Abstract: Control of an anionic polymerization is obtained by monitoring an indicator of molecular weight of the polymer in the polymerizing mixture, measuring the molecular weight of the polymer produced therein and using this information to control the rate at which polymerization initiator is added to the polymerizing mixture in a continuous stirred tank reactor.

Abstract: Control of an anionic polymerization is obtained by monitoring an indicator of molecular weight of the polymer in the polymerizing mixture, measuring the molecular weight of the polymer produced therein and using this information to control the rate at which polymerization initiator is added to the polymerizing mixture in a continuous stirred tank reactor.

Abstract: An anionic polymerization apparatus includes a continuously stirred reactor, a conduit connected to the discharge of the continuously stirred tank reactor, the conduit being in operative communication with an optical apparatus to provide a first signal which varies as molecular weight of polymer in effluent from the continuously stirred tank reactor varies, the first signal passing to a flow control apparatus adjusting the initiator flow control apparatus to thereby provide molecular weight control of a polymer being prepared, a gel permeation chromatograph adapted to receive effluent from the continuously stirred reactor and measure the molecular weight of a polymer and provide a second signal indicative of the molecular weight of the polymer to the optical apparatus and adjust the optical apparatus to provide a desired first signal to thereby provide a polymer of a generally uniform molecular weight.