DEVELOPMENT OF A DYNAMIC MULTI-COMPARTMENT MODEL FOR THE PREDICTION OF PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION AND MOLECULAR PROPERTIES IN A CATALYTIC OLEFIN POLYMERIZATION FBR

摘要

In the present study a comprehensive multi-compartment model is developed for the prediction of particle size distribution and particle segregation in a catalytic olefin polymerization FBR. To calculate the particle growth and the spatial monomer and temperature profiles in a particle, the random pore polymeric flow model (RPPFM) is utilized. The RPPFM is solved together with a dynamic discretized particle population balance model, to predict the particle size distribution (PSD) in each compartment. In addition, the polymer molecular properties are calculated, in each reactor compartment, by employing a generalized multi-site, Ziegler-Natta, kinetic scheme. The effects of various fluidized bed operating conditions on the morphological and molecular distributed polymer properties are thoroughly analyzed.