Model-based optimization of a semi-batch industrial polymerization process

TEODORA MITEVA; NADJA HVALA; RODRIGO ALVAREZ; DOLORES KUKANJA

Braga - Portugal

Conferencia; 10th International Chemical and Biological Engineering Conference CHEMPOR 2008; 2008

The research work presented in this paper considers the polymerization plant in MITOL chemical factory in Sežana, Slovenia. This is the leading glue manufacturer in the country with production rate more than 90% of its capacity. One of the challenges now is to increase the production rate, while keeping the quality parameters at the desired values. A possible approach to reach this goal is by applying better control strategies that will decrease the batch time. The underlying research is aimed at the design of the process model and its application in the search for more optimal plant operation.