MATHEMATICAL MODELLING OF EMULSION POLYMERIZATION REACTORS: A POPULATION BALANCE APPROACH.

A mathematical model has been developed which can be employed to describe the dynamic behavior of latex reactors and to simulate present industrial and novel modes of reactor operation. The model has been developed in a general way, thus being readily expandable to include additional mechanisms (e. g. redox initiation) or to relax any of the underlying assumptions, if necessary. It is flexible and covers various reactor types, modes of operation and comonomer systems. It is shown that the model can adequately predict experimental data from the literature and data measured in semi-pilot-scale reactors by the authors.