Nonlinear Control of a Batch Polymerization Reactor

This work studies the experimental application of the globally linearizing control (GLC) methodology to a batch polymerization reactor. The GLC methodology is used to start-up the batch reactor and then track a precalculated optimal temperature profile which minimizes the polydispersity of the final polymer product during the batch operation. The reactor temperature is tracked by manipulating two coordinated inputs: power to an electrical heater and cooling water flow rate.