Determining Operating Conditions for Continuous Free Radical Polymerization with Specified Values of Molecular Weight Distribution Parameters

Abstract

In this study, we determine the operating conditions required to produce polymers with specific molecular weight distribution parameters in a continuous free radical polymerization reactor. Structural analysis of the mathematical model reveals that in the case of free radical polymerization that does not involve a termination-by-combination reaction, we cannot determine the set of operating conditions required for the production of polymers with a specific number-average molecular weight (M_n) and polydispersity index (PDI).