Calculation of the particle size distribution in suspension polymerization using a compartment-mixing model

A modelling strategy for effective estimation of the particle size distribution (PSD) in suspension polymerization is presented. The strategy consists of coupling a population balance equation (PBE) and a compartment-mixing (CM) model to account for the non-homogeneous mixing in the tank reactor. The values for the rate of energy dissipation of each compartment are estimated from Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) calculations and experimental reports on systems with the same agitator and geometric characteristics. Model predictions using the CM model are compared with predictions that assume homogeneous mixing and experimental data on PSD from styrene and divinylbenzene pilot-plant suspension polymerization reactors of 1 and 5 L with Rushton and PET impellers.