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Computation of the near‐optimal temperature and initiator policies for a batch polymerization reactor
Author(s) -
Thomas Isabelle M.,
Kiparissides Costas
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
the canadian journal of chemical engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.404
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1939-019X
pISSN - 0008-4034
DOI - 10.1002/cjce.5450620217
Subject(s) - discretization , optimal control , polymerization , hamiltonian (control theory) , batch reactor , computation , interval (graph theory) , control theory (sociology) , temperature control , mathematics , point (geometry) , polymer , mathematical optimization , materials science , computer science , control (management) , thermodynamics , mathematical analysis , chemistry , physics , algorithm , catalysis , geometry , biochemistry , combinatorics , artificial intelligence , composite material
Optimal control theory is applied to a batch polymerization reactor for PMMA to calculate the near‐optimal temperature and initiator policies that are required to produce a polymer with a desired final conversion, and desired number average and weight average molecular weights. The two‐point boundary value problem that results from the application of the Pontryagin minimum principle to the mathematical model of the reactor is solved by the discretization control method. According to this, the total reaction time is divided into N equal subintervals. It is assumed that the control variables remain constant in each interval and the Hamiltonian is minimized by a first‐order gradient technique. It is shown that the introduction of the “target set” concept, which is well suited to industrial practice, simplifies the numerical solution of the TPBV problem. Results of the simulations demonstrate the potential gains possible from the application of the optimal control theory to the batch polymerization of PMMA.