Molecular weight control of a batch polymerization reactor: Experimental study

A parameter estimation procedure was developed to fit a kinetic model with the experimental data obtained from methyl methacrylate (MMA) solution poly merization in a 10 L batch reader. For molecular weight control, we applied the modified two-step method in calculating the optimal temperature trajec tory on the basis of the identified kinetic model. Application of a convent ional proportional-integral (PI) controller to track the temperature trajec tory proved to be acceptable in a conventional batch reactor with both heat ing and cooling systems. Experimental results revealed that the identified model is accurate; therefore, one can rely on the calculated optimal temper ature trajectories to ensure that the polymer product quality conforms to t he specification.