Modeling Crosslinking Polymerization in Batch and Continuous Reactors

A new pseudo-distribution approach is applied to the modeling of crosslinking copolymerization of vinyl and divinyl monomer and compared to Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. With the number of free pending double bonds as the main distribution variable, a rigorous solution of the three leading moments of the molecular size distribution becomes possible. Validation takes place with data of methyl methacrylate with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. Well within the sol regime perfect agreement is found, but near the gelpoint larger discrepancies do appear. This is probably due to the existence of multiradicals that are not taken into account in the population balance approaches.