Techniques for kinetic parameter estimation in free radical polymerization models

Abstract

Free radical polymerization (FRP) systems can have many reactions, leading to many kinetic parameters. The most common method to obtain values for kinetic parameters is weighted-least squares estimation, which uses multiple types of measured responses. Error-in-variables model estimation is used when there is significant uncertainty in the model inputs. When FRP models have many unknown parameters, it is difficult to estimate them all uniquely, so modelers often resort to model simplification or subset selection methods for parameter estimation. The aim of this review is to describe the most common techniques that modelers use for kinetic parameter estimation in FRP models.