Continuous process and device for the manufacture of a vinyl chloride polymer in aqueous suspension

摘要

In the manufacture of polymer suspensions, good spacetime yields, a narrow particle size distribution and good polymer properties are obtained in a relatively uncomplicated apparatus which includes a plurality of reactors having a length/diameter ratio of at least 4, the first reactor standing vertically and the others approximately horizontally. Plug flow of the polymerization mixture is maintained in the reaction zones provided by the reactors. In the first such zone, up to 10% of the polymerization is carried out, with agitation, preferably at a stirring energy per unit volume of 0.1 to 5 kWm-3. Wall encrustation is substantially prevented, particularly in the second reaction zone, through the use of smooth, non-metallic surfaces in the zone.