STEADY-STATE MODELLING OF A LATEX REACTOR TRAIN FOR THE PRODUCTION OF STYRENE-BUTADIENE RUBBER

A mathematical model is developed for the emulsion copolymerization of styrene and butadiene carried out in a continuous train of stirred tank reactors. The model predicts copolymer composition, conversion, molecular weight averages, and long chain branching frequencies, as well as the latex particle size distribution for all reactors in the train. It is capable of simulating closely the behaviour of industrial SBR processes. Several simulation studies are performed. Topics investigated include: process operating modifications to improve productivity; the effect of chain transfer agent flow rate and number of reactors on the molecular weight development; the effect of process modifications on the development of the particle size distribution down the reactor train; and the effect of reactor design on particle generation rates.