Investigation on Catalyst Selection for Polymerization Processes in Petrochemical Industries

Ukpaka C. P.

Abstract

Organic polymers are long-chain compounds made of several repeating units. These polymers are either natural, such as protein, cellulose, starch or synthetic, such as polyethylene (a plastic), polyesters and polyamides (plastics and fibers) and polybutadiene (rubber).Many organic compounds possessing multiple bonds have the tendency to polymerize in the presence of an initiator. Polymerization of these compounds can either be affected by the use of chemical initiators such as free radicals and some ionic compounds or by irradiation. Visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, γ-ray irradiation etc. could be used to start free radical polymerizations.Ionic type initiators are customarily termed catalysts although in the true sense they are not, since the initiator species are not fully recovered. However, the words ‘catalyst’ and ‘initiator’ will be used interchangeably in the course of this work.Condensation polymerization of compounds having at least two functional groups is usually initiated with true catalysts such as Bronsted and Lewis acids. An example of this polymerization type is the condensation of a dicarboxylic acid and a diol which produces a polyester.The building units for polymers are simple molecules which are termed monomers. Polymers represent the end products of a great number of monomers produced via different petrochemical routes.Commercial polymers add to the comfort of human beings. New industries have been built based on polymers. Many products of a natural origin (cotton, wool, iron, aluminum, etc) have been either partially or totally replaced by different polymeric materials, produced from petrochemical sources. Key words: Investigation, catalyst selection, polymerization, processes, petrochemical, industries

Investigation on Catalyst Selection for Polymerization Processes in Petrochemical Industries

Abstract

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Abstract

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