Zifang Guo

Ethylene Polymerization Using Improved Polyethylene Catalyst

Abstract The study concerns the use of MgCl 2 -supported high-activity Ziegler-Natta catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene. In particular, two types of catalysts were investigated, which were N-catalyst (BRICI) and improved polyethylene catalyst. The effects of catalyst structure on kinetic behavior were examined. The distribution of active centers in these catalysts was investigated by energy dispersive analysis by X-rays (EDAX), and morphologies of catalyst particles and polymer products were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Hydrogen response and copolymerization performance were investigated and compared with the two catalysts. The results were correlated with the kinetic behavior of the two catalysts and appropriate models for polymer particle growth were presented. The improved polyethylene catalyst showed higher activity, better hydrogen response and copolymerization performance.

Novel High Performance Ziegler-Natta Catalyst for Ethylene Slurry Polymerization

Abstract A novel high performance MgCl2/TiCl4 catalyst with tetrabutyloxsilicane as electron donor was prepared for ethylene slurry polymerization process. The properties of the catalyst such as particle size distribution, catalytic activity, hydrogen responsibility and copolymerization performance were investigated and compared with commercial catalyst (imported catalyst). Copolymerization of ethylene and 1-butylene using the catalyst was studied in a pilot plant. The composition, structure and property of the copolymer were characterized by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) and gel permeation chromatography-Infrared (GPC-IR), and compared with those of the copolymer obtained from a commercial catalyst. In comparison with the commercial catalyst, the novel catalyst had a higher activity (up to 34.6 kg·g−1) and a better particle size distribution (PSD), and produced polymers having higher bulk density (up to 0.37 g·cm−3) with less fine resin. Meanwhile, the novel catalyst showed a higher hydrogen responsibility and better copolymerization performance. The results indicated that the copolymer obtained from the novel catalyst has a higher branch in the high molecular weight fraction and lower branch in the low molecular weight fraction.