Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of monitoring a resin-producing polymerization reaction in a fluid bed reactor system to generate reaction parameter data in on-line fashion, determining an indicator of at least one of entropy and complexity (for example, Kolmogorov or Shannon entropy) of each of at least two subsets of the reaction parameter data, and optionally also determining from at least one value of the indicator (for example, from a time series of Kolmogorov or Shannon entropy values) an indication of at least one of degree of resin stickiness, an approach to or imminence of resin stickiness, and an approach to or imminence of an unsafe or undesired reactor operating condition (e.g., that can result in sheeting or chunking). Optionally also, the reaction is controlled in response to at least one value of the indicator, for example, in an effort to prevent the occurrence of sheeting or another discontinuity event or to maintain the reactor in a stable, non-sticking condition.

Abstract: The current invention provides a method and apparatus, which uses symbol sequence techniques, temporal irreversibility, and/or cluster analysis to monitor the operating state of individual burner flames on a appropriate time scale. Both the method and apparatus of the present invention may be used optimize the performance of burner flames.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for determining reactor continuity of a polymerization reactor by non-linear dynamics. Specifically, the invention relates to a method of analyzing system variables to indicate gas phase reactor continuity in real-time and controlling the reactor continuity to maintain operability.