Method and systems for online analysis of a polymeric material within a
mixing device are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods and
systems subject the polymeric material to Raman spectroscopy analysis.
The Raman spectroscopy provides analysis of polymer properties that may
include melt index, density, viscosity, molecular weight, molecular
weight distribution, weight ratios of different polymers comprising the
polymeric material, additive concentrations, crosslinking agent
concentrations, scissoring agent concentrations, and combinations
thereof. The spectroscopy results can be used to provide process control
to adjust operating parameters of the mixing device and/or an associated
polymerization process. The mixing device may be an extruder. The methods
and systems may also include a processor for evaluating the results of
the Raman analysis and automatically adjusting the mixing device and/or
polymerization processes.