Reactive Flash Simulation of the Continuous Melt Transesterification Process of Polycarbonate*

A model of the continuous melt transesterification process of bisphenol-A and diphenyl carbonate in a continuous stirred tank reactor to produce polycarbonate is presented. The model is developed by using the molecular species model of polycarbonate melt polycondensation and the modeling method of reactive flash. Liquid phase is treated as perfect mixed flow and the vapor phase is assumed following the ideal gas law. With this model, the continuous melt transesterification process of bisphenol-A and diphenyl carbonate is examined with respect to different process parameters.