Abstract
Dynamic optimization of the emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate in a pilot scale stirred-tank reactor was studied. The objective function was defined in order to minimize the reaction time. The polymerization reactor was modeled concluding that the effect of the heat removal is decisive to regulate the quality characteristics of the product. The optimization was performed offline using an optimal control dynamic optimization method, selecting as manipulated variables the heat exchange fluid rate and the feeding flow rates of initiator and monomer. The objective function was subjected to several constraints: the heating time until the system reached the activation temperature, final solids content, final product viscosity and final monomer conversion. As a result, it was determined that the polymer could be produced with a maximum time reduction of 29%. The reduction of time affected the polymer final viscosity dropping it, due to an increase in the number of free radicals which intensified the termination reaction rate. Finally, an experimental validation at pilot scale reactor was made showing good results in terms of the polymer end-properties, in accordance to those obtained via dynamic optimization.
Published Version
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