Lombardi, Lorenzo (2023) Foam-enhanced polymer devolatilization. From single bubble analysis to high-efficiency devolatilizer. [Tesi di dottorato]

[thumbnail of Lombardi_Lorenzo_35.pdf]
Anteprima
Testo
Lombardi_Lorenzo_35.pdf

Download (7MB) | Anteprima
Tipologia del documento: Tesi di dottorato
Lingua: English
Titolo: Foam-enhanced polymer devolatilization. From single bubble analysis to high-efficiency devolatilizer
Autori:
Autore
Email
Lombardi, Lorenzo
lorenzo.lombardi@unina.it
Data: 10 Marzo 2023
Numero di pagine: 162
Istituzione: Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II
Dipartimento: Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale
Dottorato: Ingegneria dei prodotti e dei processi industriali
Ciclo di dottorato: 35
Coordinatore del Corso di dottorato:
nome
email
D'Anna, Andrea
anddanna@unina.it
Tutor:
nome
email
Maffettone, Pier Luca
[non definito]
Tammaro, Daniele
[non definito]
Data: 10 Marzo 2023
Numero di pagine: 162
Parole chiave: devolatilization, separation, polymers, foams, bubbles
Settori scientifico-disciplinari del MIUR: Area 09 - Ingegneria industriale e dell'informazione > ING-IND/26 - Teoria dello sviluppo dei processi chimici
Depositato il: 21 Mar 2023 09:42
Ultima modifica: 10 Apr 2025 12:42
URI: http://www.fedoa.unina.it/id/eprint/15070

Abstract

Most polymerization products must undergo a devolatilization process designed to remove solvents and residual monomers to comply with environmental regulations. Under very stringent process conditions such as high temperature and vacuum, a multiphase gas-liquid system occurs, such as a foam. Although nonaqueous foams have recently received attention, the influence of volatile components lacks the fundamental understanding to control foam properties. In this dissertation, the process of static devolatilization of polymers is treated in its design aspects. A new tabletop static devolatilizer is presented to measure separation efficiency under various operating conditions. The measurement capabilities of the equipment are demonstrated by varying the initial concentration of volatiles, the degree of vacuum, and the design of the equipment. Work was also done to improve the current understanding of the thermodynamics and kinetics of gas sorption in commercial elastomers commonly found in devolatilization processes. Experimental sorption isotherms were interpreted using the non-random lattice fluid equation of state. Absorption kinetics were also studied and interpreted using a Fick's model that determines values of mutual diffusivity as a function of temperature and mixture composition. Another study was performed as part of this dissertation to investigate the physical mechanism leading to foam stabilization and liquid film drainage in binary mixtures with volatile compounds. Using an improved interferometry apparatus, we show that the foamability of polymer-volatile mixtures can be assessed by single bubble experiments. Two different solvents with different degrees of volatility were investigated, shedding light on surface bubble stabilization mechanisms.

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Actions (login required)

Modifica documento Modifica documento