Faculty: Dr. A. E. Hamielec

Professor Emeritus
Department of Chemical Engineering

Director of the McMaster Institute for Polymer Production Technology (MIPPT)

Brockhouse Institute Member

office: JHE-A105C
email: hamielec@mcmaster.ca
voice: 905-525-9140 ext 24950

B.A.Sc. University of Toronto (1957), M.A.Sc. University of Toronto (1958), Ph.D.University of Toronto (1961), F.R.S.C., F.C.I.C., P.Eng.

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Research Projects

McMaster Institute for Polymer Production Technology

The objectives of the Institute include the development of advanced polymer
manufacturing processes using pilot-scale reactors and comprehensive deterministic
models of the polymerization reactions for design, optimization and control. The emphasis
is on the production of specialty organic and water - soluble co and terpolymers with
applications in coatings, adhesives, microelectronics and water treatment. The Institute
was founded in 1982 and already has had over 20 sponsoring firms located in Europe,
USA and Canada. The Institute facilities provide graduate students with a unique
opportunity to work with a computer controlled pilot plant.

Development of Production Processes for Polymerization

The Institute develops production processes under contract to companies. Of
particular recent interest has been the use of metallocene catalysis.

Development of Polymer Reaction Models

The objective is to develop models which give accurate predictions of polymerization
rates and polymer properties under synthesis conditions far removed from those
used in model parameter estimation. This requires the incorporation of the detailed
chemistry and physics involved in the microscopic processes which control the growth
of polymer chain microstructure. Extensive experimentation on polymerization kinetics
and polymer characterization on bench and pilot-scale is required.

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Selected Publications

Soares, J.B.P. and A.E. Hamielec, "General Dynamic Mathematical Modeling of
Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Ziegler-Natta Copolymeriztion with Multiple Site
Types and Mass and Heat Transfer Resistances", Polymer Reaction Engineering,
3, 261-324, (1995).

Vela Estrada, J.M. and A.E. Hamielec, "Modeling of Ethylene Polymerization with
Cp2ZrCl2/MAO Catalyst", Polymer, 35, 808-818, (1994).

Zhu, S. and A.E. Hamielec, "Modeling of Free-Radical Polymerization with Branching:
Stationary-State Hypothesis and Monoradical Assumption", Macromolecules, 26,
3131-3136, (1993).

Hamielec, A.E., P.E. Gloor and S. Zhu, "Kinetics of Free Radical Modification of
Polyolefins in Extruders - Chain Scission, Crosslinking and Grafting", Can. J. Chem.
Eng., 69, 611-618, (1991).

Xie, T.Y., A.E. Hamielec, P.E. Wood and D.R. Woods, "Experimental Investigation of
Vinyl Chloride Polymerization of High Conversion - Reactor Dynamics", J. Appl. Poly.
Sci., 43, 1259-1269, (1991).

Tobita, H., and A.E. Hamielec, "Kinetics of Free-Radical Copolymerization: the
Pseudo Kinetic Rate Constant Method", Polymer, 32, 2641-2647, (1991).

Villalobos, M.A., A.E. Hamielec and P.E. Wood, "Kinetic Model for Short-Cycle Bulk
Styrene Polymerization through Bifunctional Initiators", J. Appl. Poly. Sci., 42, 629-641, (1991).

Zhu, S., Y. Tian, A.E. Hamielec and D.R. Eaton, "Radical Concentrations in Free Radical
Copolymerization of MMA/EGDMA", Polymer, 31, 154-159, (1990).1992).

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