In process monitoring of Nylon polymerisation

Background and objectives:

• Study dynamic behaviour during nylon polymerisation.
• Aggressive environment:
   - 250°C
   - 20 bar pressure
   - Reactive chemicals
• Control product quality.
• Improve energy efficiency by reducing the time for polymerisation.
• Image a multi-phase flow with physical and chemical process varying in time.

Results

• Resistance and capacitance measurements were taken.
• The sequence on the left shows capacitance images near the end of the polymerisation process where pressure is reduced whilst temperature is maintained at approx 250°C.
• Change from "red" to "blue" indicative of reducing water content.
• Process complete after 2 hours