Design and Multicriteria Optimization of a Two-Stage Reactive Extrusion Process for the Synthesis of Thermoplastic Polyurethanes

Sandrine Hoppe, Dimitrios Meimaroglou, Mauricio Camargo, Christian Fonteix, Fernand Pla

Equipe de Recherche des Processus Innovatifs (ENSGSI), Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.
Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés (CNRS), Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.
Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.

DOI: 10.4236/eng.2012.49065                

Abstract

This paper presents the implementation of two multicriteria optimization methods based on different approaches, namely, Rough Set Method (RSM) and Net Flow Method (NFM), to the manufacture by reactive extrusion of linear thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs), appropriate for medical applications. A preliminary study allowed determining the process operating conditions for which the polymerization time and the average residence time of the reactants in the extruder are of the same order of magnitude. Prior to the optimization, a neural network model able to predict with acceptable accuracy the effect of the operating conditions on the output process variables, was constructed and validated. This model was then used to determine, using Pareto’s concept, a set of non-dominated solutions constituting Pareto’s domain. These solutions were then ranked according to the preferences of a decision maker using NFM and RSM. This allowed providing the 10% highest ranked solutions of Pareto’s domain and proposing a set of optimal operating conditions for the production, with the lowest energy consumption, of TPUs with targeted properties and high purity. Experimental validation runs carried out under similar operating conditions gave rise to criteria values confirming the su- perior performance of NFM, without rejecting, at the same time, the values obtained using RSM.

Keywords

Reactive Extrusion; Thermoplastic Polyurethanes; Modelling; Multicriteria Optimization; Decision-Making Support

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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