Improved single phase modeling of propylene polymerization in a fluidized bed reactor

Ahmad Shamiri, Mohd Azlan Hussain*, Farouq Sabri Mjalli, Navid Mostoufi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)35-47
Number of pages13
JournalComputers and Chemical Engineering
Volume36
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 10 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Fluidized bed reactor
  • Mathematical modeling
  • Polymerization
  • Polypropylene
  • Ziegler-Natta catalyst

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Computer Science Applications

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