Some performance aspects of the extruder as a reactor

Continuous flow reactors are increasingly utilized for polymerization. Two aspects of reactor performance are considered here, with major emphasis on the screw extruder as a reactor. First, the effect of residence time distribution is discussed, and comparative calculations are made for several flow reactors using a simple model for a polycondensation reaction. We conclude that the extruder behaves nearly as a plug flow reactor. Second, the effect of viscous heating in the extruder is accounted for, in the limiting case of adiabatic operation. A model for the effect of heating on conversion is developed, and some implications for scale‐up are noted.