Modeling of semibatch styrene suspension polymerization processes

Abstract We developed a mathematical model to describe the behavior of semibatch styrene suspension polymerization processes, where the constituents of a typical emulsion polymerization process are added into the reaction vessel during the course of a typical suspension reaction. This technique was recently described for the production of core–shell polymer particles. The model assumes that the nucleated emulsion particles can agglomerate with the sticky and much bigger suspension particles and that the agglomeration rate constant is a function of the internal states of the suspended droplets. The proposed model presented good agreement with experimental conversion, average molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution data. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1950–1967, 2005