Modeling and simulation for correlation between operational conditions and end-use properties of high density polyethylene resins
Systematic methods and tools for managing the complexity
Process Operation, Monitoring & Analysis (T4-2)
Keywords: modeling, polymerizations conditions, end-use properties, polyethylene
The development of mathematical relationships to allow the prediction of end-use properties of polymer resins as functions of the polymerizations conditions may be very useful for the production of resins with consumer specified properties. The problem, however, is that there is a lack of theoretical knowledge regarding how end-use properties are influenced by process operation conditions. The approach used here to bridge this gap is to develop relationships between the molecular, morphological and end-use properties first and then to correlate operation conditions with molecular and morphological resin properties. Bearing this in mind, the first step in this work is to build-up empiric models relating intrinsic and end-use properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE). Statistical correlation analysis was performed for all variables and used as the basis for proper choice of inputs to each outputs model. Subsequently, a process composed of two tubular reactors and a non-ideal stirred tank reactor, representative of many industrial plants, where different operational modes may be used as case study. Polyethylene resins produced in a second generation petrochemical industry and applied in the injection plastic molding were evaluated experimentally, since it is an important commodity nowadays. The developed models were compared to experimental data and good predictions were obtained.
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