Particle morphology for polyolefins synthesized with supported metallocenecatalysts

A detailed model describing particle growth and morphology in polyolefins s ynthesized using supported metallocene catalysts is presented. The multigra in model (MGM) is extended to consider metal extraction and the effects of polymer particle compressibility, in addition to monomer sorption and mass and heat transfer considerations. The effects of active metal extraction in to the polymer phase and the pores of the particle on the kinetics of polym erization and morphological features of the polymer particle are studied. T he effects of greater compressibility of polymer particles on morphological features such as particle porosity are studied. Model predictions for poro sity and morphology are shown to reproduce similar trends as have been repo rted in experimental studies. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.