2134/17590
Radoslav Paulen
Radoslav
Paulen
Brahim Benyahia
Brahim
Benyahia
M. Abderrazak Latifi
M. Abderrazak
Latifi
Miroslav Fikar
Miroslav
Fikar
Analysis of optimal operation of a fed-batch emulsion copolymerization reactor used for production of particles with core-shell morphology
Loughborough University
2015
Emulsion copolymerization
Dynamic optimization
Chain transfer agent
Fedbatch process
Control vector parameterization
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering not elsewhere classified
2015-05-22 14:03:43
Journal contribution
https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/Analysis_of_optimal_operation_of_a_fed-batch_emulsion_copolymerization_reactor_used_for_production_of_particles_with_core-shell_morphology/9223631
In this paper dynamic optimization of a lab-scale semi-batch emulsion copolymerization
reactor for styrene and butyl acrylate in the presence of a chain transfer agent (CTA) is studied. The mathematical model of the process, previously developed and experimentally validated, is used to predict the glass transition temperature of produced polymer, the number and weight average
molecular weights, the monomers global conversion, the particle size distribution,
and the amount of residual monomers. The model is implemented within gPROMS environment for modeling and optimization. It is desired to compute feed rate profiles of pre-emulsioned monomers, inhibitor and CTA
that will allow the production of polymer particles with prescribed core-shell
morphology with high productivity. The results obtained for different operating conditions and various additional product specifications are presented. The resulting feeding profiles are analyzed from the perspective of the nature of emulsion polymerization process and some interesting conclusions are drawn.