(181bn) Simulation and Control of a Batch Suspension Polymerization Reactor

In the present work, we study the effects of operating parameters such as temperature, mixer speed, initial concentration of initiator, chain transfer agent and stabilizer on two important polymerization metrics, i.e. molecular weight and particle size distributions. We implement mechanistic approach in the utilized models and integrate reaction mechanism with population balance to simulate a batch suspension reactor. Our simulation results will be compared with experimental data. We also present an optimal control strategy that leads to bimodal molecular weight distribution with desire particle size distributions.