SEQUENTIAL METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF OPERATING-CONDITIONS FOR OPTIMIZING END-USE PROPERTIES OF A TERPOLYMER

An efficient method based on tendency modelling is presented to design operating conditions aiming at optimization of end-use properties of a terpolymer used as a viscosity index improver. In order to implement this strategy, a copolymerization model and relationships between the terpolymer structure and the properties are set up according to a seq uential procedure. Six preliminary runs were required to start the pro cess. Further runs were performed according to the predictions of an a daptive tendency model in order to minimize a performance index relate d to reaction time and end-use properties of the terpolymer. It was fo und that quasi-optimal conditions were reached after only four runs ca lculated according to this method.