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Estimation of the molecular weight distribution in batch polymerization
Author(s) -
Ellis Mark F.,
Taylor Tad W.,
Gonzalez Victor,
Jensen Klavs F.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.690340812
Subject(s) - polymerization , molar mass distribution , monomer , bulk polymerization , radical polymerization , chemistry , materials science , polymer chemistry , thermodynamics , polymer , organic chemistry , physics
A filtering technique is proposed for on‐line estimation of the temperature, monomer conversion, initiator conversion, and the entire molecular weight distribution in a batch methyl methacrylate polymerization reactor. The technique uses a detailed polymerization model combined with on‐line measurements of conversion, temperature, and the molecular weight distribution, taken at different discrete time intervals. The polymerization model includes a chain‐length‐dependent termination rate constant which allows the prediction of the molecular weight distribution for common free‐radical polymerization conditions. Comparisons between modeling and experimental results show that the polymerization model gives good predictions of the monomer conversion and the molecular weight distribution in the polymerization system. The performance of the estimation scheme is tested for cases of strong gel effect conditions leading to a bimodal molecular weight distribution, and poor initial conditions. Finally, off‐line experimental data are used to test the algorithm under actual reactor operating conditions.