Graft Copolymerization of Styrene and Acrylonitrile in the Presence of Poly(propylene glycol): Modeling and Simulation of Semi-Batch and Continuous Processes

An existing kinetic model for graft free-radical copolymerization of styrene (St) and acrylonitrile (AN) in the presence of poly(propylene glycol) is extended to describe the semi-batch process and to simulate the continuous process. A good predictive ability of the model for the semi-batch process is demonstrated by comparing with experimental data, except for $\overline {M} _{{\rm w}} $ and polydispersity index at St/AN?=?60/40?wt% in the feed. The continuous process is simulated under various reaction conditions. The solid content increases sharply with increasing monomer concentration. With decreasing St/AN weight ratio, the graft efficieny increases sharply and $\overline {M} _{{\rm w}} $ decreases.