Technology

Reactor System

Advanced SCLAIRTECH™ technology (AST) is a significantly updated version of SCLAIRTECH™ technology based on a number of modifications and centered on a set of 2 sequential autoclave reactors, each fitted with independent monomer, comonomer, and catalyst feed systems^[1].  The two autoclave reactors can be operated in single or dual-series mode. One reactor is a cold, high-intensity mixing reactor and the other is a hot reactor using modified ‘‘traditional’’ mixing characteristics. Solvent, monomer and comonomers are introduced independently into each reactor^[2]. The reactors are operated at intermediate pressures, at temperatures from 140 to 300°C, with a high ethylene conversion rate^[3]. The short residence times that figure heavily in SCLAIRTECH™ technology are retained in AST^[1].

Products

Discrete polymers can be produced in each reactor under a different set of tightly controlled conditions, enabling production of novel polyethylenes with bimodal MWDs having specific end-use properties. Densities ranging from 0.905 to 0.967 g/cm³ with melt indices ranging from 0.2 to 150 dg/10 min can be produced in the AST process.

References

1. Dr. Faisal H. Syed, Dr. William D. Vernon, Chemical Market Resources, Inc., NEW GENERATION POLYOLEFINS, Jun-Jul 2002, Volume 7, Issue n° 6.
2. Aubee, Norman Dorien Joseph et al., Advanced Solution Process Technology for Cast Film Applications: New Opportunities Using Novel Catalyst Technologies, Journal of Plastic Film & Sheeting 20 (2004): 167 - 183.
3. Glenn Price & Eric Clavelle, NOVA Chemicals Research & Technology Centre, CFD: Perspectives of a Commodity Chemical Company, CFD in Chemical Reaction Engineering IV, 19^th-24^th Jun 2005, Barga, Italy.