Modeling the polymerization process-the gel-effect function

System modeling is of prime importance in understanding the process of solution polymerization. Proper system modeling permits the examination of the algorithms for process behavior by process simulation, and the study of optimal control of the process. One of the parameters of importance in the model of the solution polymerization process is the gel-effect. The gel-effect for the batch solution polymerization of styrene initiated by AIBN with toluene as the solvent is investigated. The study uses a central composite experimental design in two variables: temperature, and initial initiator concentration. The gel-effect correlates very well with the solution viscosity and reaction temperature. The resulting process model was found to simulate well these experiments and the experiments of other researchers