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Mathematical Modeling and Optimization of a Semi-Batch Polymerization Reactor
Journal article

Mathematical Modeling and Optimization of a Semi-Batch Polymerization Reactor

Dwayne Tyner, Masoud Soroush, Michael C. Grady, John Richards and John P. Congalidis
IFAC Proceedings Volumes, v 33(10), pp 983-988
Jun 2000

Abstract

mathematical modeling optimal control polymerization reactor process optimization
This paper concerns mathematical modeling and optimization of a labscale and a pilot-scale semi-batch free-radical homo-polymerization reactors. A first-principles mathematical model is developed by using reaction rate laws available in polymerization literature. The model is validated by comparing the model predictions of monomer conversion, polymer mass fraction, number-average molecular weight, weight-average molecular weight, and polydispersity index to off-line measurements taken in pilot-scale and lab-scale polymerization reactors at DuPont’s Marshall Laboratory. The validated model is then used to calculate optimal initiator and monomer feed-rate policies which minimize the polydispersity index of the final polymer product, subject to a set of tight operational constraints.

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