Tuning of Polymer Molecular Weight at Process Control

Sakakibara Hidetoshi, Mori Yasuhiko, Mori Yoshikazu, Nakajima Takeo

doi:10.18890/qes.28.4_33

Polymer products are generally manufactured according to formulas specified in the working standards for each brand. For polymers of high molecular weight, the catalyst quantities are minute, so variations in feedstocks and operating conditions have a large effect on molecular weight. In continuous polymerization, molecular weight variations are monitored by process analysis and fine adjustments are made to the method of polymerization. These adjustments are entrusted to the judgement of an experienced foreman, but since they are carried out on the basis of experience and the most recent adjustment results, there is considerable variation from person to person. To enable anyone to make appropriate adjustments, a simulation model was created from past operating data, and a viscosity adjustment system using orthogonal polynomials was constructed. This adjustment system simplified the adjustment process easy even for relatively inexperienced foremen and reduced variation in the molecular weight of products by 20 ％ in terms of variance with no increase in cost. Use of the Taguchi method (1) to gain the adjustment system on the basis of small amounts of data, but good results were not obtained in the present study.

Tuning of Polymer Molecular Weight at Process Control

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