On-Line Estimation of Molecular Weight Distributions in Methyl Methacrylate Polymerization

Advanced control strategies are used to estimate and control the complete molecular weight distribution (MWD) for batch polymerization of methyl methacrylate. This novel estimation procedure for the MWD rather than the moments of the distribution is made possible by explicitly accounting for the chain length. The on-line implementation of the model and its ability to predict MWD from simple polymer reactor measurements (temperature, conversion and viscosity) are discussed. Finally, optimal temperature trajectories are predicted for specific MWD criteria.