![Sample our Physical Sciences journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110819/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Physical-Sciences.jpg"})
Abstract
Online calorimetry was used to estimate the conversion and the cumulative terpolymer composition in free radical emulsion polymerization of styrene/methyl methacrylate (MMA)/methyl acrylate (MA) within batch and semi-batch stirred tank reactors. The model includes the mass and energy balance equations over the reactor and its peripherals. Energy balance equations include the heat of reaction, internal and external heat transfer effects, as well as external heat losses. Experiments were conducted in conjunction with a reactor instrumented with platinum resistance thermal transducers and gravimetric conversion measurement devices. The experiments were conducted at variable operational conditions of feed rate, temperature and monomer feed ratios. The estimated values of conversion and terpolymer composition obtained from calorimetric data were compared with measurements of conversion and cumulative terpolymer composition by gravimetry and NMR techniques. Good agreement was observed between the inferential calorimetric estimation and corresponding process measurements. We established that online calorimetry is suitable for use as a soft sensor for the prediction of the rate of reaction, conversion and terpolymer composition.
6. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We thank our colleagues, Mr. I Altarawneh and Dr. B. Alhamad, for assistance with experiments, and Prof. C. Fry and Dr. O. Araujo, UWPREL, for supporting our NMR data analysis for the styrene/MMA copolymer. We acknowledge Prof. P. Kuchel, Dr. W. Bubb and Dr. I. Luck at the University of Sydney, for assistance with our NMR measurements. A research scholarship from the Australian Research Council is gratefully acknowledged.