SYSTAG Automation: “Easy accessibility” ethylene polymerization solution

SYSTAG Automation has developed a highly accessible solution for semi-continuous ethylene polymerization system that incorporates process optimization and thermal safety investigation using on-line Fourier-Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy.

The solution described here offers three litter capacity jacketed reactor and operates at pressures of up to 100 bar, with reaction calorimetry capability to process three dosages semi-continuously.

Hardware features

The Easy Accessibility Ethylene Polymerization system is based around a three-liter 100 bar reactor, with capability to process three liquid dosages simultaneously at up to 60bar pressures.

Closely controlled ethylene dosage is from precision flow control using Coriolis flow-metering technology. The mass balance of the process reactor is coupled to a level sensor and an automated bottom drain valve. The process tank can be automatically emptied periodically into a downstream collecting vessel. Process control is done by on-line FT-IR integration for kinetic studies.

Pulsation free feeding is assured using three high pressure (up to 60 bars) pumps.
The whole hardware set up is EEx Compliant.

Detailed features also include:

• Product receiver with mass balance
• Fill-level & drain control
• Explosion-proof pumps

Software functionality

Easy accessibility SYSTAG Automation also emphasizes highly capable and user-friendly software to control the whole ethylene polymerization process, including calorimetry: heat & power of reaction and accumulation.

The control system features:

• recipe control mode
• on-line trend
• data logging
• MS-Word based eLab Journal
• FT-IR on-line data transfer
• process control depending on absorbance of selected wave length
• Total mass balance (feed vs drain)
• Fill level sensor with low and high limit
• Automatic gas exchange for inerting reactor (O2 sensitive)