Mathematical modelling of rheological properties of low-density polyethylene produced in high-pressure tubular reactors

DIETRICH, MAIRA L.; BRANDOLIN, ADRIANA; SARMORIA, CLAUDIA; ASTEASUAIN, MARIANO

IFAC-PapersOnLine

Elsevier B.V.

Año: 2021 vol. 54 p. 378 - 382

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a commodity polymer widely used in a variety of applications. Due to the complexity of its molecular structure, which includes molecular weight distribution and randomly distributed long-chain branching, its rheological behavior is varied. In the present work, a mathematical model is used to predict molecular and rheological properties of LDPE produced in a high-pressure tubular reactor under different operating conditions. The agreement between flow curve predictions and experimental data is very good, demonstrating the potential of this model as a predictive tool for industrial producers.