Polymer Reaction Kinetics: Process and Simulation for the Undergraduate Laboratory

聚合物特性，如分子量和共聚物 组成，高度依赖于工艺条件， 他们所做的。 加强对 基本概念由本科化学家和化学 聚合物科学跨学科领域的工程师是 needed. 这是通过偶联反应来实现的。 模拟实验设计，反应堆操作和 过程测量 该设备专门用于此目的： 1)用于模拟器开发和研究的微型计算机; 2） 用于计量反应物的计算机控制的实验室反应器， 控制、监测和记录反应条件;和3） 用于测定转化率的单体/聚合物监测设备。 传统的聚合物实验室课程几乎没有涉及到决定 各种聚合物合成背后的制造工艺， 那么只能是定性的。 此外，重要性 监视和控制过程的能力通常是 这被测量聚合物性能的需要所掩盖。 这些是高度相互依存和同等重要的。 一个 本科生在这两个领域的经验是必要的 特别是随着人们越来越重视 实验室化学家和工厂工程师之间的沟通。

Polymer properties, such as molecular weight and copolymer composition, are highly dependent on the process conditions under which they are made. The enhancement in understanding of the underlying concepts by undergraduate chemists and chemical engineers in the interdisciplinary field of polymer science is needed. This is to be accomplished by the coupling of reaction simulators with experimental design, reactor operation and process measurement. The equipment is specific for this purpose: 1) microcomputers for simulator development and studies; 2) computer controlled laboratory reactor for metering reactants and controlling, monitoring and recording reaction conditions; and 3) monomer/polymer monitoring equipment for determining conversion. Traditional polymer lab courses barely touch on the decision making processes behind the synthesis of various polymers and then only in a qualitative manner. In addition, the importance of monitoring and controlling the process is typically overshadowed by the need to measure the polymer properties. These are highly interdependent and of equal importance. An undergraduate's experience in both areas is necessary particularly with the increasing importance placed on communication between the bench chemist and the plant engineer.