Adaptive control of a slim-type reactor for free radical polymerization of LDPE

The adiabatic slirn-type autoclave reactor for free radical polymerization of LDPE is represented by a two-compartment four-cell model, which is proven effective to predict the reactor behavior as well as the polymer properties. Since the temperature distribution along the reactor axis plays the central role for the properties of the polymer product, it is important in practice to regulate the temperature in each compartment. The present study aims for the application of the adaptive control algorithm not only in the period of start-up but also during the steady state operation. It is shown that the temperature control is significantly improved over the conventional PID-control and this also brings about a reduction of variations in the polymer properties. This study demonstrates the potential application of the adaptive controller for the control of the polymerization reactor operated under the adiabatic condition.