Modeling of a Buss-Kneader as a polymerization reactor for acrylates. Part 1: Model validation

The Buss-Kneader is generally known as a compounding device. Although a reasonable number of papers have been published on extruders as polymerization reactors, only little is known about the behavior of the Buss-Kneader when used as a polymerization reactor. Its good mixing properties in the radial and axial directions make it a suitable reactor for exothermal polymerization reactions. This paper describes experiments with the co-polymerization of n-butyl acrylate and hydroxyethyl methacrylate in a Buss-Kneader. For model calculations the Buss-Kneader was treated as a plug flow reactor with axial dispersion. Experimental results on axial temperature profile, monomer conversion and molecular weight are compared with model calculations. Model parameters are based on independently measured data on the heat transfer coefficient, axial dispersion and polymerization kinetics.