Control of particle size distribution described by a population balance model of semibatch emulsion polymerization

This work addresses the computation of surfactant feed profiles for shaping a particle size distribution to a bimodal target distribution. A fundament al population balance model of styrene semibatch emulsion polymerization is used in this control study. Both surfactant feed rate and free surfactant concentration are considered as alternative control variables and a compari son is made of the two approaches. A comparison is also made of several dif ferent objective function norms in the optimization. Results suggest that a min-max norm, tied to the distribution modes, is the most appropriate metr ic. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.