Polyethylene Fluidized Bed Reactor Fouling Due to Electrostatic Charging

气-固流化床反应器中的一个主要问题是颗粒团聚和反应器壁结垢，已知这是由于固体颗粒在这种系统中的剧烈混合而产生静电荷的结果。据报道，这种现象在聚合物、石油和天然气等行业产生了重大影响。在聚乙烯气-固流化床反应器中，由于高度带电的颗粒引起的静电粘附导致在反应器壁上形成不期望的聚合物片，导致用于反应器清理的频繁工艺唐斯、生产损失;以及因此显著的经济损失。聚乙烯在我们的日常生活中大量使用，包括包装、粘合剂、玩具、建筑和施工（例如，自2006年以来，我在渥太华大学化学和生物工程系建立了两个流化实验室，其中包括两个中试装置，一个常压和高压流化系统，并建立了广泛的实验计划，以更好地了解气固流化床中反应器壁结垢，并具体应用于聚乙烯生产。我的研究团队已经成功地开发了一种新的和独特的在线静电荷测量技术，已在两个流化系统中实施。拟议的研究的重点是进行全面的研究聚乙烯的静电充电机制。具体地说，将研究催化剂颗粒的作用，该催化剂颗粒被输送到聚乙烯反应器中，对电荷产生和反应器结垢的程度。

One major problem in gas-solid fluidized bed reactors is particle agglomeration and reactor wall fouling, which is known to be as a result of generation of electrostatic charges due to vigorous mixing of solid particles in such systems. The significant impact of this phenomenon has been reported in industries such as polymer, and oil and gas. In polyethylene gas-solid fluidized bed reactors, electrostatic adhesion due to highly charged particles results in formation of undesired polymer sheets on the reactor wall, leading to frequent process shut downs for reactor clean up, loss of production; and thus, significant economic losses. Polyethylene is used substantially in our daily lives including packaging, adhesives, toys, building and construction (e.g., wires/cables), etc. Since 2006, I have set up two fluidization laboratories at the University of Ottawa, Chemical and Biological Engineering Department that consist of two pilot plant, one atmospheric and high-pressure, fluidization systems, and have established an extensive experimental program to gain a better understanding of the reactor wall fouling in gas-solid fluidized beds with specific application in polyethylene production. My research team has been successful in developing a new and unique online electrostatic charge measurement technique that has been implemented in both fluidization systems. The focus of the proposed research is to conduct a comprehensive study of electrostatic charging mechanisms of polyethylene. Specifically the role of the catalyst particles that are pneumatically conveyed into the polyethylene reactors on the extent of charge generation and reactor fouling will be studied.