitude of applications, many of the latter being in close relationship with the polymer molecular mass distribution (PMMD), which could be affected by the way the polymer was obtained: bulk, solution, emulsion or suspension. The polymers produced in heterogeneous processes strongly depend not only on the polymerization kinetics, but also on the heterogeneous phase distribution, closely related to the operating conditions. This means that the drop size distribution, which is affected by the stirring rate, surfactant concentration and monomer-polymer solution characteristics, is relevant in the final polymer properties. The PMMD determines the polymer processing techniques, which require that the input material has certain specified features. The present work shows the interdependency between PMMD and drop distribution through the heat transfer process between drops and the continuous phase.