Loading…

Experimental Evaluation of a Catalyst Fragmentation Model for Olefin Polymerization

Fragmentation of supported catalysts plays an important role on olefin polymerization, which has motivated several studies on this topic in recent years. This work aims to obtain experimental data to compare with the predictions of a theoretical model previously developed in the research group, whic...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Macromolecular reaction engineering 2020-12, Vol.14 (6), p.n/a
Main Authors: Dos Santos Boll, Bruna, Dutra, Caroline P., Santos, João H. Z., Fisch, Adriano G., Cardozo, Nilo S. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Fragmentation of supported catalysts plays an important role on olefin polymerization, which has motivated several studies on this topic in recent years. This work aims to obtain experimental data to compare with the predictions of a theoretical model previously developed in the research group, which uses only kinetic constants and the catalyst physical properties as input parameters. Three zirconocene catalysts supported on silica are used to produce polyethylene. The reaction products are calcined and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Good qualitative agreement is observed between the model predictions for radial extent of fragmentation and the experimentally observed fragmentation patterns. This includes the transition of a pattern of total fragmentation to one of partial fragmentation at the external layers of the catalyst as its pore volume decreases. Fragmentation of supported catalysts plays an important role on olefin polymerization processes. The results from a theoretical model of fragmentation are compared to experimental catalyst fragmentation data. Good qualitative agreement is observed between model predictions for radial extent and predominant mechanism of fragmentation and the experimentally observed fragmentation patterns.
ISSN:1862-832X
1862-8338
DOI:10.1002/mren.202000008