Modeling and Control of a Batch Phenol Polymerization Reactor

Abstract

A mathematical model of a phenol polymerization process in the batch reactor is derived by considering reaction rate, mass and energy balances. Kinetic reaction parameters are estimated from experimental data and parameters of energy balances are obtained from reactor operating conditions. Simulating the process responses by using various system parameters, it is confirmed that this model well explains the real process. Then, the gain scheduling control is applied. It is found from computer simulation that this gain scheduling control system shows excellent dynamic responses than the conventional control system. This study emphasizes that developing a suitable mathematical model is very much important for control system design.