An Analysis of Partially Illuminated Photoreactor with Photosensitized Polymerization

Abstract

To discuss the influence of non-uniform distribution of light-induced chain reaction, experiments were carried out on photosensitized polymerization of methyl methacrylate in a partially illuminated photoreactor with different stirring speeds and different illuminated volumes. Theoretical analysis was made by a dimensionless formula of light zone and dark zone with the recirculation model proposed. From analyses of the experimental results of initial polymerization rate, number average degree of polymerization and molecular weight distribution in low polymerization-conversion, the effectiveness of a calculation formula using the circulation time distribution in a photoreactor is discussed. The experimental values agreed relatively better with the predicted ones in larger illuminated areas.