Multi-Point Injection Pump for High Pressure Ethylene Polymerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
High pressure polymerization processes for ethylene often require multiple injection pumps to manage initiator distribution across multiple reaction zones, leading to increased costs and complexity due to the limitation of single injection point per pump.
Innovation Solution
Designing an injection pump system that allows for the injection of initiators at multiple points within a high pressure reactor, enabling each pump to serve multiple reaction zones, thereby reducing the number of pumps needed and enhancing cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If one injection pump is used to inject initiator at one injection point, then the initiator injection is simple to control, but the number of pumps increases and cost increases when multiple reaction zones need to be served
Solution Approach 1:
The injection pump is designed with a multi-functional capability to serve multiple reaction zones through multiple injection points. The pump system includes multiple injection points (at least two) that can inject initiator into different reaction zones, allowing one pump to perform the function of multiple pumps while reducing overall system complexity and cost.
2Reliability
If multiple injection pumps are used to serve multiple reaction zones, then each reaction zone receives adequate initiator supply, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The injection pump system is designed so that a single pump can reliably supply initiator to multiple reaction zones through multiple injection points. This multi-functional design maintains adequate initiator supply for each reaction zone while reducing the total number of pumps required, thereby lowering device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The function of multiple injection pumps is merged into a single injection pump system with multiple injection points. The pump integrates the capability to serve multiple reaction zones that would traditionally require separate pumps, combining multiple functions into one device to reduce complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Ease of operation
If one pump serves one reaction zone, then the system is simple to operate, but more pumps are needed to cover multiple reaction zones increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The injection pump is designed as a universal device that can operate for multiple reaction zones through multiple injection points. This design maintains operational simplicity while improving cost-effectiveness by reducing the total number of pumps needed in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the operation of multiple pumps into a single multi-functional pump. This consolidation reduces the number of devices that need to be manufactured, installed, and maintained, thereby improving ease of manufacture and cost-effectiveness while preserving operational simplicity through centralized control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for efficient initiator distribution across multiple reaction zones with fewer pumps, reducing operational costs and simplifying the polymerization process while maintaining effective polymerization control.
Implementation Method 1
High pressure polymerization processes for ethylene often require multiple injection pumps to manage initiator distribution across multiple reaction zones
Implementation Method 2
The initiator, typically an oxygen or organic free-radical initiator, is injected to the reactor system to initiate the polymerization reaction
Implementation Method 3
fresh ethylene from an ethylene supply is compressed to reactor pressure
Implementation Method 4
That mixture leaves the reactor through a valve, generally referred to as a high pressure let down valve
Implementation Method 5
enters a separation system in which unreacted monomer is separated from the polymer
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an apparatus and a process for polymerizing ethylene under high pressure providing more than one injection point for one initiator injection pump.