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Polymerization Reactors: Example Problem

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Example Problem

Calculate molecular weight distribution, moments, degree of polymerization, average molecular weights and polydispersity for a simplified addition polymerization in a CSTR.

Feed concentration of monomer = 1.0 mol/L

Initiation rate constant = 0.01 s-1

Propagation rate constant = 0.1 L/(mol-s)

To simplify calculations, assume this is a living polymerization (i.e., no termination).

τ = 500 s        MW = 45 g/mol