T. B. Mikenas

Molecular structure of polyethylene produced with supported vanadium-magnesium catalyst

The molecular structure of polyethylene (PE) produced with supported titanium-magnesium (TMC) and vanadium-magnesium (VMC) catalysts has been studied by means of IR and 13 C NMR spectroscopic methods. It has been shown that PE produced with VMC in the presence of hydrogen differs by a lower content of double bonds and higher branching compared with PE obtained with TMC. Furthermore, branching is observed both in the heptane-soluble low molecular weight fraction and in the high molecular weight fraction of PE. 13 C NMR studies of the low molecular weight fraction of PE showed the presence of methyl branches. Intramolecular isomerization of the growing polymer chains involving hydrogen seems to be a possible reason for the formation of methyl branches.

New generation of supported Ziegler-type catalysts for polyethylene production

On the basis of new methods of synthesis of magnesium-containing carriers with the use of soluble organomagnesium compounds a wide spectrum of supported titanium-magnesium and vanadium-magnesium catalysts of various composition with controllable optimal morphology for obtaining versatile brands of polyethylene by suspension and gas-phase methods was elaborated. The usage of various modifications of these catalysts allows production of high amount (up to 1000 kg/g Ti) of polyethylene of high, medium, and low density with narrow and wide molecular weight distribution (including bimodal) as well as different brands of polyethylene ultrahigh molecular weight.

Antiturbulent Powers of Higher Polyolefins and Olefin Terpolymers

Terpolymers of ethylene with propylene and higher α-olefins with various compositions and molecular weights were synthesized, as well as copolymers with higher poly-α-olefins with various molecular weights. The possibility of laboratory assessment of the antiturbulent power of polymers and turborheometric determination of the volumes and molecular weights of poly-α-olefin macromolecules was examined.

Analysis of the molecular structure of ethylene hexene-1 copolymers produced over highly active supported Ziegler-Natta catalysts

The mechanical and rheological properties of ethylene α-olefin copolymers are governed by a molecular and supramolecular structure that depends on its molecular weight characteristics, comonomer concentration, and the uniformity of branching distributions for polymer chains with different molecular weights (compositional heterogeneity). Using state-of-the-art methods, we study the parameters of molecular weight distribution, molecular structure, and compositional heterogeneity of ethylene hexene-1 copolymers with different compositions, produced over highly active supported Ti-Mg and V-Mg Ziegler-Natta catalysts, and show the possibility of controlling these parameters to improve the quality of the resulting polymers.

Elaboration and realisation of innovative projects by “Tomskneftekhim” Ltd. and Institute of Catalysis of SB RAS in frames of special economic zone

The history of innovative projects creation for potential resident of SEZ started in 2005 when the Tomsk Oblast Governor V.M. Kress addressed the President of “AK” “SIBUR” OJSC, A.V. Dyukov a request to consider the prospects of allocation of the implementational Company divisions on the territory of SEZ and, in case of positive decision, to participate with the Administration of Oblast in preparation of regions to a competition on obtaining the right of creation of technical promotional type of SEZ on its own territory. Giving a consent, the President of the Company requested to include “Tomskneftekhim” Ltd. in the list of SEZ potential residents with two innovative projects, elaborated together with the Institute of Catalysys of SO RAN. These projects include: 1. Production technology elaboration of ultrahigh molecular polyethylene (UHMPE). 2. The creation of pilot plant and elaboration of processing for production of modern high effective catalysts for polypropylene and high density polyethylene manufacture. These projects are based on the use of highly effective titanium magnesium supported catalysts elaborated by Institute of Catalysis of SO RAN. The preparation method of these catalysts allows production of different modifi cations of these catalysts in frames of unifi ed technological scheme, which can be used for obtaining various polyolefi ns (UHMPE, polypropylene, high density polyethylene). “Tomskneftekhim” Ltd. was committed to prepare business plans and other documents necessary for running technical implementational activity in SEZ agreement. In December 2005 Tomsk Oblast won the competition on creation of implementation SEZ. “SIBUR” Ltd. fi nances the site reconstruction and innovative projects of “Tomskneftelhim” Ltd. and Institute of Catalysis (IC) with the support of Rosnauka (State contract No 02.431.11.7003). By present “SIBUR” Ltd. built on this site corporate scientifi c center “NIOST” Ltd. specializing on polymers and rubbers, which became the best equipped and staffed in the country. Objectively, only “SIBUT” Ltd. among Russian petrochemical companies is currently engaged in the development of Russian catalyst and polymerization technologies for the future application.