Optimal control of a high-temperature semi-batch solution polymerization reactor

This paper deals with the calculation and real-time implementation of optimal temperature and feed flow rate policies for a high-temperature, n-butyl acrylate, semibatch, solution, polymerization reactor. A mechanistic model for solution polymerization of alkyl acrylates in a (semi) batch reactor is derived based on a proposed complex reaction mechanism. The model parameters (reaction rate constants) are estimated from off-line measurements of conversion, average molecular weights, number of terminal double bonds and number of branching points. The model is validated against measurements made in regions different from those of the measurements used for the parameter estimation. By using the model, optimal profiles of reactor temperature and three feed (solvent, monomer solution and initiator solution) flow rates that minimize a multi-objective performance index, are calculated.