M. Asteasuain et al., Effect of multiple feedings in the operation of a high-pressure polymerization reactor for ethylene polymerization, POLYM REACT, 9(3), 2001, pp. 163-182
A thorough model of the high pressure polymerization of ethylene in tubular
reactors previously developed by the authors is used to analyze operating
conditions for a specific industrial reactor. The objective is to maximize
productivity while keeping product quality within desired parameters. The v
ariables under analysis are: position, rate and temperature of lateral reac
tor feeds, reactor jacket configuration, temperature and flow rate of the r
efrigerant. Separating the initiator injections provides an increase in con
version, but also in polydispersity. However, this undesirable effect in po
lydispersity can be sorted out by manipulating the modifier flow rate prope
rly. Besides, the refrigerating cost can be significantly reduced by means
of a proper jacket configuration and an optimized refrigerant flow rate. In
this way we show the usefulness of the mathematical model as a predictive
tool -in comparison with pilot or industrial scale trials- especially when
processes are carried out under severe operating conditions.