Source: Kerry M. Dooley and Michael G. Benton, Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA

Polymers are molecules consisting of many repeating monomer units that are chemically bonded into long chains. They exhibit a broad range of physical properties, which are affected by their chemical structure, molecular weight and degree of polymerization. The polymer industry manufactures thousands of raw materials used in a broad variety of commercial products.^1,2

The goal of this video is to perform an addition polymerization reaction and then evaluate the resulting product to understand how viscosity can be used to determine polymer molecular weight. Additionally, this experiment will investigate how molecular weight can be related to monomer conversion.

The system is controlled by running control sequences PS1-PS5 on a standard industrial distributed control system that is operated from a PC. The sequences open/close/adjust valves in the proper sequence and inform when and how to add components to the reactor.

1. Reactor Set-up

1. Open the N₂ cylinder connected to the reaction vessel.
2. Run the control sequence PS1 to test the equipment.
3. Then, close the manual valve to the vacuum pump to check that the sy

The molecular weight can be determined by empirical relationships, such as Barry's relationship for polydimethylsiloxanes with molecular weights above ~2,500.⁵

This gives the viscosity-average molecular weight. For molecular weight predictions < 2,500, i

Polymer science provides many examples of the basic principles of chemical kinetics and reactor design. Simple rate expressions can describe fairly complex chemical processes, as in this experiment. Reactor system design must find the optimal reactor type (batch, stirred tank, plug flow, or hybrid) considering kinetics, capital costs, and molecular weight distribution. In particular, the last factor is usually the most important, because it largely defines the product. Depending on this factor alone the product can often

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5. Barry, A.J., Viscometric Investigation of Dimethylsiloxane Polymers, J. Appl. Phys., 1946, 17, 1020-1024.
6. Kuo, A.C.M. Poly(dimethylsiloxane), in Polymer Data Handbook, Oxford University Press, 1999, 411.
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8. http://www.dowcorning.com/content/discover/discoverchem/properties.aspx (accessed 8/25/16)
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