Polymer reaction engineering: Modelling considerations for control studies

In polymer reaction engineering, mathematical models of varying complexity are employed to describe reactor behaviour and predict process performance under a variety of operating conditions. When process control is the final aim, it is very important to develop and use models that are simple in mathematical structure, yet capable of adequately describing the essential process characteristics.

In this paper we first derive a detailed mechanistic model for a batch solution polymerization of methyl methacrylate. Subsequently, we show how this complex model can be simplified using various assumptions and approximations. Five models of different levels of complexity are presented and examined for their suitability for process optimization and control applications. Model responses are discussed and compared in order to check whether the simplifications degrade the predictive capabilities of the original model.