Studies of multiobjective optimization of batch free-radical polymerization process

The precise control of the polymer properties during its manufacture process is one of the most important issues for the development of chemical process control techniques. The free-radical polymerization process is a typical example of a multivariable open-loop control design problem. In this work, the batch free-radical polymerization of styrene process is analyzed by the multiobjective optimization technique, which shows in a more realistic way the multivariable aspects of the polymerization manufacture. The process objectives include monomer conversion, polymer molecular weight, polydispersity index, and initiator residue. The simulated results have confirmed that multiobjective optimization is a powerful and helpful technique, offering a consistent strategy for the solution of polymerization reactor optimization problems.