Effects of imperfect mixing on low‐density polyethylene reactor dynamics

Abstract

Abstract Earlier work considered the effect of feed conditions and controller configuration on the runaway behavior of LDPE autoclave reactors assuming a perfectly mixed reactor. This study provides additional insight on the dynamics of such reacton by using an imperfectly mixed reactor model and bifurcation analysis to show the changes in the stability region when there is imperfect macroscale mixing. The presence of imperfect mixing substantially increases the range of stable operation of the reactor and makes the process much easier to control than for a perfectly mixed reactor. The results of model analysis and simulations are used to identify some of the conditions that lead to unstable reactor behavior and to suggest ways to avoid reactor runaway or reactor extinction during grade transitions and other process operation disturbances.