ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the impact of measurement techniques and capabilities on the design of control systems for polymerization. In nearly every chemical reaction, the temperature of the reacting mass is of utmost importance. Polymerization is no different; control of reaction temperature or, in some cases, the temperature-time profile is essential. In general, temperature measurements for polymerization reactions are made with the same instrumentation that is generally used in the chemical industry. Composition measurement is often the major source of deadtime in composition control loops. In copolymerization, the measurement of composition is subject to measurement error stemming from inaccurate knowledge of the instantaneous comonomer composition. Many conversion measurement techniques require some pretreatment of the sample prior to measurement. Most polymerizations are exothermic and require maintenance of reaction temperature for reasons of process safety, if for no other. In most polymerizations and all copolymerizations, more than a single ingredient is required in the reacting mass.
