Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, Vol.45, No.25, 8539-8553, 2006
Dynamic modeling and experimental validation of the MMA cell-cast process for plastic sheet production
The dynamic modeling and experimental validation of the model response of the poly( methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) cell-cast process for plastic sheet production is presented. It is based on the straightforward initiation, propagation, and termination reaction polymerization mechanism. The sheet molding process was modeled by a two-dimensional dynamic mathematical model able to predict conversion, temperature, and molecular weight averages. The mathematical model is cast as a partial differential equations (PDEs) system that is discretized using the numerical method of lines. The resulting set of ordinary differential equations, representing the heat and mass balances for this polymerization system, are then solved by standard ordinary differential equations (ODE) solvers. Comparison of the model prediction capabilities against experimental temperature measurements taken at the extremes of the PMMA sheet being produced are presented.