Fouling during solution polymerization in continuously operated reactors

Abstract

Specialty polymers are mostly produced in discontinuous processes in tank reactors due to the need for flexibility in the production of this product class. Milli-structured, continuously operated reactors are promising alternatives for process intensification to increase energy efficiency and space-time-yield, reduce time-to-market for new products and maintain flexibility. A major obstacle for the transfer of batch processes to such reactor systems is the formation of fouling deposits, which grow and block the reactor. To overcome this obstacle, knowledge of the mechanisms of the formation of fouling deposits is essential. In this thesis, fouling during the polymerization of N-Vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) in aqueous solution is studied both experimentally and in simulations to gain insight into the underlying mechanism, find a model-based description of this mechanism and make suggestions how to prevent or at least decrease the formation of fouling deposits. First, results from experiments in different kinds of tank and tubular reactors are presented. In all these reactor systems, fouling deposits are formed by an insoluble polymer gel, which adheres strongly to metal surfaces. Initially, the polymer gel is formed in regions with increased local residence time, e.g. in dead-water zones of static mixer elements, at baffles of tank reactors or at walls of tubular reactors without mixer elements. Once fouling deposits have been formed, they grow by reaction and lead to clogging of tubular reactors systems. Since a polymer gel is formed, side reactions that lead to high-molecular and branched polymer chains must play an important role for the formation of deposits. Kinetic models that are based on a recently suggested reaction mechanism and predict microstructural property distribution are presented and validated using continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) experiments. The results confirm the suggested reaction mechanism in which creation and propagation of terminal double bonds lead to branched or crosslinked polymer chains. Although gelation of the bulk phase does not occur, fouling deposits are formed at the baffles of the tank reactor and in other poorly mixed regions of the reactor. This observation emphasizes the importance of the flow pattern and diffusive mass transport for the formation of fouling deposits. To demonstrate the interplay of the flow pattern, the reaction and diffusive mass transport, simulations using a transient CFD solver including a reduced version of the reaction kinetics model together with a model for diffusive mass transport are presented. The mass transport model is able to describe diffusive transport of statistical moments and is, therefore, consistent with the reaction kinetics model. Simulations in different two-dimensional geometries confirm that regions with increased local residence time lead to the formation of polymer gels. These regions, e.g. regions close to reactor walls or dead-water zones, cause concentration gradients, which induce mass transport between such regions and the bulk phase. Due to their lower diffusion coefficients in comparison to low molecular species, polymer molecules accumulate in these regions, which increases the viscosity locally. Because of the viscosity gradients, the flow pattern is distorted and the size of regions with increased residence time expands. The combination of an increased residence time, high polymer and low monomer contents promotes the formation of polymer gels by side reactions. Together with the adhesion of macromolecules on metal surfaces, this seems to be the relevant mechanism for the formation of fouling deposits. Therefore, strategies to decrease fouling should focus on surface modifications, which reduce adhesion of macromolecules, as well as the elimination of dead-water zones and viscosity gradients.