Simulation of an industrial olefin polymerization FBR operating under condensed mode

摘要

In the present study a comprehensive mathematical model is developed to describe the behavior of an industrial gas-phase olefin polymerization FBR operating under condensed mode conditions. Assuming complete mixing and instant vaporization of the liquid feed in the bed, detailed simulations were carried to investigate the effect of the amount of liquid in the ethylene feed and the composition of the recycle stream on the reactor temperature, space-time yield and heat removal rate. It was shown that the introduction of a liquid feed stream in the reactor substantially broadens the safe operation window of the FBR with concomitant the increase of the space-time yield and the heat removal rate from the reactor.