HEAT-TRANSFER AND PRODUCTION OF HYDROXYPROPYL STARCH IN A STATIC MIXER REACTOR

A new reactor is proposed for the chemical derivation of aqueous starc h solutions based on the application of static mixers. In a novel appr oach, heat transfer in the static mixer was modelled using the Pseudoh omogeneous Two-dimensional Heat Transfer (PTHT) model. Experimental re sults show the suitability of this model for describing both axial and radial temperature gradients in the static mixer. Conversions of prop ylene oxide in the reactor were calculated using a two-dimensional rea ctor model. Experimental results are in excellent agreement with model calculations.