Continuous emulsion polymerization. Modeling oscillations in vinyl acetate polymerization

Abstract A theoretical investigation of the emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate in a continuous stirred tank reactor operating under conditions of sustained oscillations is reported here. Models of two levels of sophistication are developed: a comprehensive model that solves for the age distribution function of polymer particles and a simplified model that assumes discrete nucleation periods. The latter model should find use in adaptive control of latex reactors. These models adequately simulate experimental data after Greene et al. 2 for the emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate under conditions of sustained oscillations.