Optimization of the Particle Size in Emulsion Polymerization

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-21-2014

Abstract

In general, the optimization of polymerization processes focuses on the determination of trade-offs between polydispersity, particle size, polymer composition, number average molar mass, and reaction time with reactor temperature and reactant flow rates as manipulated variables. The foregoing indicates that the implementation of process optimization for the optimal control of emulsion polymerization processes is relying on technological advancement in the areas of mathematical process modeling, soft-sensing, and model-based control. This chapter illustrates some of the most successful approaches and their application to the control of the particle size in emulsion polymerization. Here, the authors illustrate the modeling equations needed to capture the dynamics and evolution of the particle size distribution (PSD) in a semibatch reactor employing a zero-one emulsion polymerization process. The off-line dynamic optimization approach is introduced here to illustrate a strategy that can be followed to develop optimum operation trajectories to achieve a specific PSD shape.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Monitoring Polymerization Reactions: From Fundamentals to Applications

First Page

363

Last Page

380

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