Growth Kinetics Obtained from Single Particle Gas- Phase Ethene Homopolymerization with a Ziegler- Natta Catalyst

The concept of using a micro-reactor tool for studying single particle polymerization is demonstrated in the present study. The micro-reactor is equipped with a video microscope for capturing the growth of polyethylene-particles during polymerization. The gas-phase polymerizations are done in conditions very close to industrial set points. As catalyst a standard 4(th) generation Ziegler-Natta system has been used. From the obtained particle growth curves the rate of polymerization is calculated and related with SEM pictures to allow better understanding of the gas-phase polymerization of ethylene. Different Al/Ti ratios and reaction temperatures are examined and explain the behavior of growing polyethylene-particles in a satisfying way.