Increase in viscosity and its influence on polymerization processes

Abstract In the course of polymerization in homogeneous systems, the viscosity of the reaction mass increases by several orders of magnitude. The viscosity increase is affected by reaction conditions, concentration and properties of the formed polymer. Empirical correlations for homogeneous and heterogeneous polymerizations are given. Viscosity significantly affects the polymerization kinetics as well as heat, mass and momentum balances of the polymerization reactor. The influence of viscosity and its increase on conductive heat transfer, stirrer power input and cooling capacity, molecular diffusion and mass transfer coefficients, mixing time and residence time distribution in homogeneous and heterogeneous polymerizations in stirred tank and tubular reactors is reviewed.