Process modelling and optimization of styrene polymerization

Polystyrene is a common commodity with thin margin, it is desirable for industry to reduce the production cost by optimizing the process and producing polystyrene with desired properties. This paper has reviewed several commonly used process optimization policies from the literature. The kinetics of styrene polymerization with mono‐ or bifunctional initiator has also be described. It has been demonstrated that by using a temperature profile combined with selective mono‐ or bifunctional initiators, one can decrease bach time while still maintaining the desired molecular weight averages. The recently developed new tetra‐functional initiator by Elf‐Atochem provides a new tool for controlling/optimization purposes. Industrial process configurations of polystyrene production has also be discussed.