Fundamental Modeling of Solid-State Polymerization Process Systems for Polyesters and Polyamides

The dissertation describes and assembles the building blocks for sound and accurate models for solid-state polymerization process systems of condensation polymers, particularly poly(ethylene terephthalate) and nylon-6. The work centers on an approach for modeling commercial-scale, as opposed to laboratory-scale, systems. The focus is not solely on coupled polymerization and diffusion, but extends to crystallization, physical properties, and phase equilibrium, which all enhance the robustness of the complete model. There are three applications demonstrating the utility of the model for a variety of real, industrial plant operations. One of the validated simulation models is for commercial production of three different grades of solid-state PET. There are also validated simulation models for the industrial leaching and solid-state polymerization of nylon-6 covering a range of operating conditions. The results of these studies justify our mixing-cell modeling approach as well as the inclusion of all relevant fundamental concepts. The first several chapters discuss in detail the engineering fundamentals that we must consider for modeling these polymerization process systems. These include physical properties, phase equilibrium, crystallization, diffusion, polymerization, and additional modeling considerations. The last two chapters cover the modeling applications.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemical Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Chemical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Lucas, Bruce

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Liu, Y. A.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Baird, Donald G.
• Davis, Richey M.
• McGrath, James E.
• Long, Timothy E.

• nylon-6
• poly(ethylene terephthalate)
• polymerization kinetics
• crystallization kinetics
• Simulation
• model
• diffusion
• physical properties

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-10262005-082012

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/29378