Paper to the Institution of Chemical Engineers Research Event/First European Conference, Edinburgh, 104, 4th-6th January 1995.
S F Bush, with O K Ademosu
Abstract
Process Pathways Analysis generalizes the familiar concept of reaction pathway to allow changes in physical state to be described in broadly the same way as chemical changes. While applicable to all chemical processes, the approach is particularly relevant to polymerization, where the product is required in specific physical as well as chemical forms, and where the phases in which reactions may be carried out – solution, suspension, melt, liquid, gas – greatly affect the viability of candidate processes. Five processes for making Styrene-Maleic Anhydride copolymers have been explored using the PPA approach. Experimental and predicted results are compared for key chemical and physical properties.