M. Soroush et C. Kravaris, OPTIMAL-DESIGN AND OPERATION OF BATCH REACTORS .2. A CASE-STUDY, Industrial & engineering chemistry research, 32(5), 1993, pp. 882-893
In this work, the optimal design and operation methodology developed i
n part 1 of this study will be illustrated in a batch polymerization r
eactor system (polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated b
y azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) in toluene). Following the steps of
the methodology, first a mathematical model of the process (which acco
unts for gel effect and volume shrinkage) is developed and then the pe
rformance indices and mode of operation are selected. The optimal load
ing conditions and reactor temperature profile (which minimize the pol
ydispersity of the final polymer product and maximize the monomer conv
ersion constrained to a desired value of the weight-average molecular
weight at the end of the batch time) are computed numerically. After d
esigning the heating/cooling equipment, its flexibility, controllabili
ty, and safety, as well as the feasibility of the computed optimal ope
rating conditions, are investigated. A nonlinear temperature controlle
r is finally synthesized to enforce the reactor startup conditions and
the optimal temperature profile.