Emulsion polymerization in a loop reactor: Effect of the operation conditions.

The effect of several operation conditions (temperature, residence time, re cycle ratio, initiator concentration and emulsifier concentration) on the p erformance of a continuous loop reactor during the redox initiated emulsion copolymerization of vinyl acetate and Veova 10 was investigated. The study was carried out under industrial-like conditions, namely, high solids cont ent latexes (55wt%) and high conversions (similar to 90%). Both polymerizat ion mechanisms and practical issues such as production rate and product qua lity are discussed.