On-Line Copolymer Composition Control in the Semicontinuous Emulsion Copolymerization of Ethyl Acrylate and Methyl Methacrylate

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A closed-loop strategy for copolymer composition control in semicontinuous emulsion polymerization systems is presented. This strategy is based on a non-linear adaptive plus proportional-integral controller that calculates the flow rate of the more reactive monomer to be added into the reactor to produce a copolymer of a given composition. The non-linear adaptive part of the controller is based on a simplified mathematical model of the process that includes an on-line adjustable parameter. The controller was checked by computer simulation and also experimentally verified during the semicontinuous emulsion copolymerization of ethyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate carried out in a computer controlled experimental setup using both purified and technical grade monomers.