Statistical Derivation of the Average Degree of Polymerization in a Stirred Tank Reactor

摘要

The statistical approach in its many forms has been a powerful tool in describing the structural evolution of nonlinear polymers, but has been limited in its application to batch processes. This restriction is removed by considering the paradigm of Af homopolymerization in a homogeneous stirred tank reactor. The number-and weight -average degrees of polymerization are derived from the recursive arguments which properly account for the non-random combination of monomers caused by the residence time distribution. The results are in agreement with those derived from the kinetic equations. This route is not necessarily a simpler or more powerful approach than solution of the kinetic equations, but it does provide new insights into this particular problem, as well as demonstrating the versatility of the statistical approach. (aw)