Simulation study on commercial polypropylene production - Effect of productivity on the required reactor coolant and catalyst

• Main Authors: Adhi, Tri Partono, Afandi, Dodi
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysts; Coolants; Polymerization; Polypropylene; Productivity; Simulation models; Steady state models
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0194737

In the polymerization process in the polypropylene industry, the reactor coolant and catalyst are essential, affecting the polymerization reaction, production rate, and product properties. A process simulation model was developed based on mass and energy balance, thermodynamics, and kinetics to predict the required reactor coolant and catalyst’s desired productivity during polymerization. Using the Aspen Plus software, steady-state models were developed for the commercial polypropylene process of LyondellBasell’s Spheripol technology. Tubular loop reactor models were proposed to simulate the reactor behavior. The simulation models were validated using actual data from industrial polypropylene manufacturers. This paper discusses the use of the validated models to study desired productivity of the required reactor coolant and catalyst. Finally, the required cooling water has a lower operational cost than refrigerated water, so an alternative reactor coolant was proposed based on desired productivity.