Fouling in the High Pressure LDPE Process: Experimental and Computational Investigation Approach

Abstract

Summary A combined experimental and computational approach is presented in order to study reactor fouling in high pressure LDPE tubular reactors. Indications are found that fouling is a process driven by low polymer diffusion speeds and higher friction in the region close to the reactor wall. These findings can explain the formation of polymer rich layers on the reactor wall which are responsible for the reduction of heat transfer and typical tailing observed in molecular weight distributions of LDPE.