Abstract
A phenomenological model was developed to describe the dynamic evolution of the batch suspension polymerization of methyl methacrylate in terms of reactor temperature, pressure, concentrations and molecular properties of the final polymer. Then, the phenomenological model was used as a process constraint in dynamic data reconciliation procedures, which allowed for the successful monitoring of reaction variables in real-time and on-line. The obtained results indicate that heat transfer coefficients change significantly during the reaction time and from batch to batch, exerting a tremendous impact on the process operation. Obtained results also indicate that it can be difficult to attain thermodynamic equilibrium conditions in this system, because of the continuous condensation of evaporated monomer and the large mass transfer resistance offered by the viscous suspended droplets.
Highlights
Polymer materials are process products, as there are strong correlations between the final resin properties and the process operation conditions [1]
It was shown that the simultaneous monitoring of different process variables can be performed successfully in batch suspension polymerizations of methyl methacrylate at different operating conditions, with help of a phenomenological process model and of dynamic data reconciliation procedures
The data reconciliation procedure relied on three process inputs usually available at the plant site and could be solved in a desktop computer in less than 2 s with help of the stochastic particle swarm optimization procedure, allowing for implementation in real-time and on-line
Summary
Polymer materials are process products, as there are strong correlations between the final resin properties and the process operation conditions [1]. Data reconciliation techniques combine the available process measurements and a suitable process model to allow for estimation of process states and process parameters [13,14] This can allow for the monitoring of unmeasured variables (such as the end-use and molecular properties of the polymer material), allowing for the enhancement of process reliability (as measured data are checked with the process model, which can include mass and energy balance equations). The obtained results indicate the potential application of the proposed data reconciliation scheme as a soft-sensor for batch suspension methyl methacrylate polymerization processes, for monitoring and control purposes, allowing for improvement of the operating strategies of the plant As shown the obtained results indicate the potential application of the proposed data reconciliation scheme as a soft-sensor for batch suspension methyl methacrylate polymerization processes, for monitoring and control purposes, allowing for improvement of the operating strategies of the plant
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