Development of antistatic agents for commercial gas-phase polyolefin reactors

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Fine polymer powders may acquire electrostatic charges in gas-phase polymerization reactors and powder transfer lines, which may give rise to formation of agglomerates due to particle-particle adhension and reactor fouling when Highly charged powders adhere to reactor walls, leading to undesirable by-products and premature shut-down of the commercial reactors.      Electrostatics has generally been poorly explored for polymeric powders due to the lack of suitable tools for quantifying powder charges and the complexity of powder compositions. Based on our extensive experience attained in recent years, we propose to apply two novel techniques, one in-situ charge monitoring device and one on-line Faraday cup fluidized bed test unit, to explore potential antistatic agents for control and reduction of electrostatic charges in commercial gas-phase polymerization reactors, in collaboration with NOVA Chemicals company in Calgary. The proposed work focuses on quantifying charging characteristics of various polyolefin powders and antistatic agents in both laboratory test units located at UBC and pilot plant test unit located at NOVA Chemicals research centre. The improved understanding of electrostatic charge generation mechanisms and new technologies to be developed from this work are expected to help the industry to develop new strategies to reduce charge generation and buildup in commercial reactors, leading to increased productivity and the prevention of premature process shut-down due to reactor fouling.