Non-linear bifurcation analysis of the living nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization of styrene in a CSTR

In this paper, the non-linear behavior of the styrene nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization (NMRP) taking place in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) is studied. The cooling water flow rate, feed stream temperature, cooling water feed temperature, monomer feed stream concentration and residence time were chosen as the bifurcation parameters. Typical hysteresis behavior was found for this reactor, making necessary the use of a control scheme to operate in potential regions of interest. Input multiplicities, as well as disjoint bifurcations and isola behavior were found, making the reactor to be prone to operability and control problems.