Quality control of polymer production processes

For the polymer production industries, the competitive edge will come from the technology that excels in controlling the polymer properties in a consi stent way over the entire plant and in maximizing the production performanc e while keeping safety regulations. Based on the experience in applying adv anced process control and scheduling schemes to industrial polyolefin polym erization plants, the state of the art in quality control systems for provi ding the polymer production plant with an enlarged capacity for product dis crimination and flexibility is reviewed. On-line soft-sensing and optimal g rade changeover control problems are the main focus of this paper. A qualit y control system for polymer production plants, which integrates optimal co ntrol with on-line sensing and scheduling techniques, is discussed making r eference to an application of a prototype system to an industrial plant. (C ) 2000 IFAC. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.