Modified mathematical model for gas phase olefin polymerization in fluidized-bed catalytic reactor
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2009
Abstract
A modified model for the gas phase catalyzed olefin polymerization fluidized-bed reactors (FBR) using Ziegler-Natta catalyst is presented in this study. This mathematical model accounts for mass and heat transfer between the bubbles and the clouds without chemical reaction, between the clouds and the emulsion without chemical reaction, and between emulsion and solid with chemical reaction that occurs at the surface of the catalyst particles. The model accounts for the effect of catalyst particles type and porosity on the rate of reaction. In this work, the concentration and temperature profiles in the bubble, and emulsion phases are calculated and the effect of catalyst solid phase on the system is estimated. The effect of important reactor parameters such as superficial gas velocity, catalyst injection rate, and catalyst particle growth on the dynamic behavior of the FBR is investigated and the behavior of mathematical model is compared with the reported models for the constant bubble size model, well-mixed model and bubble growth model. Moreover, the results of the model are compared with the experimental data in terms of molecular weight distribution and polydispersity of the produced polymer at steady state. A good agreement is observed between our model prediction and the actual plant data.
Keywords
Dynamic studies, Fluidized-bed reactor, Mathematical model, Olefin polymerization, Catalysis, Catalysts, Clouds, Computer simulation, Emulsification, Emulsions, Fluidization, Fluidized beds, Gas dynamics, Gases, Injection (oil wells), Molecular weight distribution, Monomers, Newtonian flow, Olefins, Polydispersity, Polymerization, Polymers, Supersaturation, Thermal effects, Bubble growths, Bubble sizes, Catalyst particles, Catalytic reactors, Dynamic behaviors, Effect of catalysts, Emulsion phasis, Experimental datum, Gas-phase, Injection rates, Mixed models, Model predictions, Modified models, Plant datum, Rate of reactions, Reactor parameters, Solid-phase, Steady state, Superficial gas velocities, Temperature profiles, Ziegler-Natta catalysts, Mathematical models.
Divisions
fac_eng
Publication Title
Chemical Engineering Journal
Volume
149
Issue
1-3
Publisher
Elsevier
Additional Information
436OD Times Cited:1 Cited References Count:13