Continuous Emulsion Polymerization Reactor Control

Experimental verification of a redesigned reactor configuration for the continuous production of polyvinylacetate is shown to eliminate sustained oscillations, and to offer greatly increased flexibility in controlling particle size and conversion. Computer control over particle size and monomer conversion is then achieved by manipulating the initiator feedrate to the reactor and the split of the monomer and water feedrates between the first two reactors using different control algorithms. The experimental pilot plant system consists of two stirred tank stainless steel reactors with on-line densitometers and UV spectrophotometers providing the process measurements. All process monitoring and control was performed using a PDP-11 based front end computer coupled to a VAX-11/750.