(14d) On-Line Methods to Improve Safety and Performance of Polymerization Reactors

Worldwide competition in the polymer business requires highly efficient operation of polymerization plants. There are two seemingly contradictory trends to be observed in the polymer field. On the one hand side, there is a trend to a highly concentrated production of polymeric commodities, for which the business is mainly governed by the sales price. For these products a highly efficient production process with lowest production costs is required. On the other hand, more and more specialities for highly demanding applications come to market, which need tailor-made structures and high and reproducible quality. The application of on-line methods can serve both needs ? control of the polymeric structure as well as economically optimized processes. Some application examples will demonstrate the use of these methods for on-line process observation and improved process safety, the control of product properties as well as the optimization of high volume products.