Adaptive Model Predictive Control of a Batch Solution Polymerization Process using Trajectory Linearization

A sequential trajectory linearized adaptive model based predictive controller is designed using the DMC algorithm to control the temperature of a batch MMA polymerization process. Using the mechanistic model of the polymerization, a parametric transfer function is derived to relate the reactor temperature to the power of the heaters. Then, a multiple model predictive control approach is taken in to track a desired temperature trajectory.The coefficients of the multiple transfer functions are calculated along the selected temperature trajectory by sequential linearization and the model is validated experimentally. The controller performance is studied on a small scale batch reactor.