Solution polymerization of methyl methacrylate at high conversion in a recycle tubular reactor

The kinetics of the solution polymerization of methyl-methacrylate is characterized by a strong increase of viscosity up to 6 orders of magnitude and auto-acceleration of the reaction rate due to the gel-effect. This can lead to thermal and kinetic reactor instabilities. The kinetics were determined separately using a differential scanning calorimeter and described with a modified published model. The model predictions are verified in pilot plant experiments in a temperature range from 130-170 “C.