Some aspects of depolymerization kinetics

Abstract

Abstract A brief discussion of the importance of the transfer step and its effect in the pyrolysis of polyethylene is given. In this case the removal, by molecular distillation, of smaller species from the reacting mixture modifies the kinetics. The molecular weight decreases less rapidly and tends to a limiting value depending on the maximum size of the evaporating molecules. The number distribution of the latter is, in a first approximation, independent of their size. The pertinent expressions are presented and the general solution of the rate equations which can be used to obtain higher approximations is given.