R. Giudici et al., MODELING OF INDUSTRIAL NYLON-6,6 POLYCONDENSATION PROCESS IN A TWIN-SCREW EXTRUDER REACTOR - I - PHENOMENOLOGICAL MODEL AND PARAMETER ADJUSTING, Journal of applied polymer science, 67(9), 1998, pp. 1573-1587
This article describes a mathematical model for the finishing stage of
nylon-6,6 polycondensation in a twin-screw extruder reactor. In the m
odel, the extruder is conceptually divided into two regions. The first
one is the partially filled degassing zone, which is operated under l
ow pressure and where the evaporation of water from the polymer takes
place. The rate of evaporation is considered to depend on an overall m
ass transfer coefficient and is limited by the water-polymer physical
equilibrium. In the second region, which is fully filled, the polymer
flow is assumed to be plug-flow and, in this region, the reversible po
lycondensation reaction occurs, as well as degradation reactions. A co
mparison with experimental data obtained in an industrial plant shows
fairly good agreement with model predictions after optimal fitting of
the rate coefficients. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.