Sequential method for the determination of operating conditions for optimizing end-use properties of a terpolymer

An efficient method based on tendency modelling is presented to design operating conditions aiming at optimization of end-use properties of a terpolymer used as a viscosity index improver. In order to implement this strategy, a copolymerization model and relationships between the terpolymer structure and the properties are set up according to a sequential procedure. Six preliminary runs were required to start the process. Further runs were performed according to the predictions of an adaptive tendency model in order to minimize a performance index related to reaction time and end-use properties of the terpolymer. It was found that quasi-optimal conditions were reached after only four runs calculated according to this method.