This reference/text cites recent applications for extruders as polymerization, modification, and degradation reactors, presenting a telling array of new research results and illustrative experimental examples. Organized in three parts — which address the basic chemical phenomena involved in reactive extrusion, the mechanisms involved in particular reactions, and approaches to advanced engineering problems — it sheds light on the complex set of interactions underlying reactions in extruders.

From the Preface: “...The main advantage of using extruders instead of conventional reactors is the ability to work without solvents. An extra separation step thus becomes superfluous, and the process becomes more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Other advantages are continuous operation, the relative insensitivity to viscosity changes, a large heat-transfer area, and well-defined shear levels...”

Target Audience: Mechanical and chemical engineers, scientists, and technologists working with reactive extrusion; also upper-level students in these disciplines.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

The Basics:

Extruders

Chemical Kinetics

Rheology and Rheokinetics

Mixing and Reactions

Heat Balances and Heat Transfer

Applications:

Chain-Growth Homopolymerizations

Copolymerizations

Step-Growth Polymerizations

Modification Reactions

Reactive Compounding

Advanced Problems:

Scale-Up

Stability

Economic Feasibility

Index