Polymer Technology

Plastics are new and economical materials of construction to the engineer and designer. Plastics replace metals and other materials in some cases. The use of plastic material for specific application IS dependent upon its composition, properties, and design of part.
Like any chemical manufacturing plant, designing of plastics or polymers plant involves the consideration of following factors.
1. Basic chemical data, material balances, energy balances
2. Reactor designing involves selection between batch and continuous reactor.
3. Chemical process and equipment selection, design and
operation.
4. Process control and operation.
5. Market evaluation and costing.
6. Packaging, sales and customer service.
7. Plant location, safety hazards, and environment pollution.
8. Research and development

Some aspects like solids handling, storage, packaging and transportation in plastics industries are very specific. They differ from the petrochemical products.

Selection and designing of reactors for polymerization is main and important aspect of polymer manufacturing plant. Reactor selection depends upon the quantity of production desired, phases of reactants and products (gas, liquid or solid).
The polymerization reactors are classified as batch and continuous reactors. The continuous reactors are further classified as TubularFlow or Plug-Flow reactors and Continuous Stirred- Tank reactors.

Polymerization Reactors

1. Batch Reactors
2. Continuous Reactors
   1. Plug-Flow Reactors (PFR)
   2. Continuous Stirred-Tank Reactors (CSTR)

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