| Abstract: | An approach to controlling a continuous industrial polymerization reactor train for the production of stereoregular butadiene rubber based on the use of quality control laboratory data is presented. Empirical transfer function and disturbance models are identified directly from data collected from a designed experimental program carried out while the plant remained under operator control. The models are used to design minimum variance type control strategies for the monomer conversion and the Mooney viscosity of the final product. These controllers manipulate the flowrates of the Ziegler-Natta catalyst components and a chemical transfer agent. The plant testing program, the development of the control strategy, and results from testing the control strategy in the plant are all described. |
