Control of an Emulsion Polymerization Reactor

On-line control of emulsion polymerization is important in order to optimize process productivity. In this work, multivariable nonlinear geometric control is applied in order to maximize the reaction rate in a semicontinuous emulsion polymerization reactor. Two process variables are manipulated, the jacket temperature and the monomer flow rate, in order to control both the reactor temperature and the number of moles of monomer in the reactor. The controller performance is validated experimentally on a laboratory scale reactor during the emulsion polymerization of styrene.