Kinetics and Mechanism of Bulk Polymerization of Vinyl Chloride in a Polymerization Reactor

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the third most commonly produced polymer and is important because of its mechanical characteristics. The most common method of PVC manufacturing is the process of suspension. Although, there are several benefits associated with suspension, this study will focus on the bulk polymerization of vinyl chloride; highlight the physical and chemical properties of PVC, which can be changed through an estimation of the optimum ratio that exists between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts of the polymer’s surface, and propose a new mathematical model which will be helpful for the conversion of PVC into a useful form. The result will be the proposal of a new dynamic mathematical model for the three-phase structure model. All particles have been taken into account in the proposed model, which helped contribute to the reaction in gel, solid, and liquid phases, emphasizing the use of mercury (Hg) as a catalyst. The proposed mathematical model considers the heat and mass transfer between the liquid, gel, and solid phases with chemical reactions that occur between the liquid and solid phases, and between the gel and solid phases. The effect of the catalyst and volumetric flow rates of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) on the system have been evaluated through the proposed mathematical model. Furthermore, the study’s experimental data have been compared with the findings of the suggested model in the context of concentration and temperature reaction. Obtained results show good agreement between the proposed mathematical model and the actual plant data.