SAFT Modeling of the Effect of Various Carriers on the Operating Range of Slurry Reactors

Abstract

In this work we relate agglomeration in a polyethylene reactor to the solid−liquid phase transition of the polymer. The model assumes that the polyethylene dissolution temperature in the carrier [or the solid−liquid equilibrium (SLE) temperature of the polymer at the reactor conditions] correlates with, and is representative of, the onset of agglomeration in slurry reactors. We use the statistical associating fluid theory (SAFT) model for the liquid phase to study the effect of various carriers, polymer molecular weight, polymer crystallinity, and the effect of excess monomer on the SLE behavior of polyethylene. It is seen that the polyethylene−carrier SLE temperature correlates well with the onset of agglomeration for the carriers considered in this study.

The Effect of Pure Component Characteristic Parameters on Sanchez–Lacombe Equation‐of‐State Predictive Capabilities

“…Among various equation of state models, the derivatives of statistical associating fluid theory (SAFT)14–19 and the Sanchez‐Lacombe equation of state (SL EOS)1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 14, 20–23 have been widely employed for interpreting the monomer(s) sorption data. The well‐known lattice‐fluid model of Sanchez and Lacombe,20, 21 known as SL EOS, is capable of describing and predicting various temperature and pressure dependent properties of ordinary light weight compounds and polymers systems 22, 24.…”

Probing Multicomponent Thermodynamic Effects by Low- and High-Pressure Capillary Column Inverse Gas Chromatography

“…Furthermore, the ability to perform high-pressure chromatography measurements has seen limited exposure within the literature, , and CCIGC experiments investigating the effects of a solubilized gas on phase equilibria and transport properties of a solvent have never been reported. With the increasing application of supercritical media to develop novel polymers and production methods, and the continued interest of using CO 2 as an agent for enhancing molecular transport of small molecules in polymers, − the development of high-pressure CCIGC techniques to measure data at polymer processing conditions is of significant industrial and academic relevance.…”

Solubility of Polyethylene in n-Hexane and Cyclohexane: Experimental Determination and Comparison with Solid–Liquid Equilibria-Based Predictions

“…Such issues can also originate from partial solubilization of the polymer into the solvent. 6 To better understand and control the production of soluble polymer in slurry technologies, in the reactor or in downstream units, quantification of the amount and type of polymer being dissolved is necessary. To the best of our knowledge, there is currently no approach available, which can provide this essential information in the necessary depth.…”

“…In all cases, slurry PE production plants also face the risk of reactor shutdown due to fouling and/or polymer agglomeration. Such issues can also originate from partial solubilization of the polymer into the solvent …”