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

Congreso; 2021 AIChE Annual Meeting; 2021

AIChE- American Institute of Chemical Engineers

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