Modeling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) reactors. IX. Solid state polycondensation process

Abstract

Abstract A mathematical model for simulation of industrial process of solid state polycondensation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) has been developed. The model eliminates errors evident in the earlier models by proper formulation. The model results have been validated by experimental data in the literature. It enables prediction of the influence of particle shape, size, temperature, etc. on the polycondensation process correctly in all different regimes of operation, apart from bringing out the importance of gas‐side resistance, influence of carrier gas, etc. for the first time.