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Fouling in the High Pressure LDPE Process: Experimental and Computational Investigation Approach
Author(s) -
Fries Sebastian,
CastañedaZúñiga Diego Mauricio,
Duchateau Jan,
Neuteboom Peter,
Porras Carolina Toloza,
Busch Markus
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.201500112
Subject(s) - low density polyethylene , fouling , materials science , polymer , heat transfer , diffusion , process (computing) , chemical engineering , composite material , mechanics , thermodynamics , chemistry , membrane , engineering , biochemistry , physics , computer science , operating system
Summary A combined experimental and computational approach is presented in order to study reactor fouling in high pressure LDPE tubular reactors. Indications are found that fouling is a process driven by low polymer diffusion speeds and higher friction in the region close to the reactor wall. These findings can explain the formation of polymer rich layers on the reactor wall which are responsible for the reduction of heat transfer and typical tailing observed in molecular weight distributions of LDPE.