| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S94124/01 |
| Title: |
Feedback Control of Particle Size Distribution in Emulsion Polymerisation |
| Principal Investigator: |
Immanuel, Dr CD |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Chemical Engineering |
| Organisation: |
Imperial College London |
| Scheme: |
First Grant Scheme Pre-FEC |
| Starts: |
01 October 2004 |
Ends: |
30 September 2007 |
Value (£): |
93,649
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Design of Process systems |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Recent advancements in the instrumentation capabilities, abetted by commensurate improvements in the computational resources, have kindled interest on the study of more complex systems, and in setting more demanding objectives for the processes. Thus, there is no longer an interest in producing marginal improvements in the processes through refinement of existing tools and algorithms. On the contrary, a paradigm shift is introduced in the outlook towards the processes. The present approach is to take a step back and look at the processes in a new light, so as to remodel them in a form suitable for meeting objectives that are the most relevant to the process industries and the end users, for example by employing the population balance concepts. The project proposed here exemplifies one such approach:The correlation between the particle size distribution (PSD) and the end-use properties of emulsion polymers is very well known. However, the complexity of the process and the lack of instrumentation to measure the PSD have forced researchers to be content with the focus on an average particle size rather than deal with the full distribution. Typical applications of the emulsions require multimodal and complex PSD, which is not guaranteed by the control of an average particle size. The aim of the present project is to introduce a paradigm shift in the approach to this process, by employing rigorous population balance models, with an aim to control the entire distribution. Preliminary feasibility studies have been performed in this regard which are encouraging, however the problem is still at a nascent level, thereby placing the proposed project at the inception of a new field of research.As it would be clear from the accompanying Case for support document, this problem is very vast and provides abundant scope for research in different areas. These can be broadly classified as (1) the development of instrumentation; (2) the development of detailed mathematical models and efficient numerical solution techniques; (3) the analysis of process sensitivity and controllability; and (4) the optimisation and control of the process. Points (1) and (2) have considerable activities in recent years. Although there is scope for improvements in these areas, the present proposal seeks to advance into the latter two areas - (3) and (4). The primary objective of the present proposal addresses the optimisation and control issues, with the second objective addressing the controllability issue. State-of-the-art instrumentation facilities and computational facilities will be employed, and experimental validation of the feedback control results will be performed, to bring the technology closer to implementation in emulsion polymerisation companies.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.imperial.ac.uk |