Abstract

In order to decrease the manufacturing cost, the molten poly(ethylene terephthalate)(PET) produced by batch process is stored in a large tank named Pool Tank for after treatment to bring about a continuous manufacture. The alterations of quality happened during the storage should be precisely controlled. In this paper, a method for prediction of fluctuation of molten PET properties with computer simulation only was designed. First of all, a new reaction model which could present the mechanism of polycondensation occurred in Pool Tank was proposed. Then, reaction rate constants were determined by experiments according to the optimization procedure and subsequently, applied to the simulation of storage of molten PET. The fluctuation of intrinsic viscosity and concentration of carboxyl terminal groups of molten PET was predicted. Meanwhile, some useful information for the design of storing tank could be obtained.

Recommended Citation

Yamada, Toshiro; Hao, Lifei; Tada, Kaoru ; and Konagaya, Shigeji (2005) "Simulation of the Storage of Molten Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate)," International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering: Vol. 3: A2.
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/ijcre/vol3/A2