Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system of modeling physical properties of biodiesel feedstock are presented. The invention method and system include (i) estimating values of a physical property of constituent fatty acid fragments of a mono-, di-, or triglyceride, and (ii) computing a value of the physical property of the mono-, di-, or triglyceride by expressing the value of the physical property of the mono-, di-, or triglyceride as a sum of the estimated values of the physical property of constituent fatty acid fragments thereof. The method and system further include repeating steps (i) and (ii) for different mono-, di-, and/or triglycerides, resulting in a plurality of computed values of the physical property of different mono-, di-, and triglycerides. The determined value of the subject physical property enables blending of the biodiesel feedstock in production of biodiesel.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system of modeling physical properties of biodiesel feedstock are presented. The invention method and system include (i) estimating values of a physical property of constituent fatty acid fragments of a mono-, di-, or triglyceride, and (ii) computing a value of the physical property of the mono-, di-, or triglyceride by expressing the value of the physical property of the mono-, di-, or triglyceride as a sum of the estimated values of the physical property of constituent fatty acid fragments thereof. The method and system further include repeating steps (i) and (ii) for different mono-, di-, and/or triglycerides, resulting in a plurality of computed values of the physical property of different mono-, di-, and triglycerides.

Abstract: Computer method and apparatus determines state of physical properties, i.e. product quality, of a chemical manufacturing process. A steady state modeler provides a rigorous steady state model of the process and instantaneous state of physical properties. An estimator or inferential sensing member determines state of the physical properties over time based on the steady state (instantaneous) values of the physical properties. To that end, a dynamic model of the subject process is formed from the steady state model. The computer method and apparatus may be part of a network such that laboratory and sensor measured process data is made accessible by the steady state modeler and the estimator, and the estimator provides process parameter values for maintaining state of the physical properties. The network also enables online and user-interactive access to the steady state model, the dynamic model and/or the parameter values for enabling control of the subject process.

Abstract: A first principles, steady state model of a desired polymer process is applied with a non-linear optimizer to a linear controller. Model process gains and optimal target values for controller variables result. These results are utilized by a multivariable linear controller to achieve nonlinear control of the subject process. Preferably the nonlinear optimizer is DMO/SQP. The steady state model is produced by Polymers Plus and the linear controller is DMCplus, all of Aspen Technology, Inc. in Cambridge Mass.

Abstract: A first principles, steady state model of a desired polymer process is applied with a non-linear optimizer to a linear controller. Model process gains and optimal target values for controller variables result. These results are utilized by a multivariable linear controller to achieve nonlinear control of the subject process. Preferably the nonlinear optimizer is DMO/SQP. The steady state model is produced by Polymers Plus and the linear controller is DMCplus, all of Aspen Technology, Inc. in Cambridge Mass.

Abstract: A process simulator and modeling methodology employs instantaneous property measures. The instantaneous measures of various polymer properties are tracked throughout the subject polymer manufacturing system and used to calculate respective property distribution functions. For example, property distributions of composition, molecular weight, stereoregularity and long chain branching are calculated, tracked in time and location throughout the manufacturing system, and used to model the polymer manufacturing system and polymerization process performed by the system. More specifically, the present invention calculates full distribution of polymer properties from the instantaneous property measures and tracked instantaneous property distributions. This enables accurate and computationally efficient modeling of the polymerization process and manufacturing system for carrying out the same.