Bench scale reactors and reactor design

• Based on our 40 year’s experience in polymerisation field, we offer to design, engineering and start-up bench scale olefin polymerisation reactor setups.
• The reactor sizes can vary from small scale (0,2 l) to pilot size reactors (ca 20 l).
• Alternatively, we can design and rebuild old, existing reactor systems to be more safe and controllable.
• Training is also part of our services.

The design and set up of bench scale reactors include

• Multi-step reactors for bulk, slurry and gas-phase conditions.
• Reactor sizes from 0,2 to 20 liters.
• Separate flash-tanks can be included (for vaporization of solvents); used especially in connection with bigger reactors.
• Reactors can be built either for batch or semi-continuous operation (continuous/batch feeding of monomer, comonomer and hydrogen; solvent and polymer output as batch).
• Fully automated reactors including automatic stop and vent off at dedicated time and/or accumulated flows.
• Temperature control system for fast start-up and precise control.
• Process control system.
• We are using e.g. InTouch by Wonderware and LabVIEW.
• The system can also be chosen according to customer needs.

Output from the system

• The process control overview updated at preferred intervals.
• Data collection (pressures, temperatures, feeds, accumulated flows, etc.).
• Trend curves.
• Gas transport in pipelines (chemically cleaned tubes - stainless steel, min. 200 bars) from the storage tanks include sophisticated inline purifiers to remove impurities (CO, CO2, H2O, COS, H2S, etc.) down to ppb level.
• Pressure supply feeding system with low and precise flows of flammable liquids and gases.

Safety

• Automatic safety arrangements like automatic stop and vent off from head-space at unsafe conditions predicted by software controlled from PLS and/or independent systems.
• Explosion (EX) proof equipments, if required.
• Safety evaluation and HAZOP studies are included.
• Explosion walls or roof designed and built to take care of unexpected explosion.
• On-line control of hydrocarbon and oxygen concentrations in all reactor rooms with an automatic link to safety system.
• Safety arrangements are made according to national standards of the present site.
• Training on safety will be done according to customer needs.
• Training is included (will be done according to customer needs), also connected to the polymerizations done in the start-up.

Our services include

• Consultation on polyolefin & other hydrocarbon-based bench scale reactor setups.
• Trouble shooting of existing laboratory, pilot and commercial reactors (including products), at any customer in polyolefin field.