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Single‐Point Intrinsic Viscosity and Density Measurements for In‐Line MIMO Control Purposes of a Lumped‐Distributed Polymeric System
Author(s) -
Vega Márcia P.,
Bellumat Ernanda,
Lima Enrique L.,
Pinto José Carlos
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
macromolecular reaction engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.37
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1862-8338
pISSN - 1862-832X
DOI - 10.1002/mren.201200041
Subject(s) - densitometer , viscosity , polymerization , materials science , intrinsic viscosity , line (geometry) , molar mass distribution , control theory (sociology) , mechanics , chemistry , polymer chemistry , thermodynamics , polymer , mathematics , computer science , composite material , physics , optics , control (management) , artificial intelligence , geometry
Simulation and experimental studies are carried out for peroxide‐initiated styrene solution polymerization in a lumped‐distributed reactor. Weight‐average molecular weight (intrinsic viscosity measurements) and conversion (density data) are the output signals, while the manipulated variables are jacket reactor temperature and feed modifier ( tert‐ dodecylmercaptan) concentration. A simple in‐line viscometrical method makes the in‐line control of weight‐average molecular weight in solution polymerization feasible, using independent conversion measurements from an in‐line densitometer. Successful closed‐loop servo and regulatory control results are obtained.