CLOSED-LOOP CONTROL OF A SEEDED CONTINUOUS EMULSION POLYMERIZATION REACTOR SYSTEM

A reactor configuration for continuous emulsion polymerization is proposed consisting of a plug flow reactor followed by a train of CSTR's. Monomer conversion is controlled by manipulating the quantity of water and monomer which are allowed to bypass the plug flow reactor and enter the first CSTR directly. A multivariate pole-placement adaptive controller is used to implement the controls. Simulation results indicate good control of both conversion and particle size. Open-loop experimental results indicate the effectiveness of the plug flow reactor for eliminating the oscillations sometimes found in CSTR emulsion polymerization.