Comparison of Rheological Models for Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Produced in High-Pressure Tubular Reactors

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

Boston - virtual

Congreso; AICHE Annual Meeting 2021; 2021

American Institute of Chemical Engineering (AICHE)

Two distinct rheological models were applied to predict the shear viscosity curve of low-density polyethylene produced in a high-pressure tubular reactor under different operating conditions.These models required the molecular weight distribution and branching index distribution as input data. This information was calculated with a deterministic reactor model previously developed by the authors. The shear viscosity curve obtained with each rheological model was compared with experimental data from an industrial reactor. The rheological model that gave better results was identified, and the way input molecular information affected predictions was studied. In this way, a mathematical tool able to connect reactor operating conditions with molecular properties and subsequently with rheological properties was completed.