Numerical issues in solving population balance equations for particle size distribution control in emulsion polymerization

This work presents numerical studies of solutions to population balance models for latex particle size distributions, using styrene emulsion polymerization as a prototype. Emphasis is placed on control relevant issues such as computational speed and particle size distribution controllability. Simulation results using fixed and moving grid discretizations of the population balance equations are presented. Simulation experiments reveal controllability behavior that parallels recent theoretical results for controllability of particle size distributions in emulsion polymerization.