Steady-State Multiplicity Behavior Analysis of a High-Impact Polystyrene Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor Using a Bifunctional Initiator

In this work, the steady-state multiplicity analysis of a complete and detailed high-impact polymerization system that has been performed in a nonisothermal continuous stirred tank reactor is addressed. The potential effect of manipulated disturbance and design variables on the reactor control is discussed. Through proper combination of certain bifurcation parameters, some ways of increasing monomer conversion without encountering problems related to the gel effect are proposed. It is shown that high-sensitivity dependence problems cannot be removed by making changes in the analyzed design parameters. Some of the best ways of conducting closed-loop reactor temperature control are identified.