Dynamic Simulation, Optimization, and Control of Polymerization Reactors

Prof. Costas Kiparissides, Ph.D.

   Zeit: Dienstag, 23. 10. 2001, 16:00
   Ort: Hörsaal V 9.31 Pfaffenwaldring 9, Universitätsbereich Stuttgart-Vaihingen

Abstract:

Although computer simulation and control have been applied to the chemical and petrochemical processes, the routine, widespread application of computer simulation, computer-aided design (CAD), computer aided process monitoring (CAPM), computer aided process optimization and control (CAPOC) methods for the polymerization processes is still very limited. However, as the polymer industry becomes more global and competitive pressures are intensifying, leading polymer manufacturers are actively engaged with the development of necessary CAD software tools for computer interated polymer manufacturing (CIPM). The development of computer-aided design (CAD) tools has advanced dramatically in the past ten years. Furthermore, the perspectives for the near future developments are even more promising. The traditionally set path for the development of general purpose simulation packages requires a CAD expertise as an added value to the mathematical models of unit operations and physical properties evaluation, established in the literature. This modeling and problem solving expertise encompasses a wide variety of interdisciplinary fields such as numerical analysis for the solution of differential and algebraic equations, mathematical programming for the solution of the optimization problems, and computer science in order to keep up-to-date to the capabilities that the computer technology offers today. This latter includes issues that range from hardware, to languages (FORTRAN, C++) and operating systems, to programming approaches (mathematical modeling vs experts systems and artificial intelligence) and software structure (modular, equation oriented, object oriented programming). Regarding the polymer manufacturing industry both the challenges and the rewards are distinctively amplified. In contrast though to the general status and perspectives of computer aided design, the polymer engineer can find little help in the established software packages either because the pertinent modules are lacking completely or they are quite simplistic. The fact that polymer reactors stand as the typical example for what the computer aided design tools should "ultimately" address in the near future, increases the scope for the urgent development of CAD packages for the polymer industry. Furthermore, what is vaguely called a "polymer reactor" is a label for a whole field of diverse technologies. The present lecture is focused on the development of CAD packages for polymerization reactors. The overall goal of the software packages is to develop powerful, flexible, adaptive design and predictive simulation tools that can follow and predict the operating conditions of a given polymer reactor in an accurate, prompt and comprehensive way. Their range of use includes the prediction in real time of the molecular properties of polymer produced in polymer reactors, the estimation of control moves of key process variables as well as the prediction of the operational and product characteristics of alternative design options. Major points of consideration are the user friendliness of the input/output and the execution speed enabling its online use as a predictive tool.

Education:

Diploma in Chemical Engineering, 1966-1971 - National Technical University of Athens, Greece.
M.Eng. in Chemical Engineering, 1974-1975 - McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, 1975-1978 - McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Honors:

1. Academic years 1966/67, 1967/68, 1968/69 Holder of a Scholarship awarded by the Greek Ministry of Labour
2. Academic year 1969/70 Holder of a Scholarship of the National Institute of Scholarships.
3. 1971 Texaco Award for best Diploma Thesis.
4. Academic years 1974/78
Teaching Assistantship, McMaster University, Canada.
5. Academic years 1979/80, 1980/81 Recipient of a salary supplement award, University of Alberta, Canada.
6. Academic year 1988/89 Recipient of the "Golden Apple Award", for best teacher, Queen's University, Canada.

Employment History:

1. Kraftwerk Wehrden, Volklingen, Germany, Summer 1970.
2. Greek Armed Forces, 1971-1973, Second Lieutenant.
3. Teaching Assistant, Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, 1974-1977.
4. Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada, September 1978 - June 1980.
5. Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada, July 1980 - July 1983.
6. Visiting Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, August 1987 - June 1989.
7. Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Thessaloniki, July 1981 - Now.
8. Visiting Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering University, University of Newcastle, U.K., 1994-1997.

Professional Membership:

American Institute for Chemical Engineers (USA)
Hellenic Association of Engineers
Advisory Board of Chem. Proc. Engin. Res. Institute, Thessaloniki, Greece
Reviewer for Scientific Journals: AIChE, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., Chem. Eng. Sci., etc.
Reviewer of BRITE/EURAM Research Proposals (EC)
Reviewer of NSF grant applications (USA)

Research Activities:

My main research activities fall into the following general areas: Polymer reaction engineering; mathematical modelling of polymer reactors; computer control of polymerization reactors; software and hardware sensor developments for the on line monitoring of polymer quality; modelling, monitoring and diagnosis of polymer reactors by statistical process control and statistical quality control methods; synthetic polymer hydrogels: structure function relationships; production of porous and nonporous polymer microparticles; development of novel confinement methods and controlled release studies; diffusion studies through polymer membranes and films. Coordinator of 10 EC programmes with a total budget of 3 million ECUs.