A Hybrid Mathematical Model for the Emulsion Polymerization of Styrene and Butadiene

R.J. MINARI, G. STEGMAYER, G. MARTINEZ DELFA, C. BOSCHETTI, J.R. VEGA, L.M. GUGLIOTTA

Viña del Mar, Chile

Simposio; IV Simposio Chileno-Argentino de Polímeros; 2007

The production of polymers with controlled quality properties is a major challenge in researchactivities as well as in industrial applications. Unfortunately, on-line polymer reactor control strategies are usually difficult to be implemented due to the lack of instantaneous measurements of most polymer quality variables. Several state estimation and control techniques have been proposed, which are frequently based on “representative” mathematical models of thepolymerization process [1, 2]. In this work the emulsion copolymerization of St and Bis investigated with the aim of developing a hybrid mathematical model for predicting gravimetric monomer conversion, average values of particle diameter, copolymer composition, molecular weights and degree of branching, and Mooney viscosity of the produced SBR.