Vinyl Acetate Polymerization Process Mathematical Model

The on-line control of molecular weight distribution (MWD) for polymer production is yet problematic in chemical industry. The crucial point and prerequisite of the problem is to build the mathematical model for those polymeric reactions. Hence, taking an industrial process of polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) as the object, a mathematical model of the process grounded on both the polymerization reaction mechanism and real technological conditions has been set up by means of the concentration method and generation function technique, meanwhile a approach to solving the model has also been introduced.Choosing measurable operating variables as inputs and taking species concentrations as main variables, the model is able to provide on-line estimates of conversion of VAc, degree of polymerization of PVAc, etc.The model has been validated from the following aspects: off-line analytical instruments, on-line viscosity meter and technologic standards. The output of the model is consistent with the designed criterion and also the measured quality merit. Furthermore, we use the model to simulate the real process, and then analyze the results. It will be an important basis for guiding the operation.