IMPROVED PROCESS-CONTROL IN POLYOLEFIN POLYMERIZATION BY ONLINE FOURIER-TRANSFORM INFRARED-SPECTROSCOPY

On-line process analyzers have an increasingly important role to play in the chemical industry by helping to improve product quality, reduce material costs, and reduce processing time. In this work, we describe the use of a process Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) system to mon itor the principal monomer and co-monomer in the feed stream of a poly olefin process. Product density and type changes are controlled throug h closed-loop control of the co-monomer and total monomer ratio. We wi ll discuss the calibration of the FT-IR system and the use of dynamic simulations to model analyzer performance relative to improved process control. Improvements in product density control and time required fo r type changes using the FT-IR system will be demonstrated.