Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, Vol.74, No.1, 77-83, 1996
Statistical Assessment of Gas-Liquid Mass-Transfer in Slurry-Phase Propylene Polymerization Process
A statistical approach was developed to investigate the effects of pressure, temperature, mixing speed and solid concentration on k(L)a for gaseous hydrogen, ethylene, and propylene in liquid n-hexane containing solid polypropylene powder in a 4-litre agitated reactor. The solubilities of the gases appeared to follow Henry’s Law. Statistical correlations to predict k(L)a were proposed and response surfaces were constructed. k(L)a values appeared to reach a maximum around 15 mass % and sharply decrease above 30 mass %. The effects of pressure and temperature on k(L)a were found to depend on the gas-liquid system and operating conditions used.