Abstract—Nonlinear model predictive control algorithm (NLMPC) is used for the on-line control of polymer molecular weight distribution. The control of chain-length distribution is achieved by selecting a collection of points in the distribution and using it as set points for the control algorithm. NLMLPC is implemented in online fashion to manipulate both the hydrogen and monomer feed rates. The simulation investigated the control algorithm performance for set point tracking conditions. The results demonstrate that the control algorithm can regulate the entire molecular weight distribution with high computational efficiency and minimum steady state error even in the presence of modeling errors.
Index Terms—Molecular weight distribution, nonlinear model predictive control, Kalman filter, polymerization reactor control, fluidized bed reactor, polyethylene
Chemical Engineering Department, King Saud University P.O.Box: 800, 11421 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
+ Corresponding author, email: amkamal@ksu.edu.sa
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Cite: Al-haj Ali M. and Ali Emad, "Control of Polymer Quality in Gas Phase Polyethylene Reactors Using Feed Flow Rates," Internatinal Journal of Chemical Engineering and Application vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 71-76, 2010.
