Multiphasic reactors for polyolefins production

Principal Invesigator: Prof. Alberto Di Renzo

Co-Investigator(s): Prof. Francesco Paolo Di Mario, Prof. Mojtaba Ghadiri

Industrial Supervisor(s): Ing. Nicolò Arich De Finetti

Project Sponsor(s): LyondellBasell Industries Status

Status: Ongoing (2019 - present)

Abstract

For many years the production of polypropylene was entrusted to a two-stage process, which involved the use of two reactors in series.  This produced a non-homogeneous product. In order to improve the level of homogeneity and therefore the processability of the material produced, the new multi-zone circulating reactor approach was developed. The process was extensively studied and implemented and was developed in the second half of the 90s by Basell Polyolefins, corporate partner of the project. The innovative idea is based on the use of a fluidized circulating reactor, which allows to carry out the polymerization reaction in two different operating conditions (for fluidics and chemical composition) within a single reactor obtaining a polymer with two combined performance characteristics at "intraparticle" level. The study of the project is conducted using the DEM-CFD simulation technique and aims to:
- modelling of the system
- identification and optimization of operating and geometric parameters
- identification of inefficiencies and possible resolution

In collaboration with Ghadiri Reserach Group, we will proceed with the characterization of electrostatic charge in polymers, in order to modelling it and define ways of its control.