Abstract:
Devices and methods for determining the cumulative distribution of a polymer property in a reactor without physical separation of reaction subcomponents. The device includes a means of measuring an instantaneous property of the polymers being produced in a reaction vessel a plurality of times during a polymerization reaction as well as a means of determining the corresponding change in polymer concentration in the reaction vessel between measurements of the instantaneous polymer property The device also includes a means of computing a statistical distribution appropriate to the polymer characteristic and applying the statistical distribution to a recently measured instantaneous value of the polymer property so as to have an instantaneous distribution of the polymer property and a means of adding together the instantaneous distributions of the polymer property in order to obtain the cumulative distribution of the polymer property in the reactor.
Abstract:
A method of producing olefins and aromatic compounds from a plastic feedstock includes introducing a plastic feedstock and a catalyst composition that is suitable for converting the plastic feedstock to at least one of olefins and aromatic compounds within a reactor. The reactor has a reactor flow path having a length L between the inlet and outlet. The temperature in the reactor is monitored in at least one location that is at or adjacent to the inlet at a temperature-monitoring distance that is from 0.3 L or less from the inlet. In response to the monitored temperatures one or more parameters are modified. At least a portion of the plastic feedstock is allowed to be converted to at least one of olefins and aromatic compounds within the reactor, which are removed as a product stream.
Abstract:
Apparatus for producing gas, comprising: a reactor (R) that holds a determined volume arranged to contain two or more reactants and at least one gas; a connection circuit (S), arranged to put the reactor (R) in communication with a user (U); a supply device (2), arranged to supply at least one reactant to the reactor (R); a control module (MC), connected to the supply device (2); a control valve (5), connected to the control module (MC), which is arranged to regulate, following a command, the supply of gas to the user (U); a first pressure detector (6), arranged to detect a first pressure (P1) of the gas upstream of the control valve (5), which is connected to the control module (MC) and sends the control module (MC) a first signal indicating the pressure (P1) detected; a second pressure detector (7), arranged to detect a second pressure (P2) of the gas downstream of the control valve (5), which is connected to the control module (MC) and sends the control module (MC) a second signal indicating the pressure (P2) detected.
Abstract:
Embodiments of our invention relate generally to methods of monitoring and controlling polymerization reactions including reactions producing multimodal polymer products using multiple catalysts in a single reactor. Embodiments of the invention provide methods of rapidly monitoring and controlling polymerization reactions without the need to sample and test the polymer properties. The method uses reactor control data and material inventory data in a mathematical leading indicator function to control the reactor conditions, and thereby the products produced under those conditions.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren, mit dem die Zusammensetzung einer zur Herstellung eines Polymers verwendeten Polymermischung, -schmelze und/oder -lösung überwacht wird sowie einen Analyseautomaten (27). Zur Herstellung des Polymers wird die Polymermischung, -schmelze und/oder -lösung durch ein Anlagenvolumen geleitet, aus dem ein von der Polymermischung, -schmelze und/oder -lösung gebildetes Probengas vorzugsweise an mehreren Probenentnahmestellen (30 bis 36) abgeleitet wird. Das Probengas wird zu einem Massenspektrometer (28) geführt, das automatisch ein für die Zusammensetzung des Probengases repräsentatives Analysensignal ausgibt. Die Probenentnahmestelle ist über eine automatisch schaltbare Absperreinrichtung (47, 48) mit dem Massenspektrometer durchschaltbar verbunden, so dass auch mehrere Probenentnahmestellen nacheinander vom Massenspektrometer (28) abgefragt werden können. Durch die Verwendung des Massenspektrometers (28) ist eine sehr genaue Analyse der Zusammensetzung des Probengases und eine exakte Steuerung der Prozessparameter der bei der Polymerherstellung eingesetzten Reaktorsysteme möglich. Das Verfahren und der Analyseautomat sind insbesondere bei der Polykondensation einsetzbar.
Abstract:
A control system (35) for a chemical reactor (10) in which an exothermic reaction takes place, includes a sensor (38, 39) arranged to monitor a parameter indicative of temperature within the chemical reactor (10), a rate-of-change calculator (56) to determine the rate of change of temperature with time, and at least one rate-monitoring means (60, 62) to monitor the observed rate of change of temperature. The monitoring means (60, 62) provides an output signal (64, 66, 68) in response to the observed rate of change. This output signal (64, 66, 68) is used in providing a signal to actuate a flow control means (33), to control the flow rate of reactants to the reactor (10).
Abstract:
In some embodiments, a method of monitoring a resin-producing polymerization reaction in a fluid bed reactor system to generate reaction parameter data in on-line fashion, wavelet transforming the reaction parameter data to generate frequency-domain data or determining kurtosis of each of at least two subsets of the reaction parameter data, and optionally also determining from the frequency-domain data or kurtosis values an indication of at least one of degree of resin stickiness, an approach to or imminence of resin stickiness, and an approach to or imminence of an unsafe or undesired reactor operating condition that can result in sheeting or chunking. Optionally also, the reaction is controlled in response to the kurtosis values or frequency-domain data, for example, in an effort to prevent the occurrence of sheeting or another discontinuity event or to maintain the reactor in a stable, non-sticking condition.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for use in controlling the reaction temperature of a fuel processor are disclosed. The apparatus includes a fuel processor reactor, the reactor including a water gas shift reaction section; a temperature sensor disposed within the reaction section; a coolant flow line through the reaction section; and an automated control system. The automated control system controls the reaction temperature by determining a first component for a setting adjustment for the actuator from the measured temperature and a setpoint for the measured temperature; determining a second component for the setting adjustment from a hydrogen production rate for the fuel processor; and determining the setting adjustment from the first and second components.
Abstract:
Methods are provided for determining and controlling polymer properties on-line in a polymerization reactor system, such as a fluidized bed reactor. The methods include obtaining a regression model for determining a polymer property, the regression model including principal component loadings and principal component scores, acquiring a Raman spectrum of a polyolefin sample comprising polyolefin, calculating a new principal component score from at least a portion of the Raman spectrum and the principal component loadings, and calculating the polymer property by applying the new principal component score to the regression model. The property can be controlled by adjusting at least one polymerization parameter based on the calculated polymer property.