Dispersing behaviour of droplets in suspension polymerization of styrene in a loop reactor

Abstract

Abstract Suspension polymerization of styrene was performed using a loop reactor. The dispersing behaviour of the droplets in the course of the reaction was observed. The mean droplet diameter was determined by the energy level at the impeller region. Moreover, the final particle size distribution and mean particle size were also determined after an elapsed time of 1‐2 hrs. An expression which correlated the final mean particle size with the operating conditions, such as the mixing conditions at the impeller region and the initial physical properties of the suspension system, was derived. The deposition of polymers on the reactor wall was found to be prevented due to the high fluid velocity.