Modeling and optimization of fed-batch emulsion copolymerization of styrene and butyl acrylate in the presence of a chain transfer agent

This paper deals with mathematical modeling and experimental validation of a fed-batch emulsion copolymerization reactor of styrene and butyl acrylate in the presence of n-C12 mercaptan as a chain transfer agent.. The model is used to predict the global monomers conversion, the average molecular weights, the particle size distribution and the amount of residual monomers. A subset of the most influential parameters of the model is determined using a parameter estimability approach and identified by minimizing the errors between the predicted and measured data. Some parameters are also obtained from literature. The model is then validated by batch and fed-batch experimental measurements.