PROCESS FOR THE CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION OF POLYESTERS.

摘要

Continuous process for the ring-opening polymerisation of cyclic ester monomers to form aliphatic polyesters at a temperature between 100-240°C which comprises the steps of : a) continuously providing cyclic ester monomer and polymerisation catalyst to a continuous mixing reactor, the reactor being operated at conditions effective for polymerisation to form a pre-polymerised reaction mixture, b) continuously removing pre-polymerised reaction mixture from the continuous mixing reactor and continuously providing pre-polymerised reaction mixture to a plug flow reactor, the plug flow reactor being operated under polymerisation conditions, wherein the reaction mixture is polymerised to a degree of polymerisation of at least 90%, to form polymer c) continuously removing polymer from the plug flow reactor.