Nonlinear control of a batch polymerization reactor: an experimental study

The experimental application of the globally linearizing control method to a batch polymerization reactor is studied. The nonlinear controller is implemented on a microcomputer to start up the reactor and then track a precalculated optimal temperature profile. The reactor temperature is controlled by manipulating two coordinated inputs. A reduced-order observer is used to estimate the concentrations of initiator and monomer. The experimental results show the excellent servo and regulatory performance of the nonlinear controller in the presence of observer initialization error and active manipulated input constraints