| abstract |
The present invention relates to a polyester process utilizing a tubular reactor in the esterification step, the polycondensation step or both the esterification and polycondensation steps. The tubular reactor method of the present invention has a number of advantages over the prior art methods, including improved heat transfer, volume control, agitation and release functions. The tubular reactor method and apparatus of the present invention can be constructed and operated at much lower cost than conventional polyester methods. |