Improved single phase modeling of propylene polymerization in a fluidized bed reactor
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2012
Abstract
An improved model for the production of polypropylene in a gas phase fluidized bed reactor was developed. Comparative simulation studies were carried out using the well-mixed, constant bubble size and the improved models. The improved model showed different prediction characteristics of polymer production rate as well as heat and mass transfer behavior as compared to other published models. All the three models showed similar dynamic behavior at the startup conditions but the improved model predicted a narrower safe operation window. Furthermore, the safe ranges of variation of the main operating parameters such as catalyst feed rate and superficial gas velocity calculated by the improved and well mixed models are wider than that obtained by the constant bubble size model. The improved model predicts the monomer conversion per pass through the bed which varies from 0.28 to 5.57% within the practical ranges of superficial gas velocity and catalyst feed rate.
Keywords
Fluidized bed reactor, Mathematical modeling, Polymerization, Polypropylene, Ziegler-Natta catalyst, Bubble size, Catalyst feed rates, Comparative simulation, Dynamic behaviors, Fluidized bed reactors, Gas phase fluidized bed, Heat and mass transfer, Improved models, Mixed models, Monomer conversions, Operating parameters, Polymer production rate, Propylene polymerization, Safe operation, Single phase, Start-up conditions, Superficial gas velocities, Three models, Ziegler-Natta catalysts, Catalysts, Chemical reactors, Computer simulation, Fluid catalytic cracking, Fluidization, Fluidized bed furnaces, Mass transfer, Polymers, Polypropylenes, Propylene, Thermoplastics, Fluidized beds
Divisions
fac_eng
Publication Title
Computers & Chemical Engineering
Volume
36
Issue
1
Publisher
Computers & Chemical Engineering
Additional Information
868TO Times Cited:1 Cited References Count:27