Kinetic studies, modeling and optimization of polymerization reactors and IR drying study of polymers

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In modern society, plastics play evidently a crucial role in almost every day application like health care, communication, transportation and so forth. Every year a large tonnage of synthetic polymers is produced worldwide. Being the core in the synthesis of polymeric products, polymer reaction engineering has seen significant advances over the last few decades. However, more studies are still required for a deeper understanding of the polymer reaction mechanisms and for designing new plants. This proposal is to continue our research program which goal is to make advances in the physico-chemical studies of polymerizations. We need to generate more data to better understand the process behavior at different operating conditions, validate models that we are currently developing and later extend the research to online computer control and optimization. Once incorporated in the simulation package, the model will guide the user to predict process behavior and design new experiments. One recent study, in which the applicant has been involved, shows that the use of multifunctional initiators in bulk/solution polymerization is valuable. It enhances production rate and produces branched polymers with interesting properties for industrial use. At one point, we have so far experimentally observed the formation of star polymers by reacting monomers (methyl-methacrylate, styrene) with novel tetra functional initiators. This reaction is governed by particular kinetic mechanisms, which we are currently studying. First, this research is to conduct more kinetic studies in (co)-polymerizations. Secondly, A dynamic simulation will reveal the process trends and the inherent non-linear regions. Semi-batch reactors are very common in polymer industry and the operation time is very crucial and need to be optimized taking into consideration the kinetics and thermodynamics of the reactor system.  The final objective of the research is to design efficient reactors for making new polymeric products of high quality and safe environment. The project is intended to foster a good research program in polymer engineering and train highly qualified personnel for Canadian industries.