Application of experimental non-linear control based on generic algorithm to a polymerization reactor

Abstract

The dynamics of free radical polymerization of styrene and on-line control of temperature in a cooling jacketed batch polymerization reactor is investigated. The benzoyl peroxide initiator is introduced into the reactor once at the beginning of the reaction to obtain the desired monomer conversion and the desired average chain length in a minimum reaction time. The optimal constant set temperature, which is generally realized in industrial applications, and the set profile are used as two different optimal operating conditions. The temperature control of the polymerization reactor is achieved experimentally and theoretically. The control of nonlinear systems has progressed considerably, and various nonlinear process model based control techniques have appeared in the literature. The problem is how to tune the controller in order to obtain comparable closed loop responses. Generic model control (GMC) is applied and the performance of the control results are compared with the previously published control results.

Rationalization of solvent effects in the solution polymerization of styrene

“…This fact seems lost on previous research efforts. This is evident in most of the reported literature on various aspects of solution polymerization of styrene as toluene is the common solvent used [3][4][5][6][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. There are, however, few reports in the literature where other solvents are used in styrene polymerization to achieve specific ends.…”

Optimization and control of polystyrene batch reactor using hybrid based model

“…In batch polymerization, the optimization problem is identified as the time dependent control actions which maximize product quality and minimize production time (Amrehn, 1977). For past seven years, researchers used solely the PMP to solve their optimal control problem (Özkan et al, 2001, Özkan et al, 2006, AltInten et al, 2003, Altinten et al, 2006, AltInten et al, 2008a, Zeybek et al, 2004, Zeybek et al, 2006, Özkan et al, 2009. Method of Pontryagin's Minimum Principle PMP) was heavily used in work of styrene polymerization in a solution batch reactor.…”