Experimental investigation of vinyl chloride polymerization at high conversion: mechanism, kinetics and modelling

The mechanism of vinyl chloride (VCM) polymerization is discussed in detail from both a chemical and a physical point of view. A comprehensive kinetic model for VCM bulk/suspension polymerization is developed based on all of the important elementary reactions for two-phase polymerization. A series of kinetic experiments covering an extensive temperature range with different initiator systems was carried out in an agitated 51 batch reactor. Kinetic parameters were estimated by using these experimental data. The present model is in excellent agreement with experimental rate data measured in different laboratories and can be used to predict polymerization rate, conversion history and other kinetic features over the entire monomer conversion range.