A continuous static polymerization reactor unit for the production of liquid
polymers,
in particular high viscosity organopolysiloxanes, in a predetermined viscosity
range comprises a reactor (1) a supply means (10,25) for supplying
monomers and/or oligomers to an inlet means (2), and an outlet means (5).
The inlet means (2) is adapted for the introduction of a reaction mixture
into a reaction chamber (3), and a means for introducing at least one viscosity
controlling agent into the supply means is provided to form a reaction mixture
with monomers and/or oligomers (11,13,15,12,14,16). The unit is adapted to maintain
the values of temperature and flow rate of the resulting reaction mixture/polymer
in the reaction chamber (3) substantially constant. A control means (24)
is used to detect any variation from a predetermined pressure drop value between
the inlet means (2) and the outlet means (5), and should such a variation
occur the control means (24) is also used to compute and control a compensating
rate of introduction of one or more of the at least one viscosity controlling agents
to cause the pressure drop between the inlet means (2) and the outlet means
(5) to revert to the predetermined value. A process for making liquid polymers
within a predetermined viscosity range is also disclosed.