Fuzzy Control of Semibatch Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Reactor Temperature based on Linguistic Rules

Karami, Amir; Rafizadeh, Mehdi

Fuzzy Control of Semibatch Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Reactor Temperature based on Linguistic Rules

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

A. Karami

M. Rafizadeh

Department of Polymer Engineering and Color Technology, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Research subject: It is not an easy task to get a suitable model of polymerization due to complex mechanism and kinetic of such processes. Polymerization temperature, as an intermediate variable between determining final polymer properties, is a good selection to be controlled. Fuzzy logic has ability to be applied to processes with unknown or less informed dynamics.

Research approach: In this research, control of semi batch poly(ethylene terephthalate) reactor temperature was studied. To do so, error and error variation were calculated using measured reactor temperature. Error and error variation were fuzzified using triangular membership functions. Five and three fuzzy sets were introduced to fuzzify error and error variation, respectively. Hence, fifteen rules were defined. Five fuzzy sets were defined to quantify these fifteen rules. Weight average defuzzification method was applied to calculate necessary heat to the reactor. Poly(ethylene terephthalate) was synthesized in a semi batch reactor based on a two steps method. It is possible to monitor temperature, pressure, rotation speed and mixing torque in this set up.

Main results: Produced water during esterification determines reaction advancement. In polycondensation step, mixing torque determines end of the process. Linguistic based fuzzy rules were applied to both steps. Reference temperatures were 230^oC and 260^oC, respectively. Reactor temperature was controlled with 1-2^oC precision. Control logic was applied using C#.net real time programming.

Keywords

Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Fuzzy controller

Semi-batch reactor

Temperature control

Linguistic rules

Subjects

Polymerization Enginireeng

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