MULTIOBJECTIVE DYNAMIC OPTIMIZATION OF BATCH FREE-RADICAL POLYMERIZATION PROCESS CATALYZED BY MIXED INITIATOR SYSTEMS

The optimal control policies for batch free radical polymerization of styrene catalyzed by a binary mixture of monofunctional initiators have been determined using a multiobjective dynamic optimization technique. The process objectives considered in the optimization include monomer conversion, polymer molecular weight, initiator residue level, and total reaction time. It is illustrated through model simulations and experiments that the performance of the batch polymerization process can be improved significantly through the use of optimal initiator mixture and polymerization temperature programming. This paper also illustrates how the multiobjective optimization technique can be used effectively to solve complex polymerization reactor optimization problems with detailed reaction models.