Solution Catalyst Deposition for Fluidized Bed Reactor Walls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for treating the interior surfaces of fluidized bed polymerization reactors fail to form effective and reliable polymer coatings, leading to excessive static charging and sheeting issues during polymerization reactions, particularly when using metallocene catalysts, due to non-uniform deposition and evaporation of solution catalysts before contact with the bed wall.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the introduction of a solution catalyst in liquid form to the reactor under conditions that prevent evaporation, ensuring uniform wetting and deposition on the bed wall and other surfaces, followed by a polymerization reaction to form a thick, insulating polymer coating that reduces static charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If solution catalyst is introduced into the reactor system, then polymer coating is formed on the bed wall, but the solution catalyst vaporizes or sublimates before contact with the bed wall resulting in non-uniform deposition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolymer coating effectivenessVSAvoiddeposition uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bed wall surface is preliminarily treated by roughening or applying a primer coating before introducing the solution catalyst. This preliminary action ensures that when the solution catalyst does contact the bed wall, it adheres uniformly and effectively, compensating for the non-uniform deposition caused by vaporization during transit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The introduction rate, temperature, and pressure parameters of the solution catalyst are optimized to balance between preventing complete vaporization/sublimation before bed wall contact and enabling sufficient evaporation for uniform distribution. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves both reliable polymer coating formation and adequate deposition uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If solution catalyst is applied to form thick polymer coating, then static charging is reduced, but excessive polymer material fouls reactor system components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestatic chargingVSAvoidpolymer material fouling
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The solution catalyst is applied selectively to specific areas where polymer coating is most needed for static charging control, rather than uniformly throughout the entire reactor system. This localized application ensures thick coating where required while minimizing polymer material waste and fouling of components where coating is less critical.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

A sacrificial liner or protective coating is applied to reactor system components that are vulnerable to fouling. These temporary protective layers can be easily removed or replaced, allowing thick polymer coating to be formed on the bed wall for static control while the sacrificial elements absorb any excess polymer material, preventing fouling of critical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 results in a more reliable and effective polymer coating with increased thickness, reducing the risk of sheeting and static charging, and extends the operational period of the reactor by maintaining a stable static baseline.

Implementation Method 1

introducing the solution catalyst into the reactor system under conditions such that the solution catalyst has a drying rate sufficiently low so as not to prevent at least substantially uniform wetting of each said interior surface by the solution catalyst

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWetting: Wetting

Implementation Method 2

performing a polymerization reaction, catalysed by the catalyst, to form on each said surface a polymer coating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization:

Implementation Method 3

performing a polymerization reaction, catalysed by the catalyst, to form on each said surface a polymer coating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 4

the polymer coating formed in step (b) produces an insulating layer that reduces static charging in the reactor system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic charge reduction: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentEP2118152B1Methods for applying solution catalysts to reactor surfaces
Publication Date: 2016.08.17 UNIVATION TECH LLC
  • EP2118152B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2118152B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2118152B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method for treating at least one interior surface (for example, a bed wall) of a fluidized bed polymerization reactor system, including by applying a solution catalyst (preferably at least substantially uniformly and in liquid form) to each surface, and optionally (where a catalyst component of the solution catalyst comprises at least one chromium containing compound) oxidizing at least some of the applied chromium containing compound in a controlled manner.