Steady state simulation of continuous-flow stirred-tank slurry propylene polymerization reactors

Methodologies are developed for studying the steady-state operation of propylene polymerization in continuous-flow stirred tank reactors (CFSTRs). The effect of several reactor operating variables and reaction variables (e.g., mean residence time, catalyst deactivation rate, multisite catalyst activity, etc.) on polymer properties is obtained. It is found that a compromise has to be made between the yield of the polymer and its polydispersity index, since they usually show opposing trends with the mean residence time