Dynamic Multi‐Phase, Multi‐Zone Modeling of Flash Separators for Highly Viscous Polymerization Processes

Abstract

A multi-phase, multi-zone mathematical model is developed to describe the dynamic operation of an industrial high-pressure flash separator for a ternary (Ethylene-Vinyl acetate-EVA) system. The proposed description of the high-pressure separator can take into account the complex gas carry-under and liquid droplets carry-over phenomena occurring during the non-equilibrium operation of the separator. Numerical simulations have been carried out to determine the effect of operating conditions on the dynamic operation and separation efficiency of a HPS unit operating in series with an industrial scale highpressure EVA autoclave. The proposed model is capable of simulating the dynamic operation of an industrial-scale HPS over a wide range of operating conditions and EVA copolymer grades.

Mathematical Tools and Approaches for Polymerization Reaction Engineering

“…As CFD models allow for detailed computation of the most important reactor variables as functions of time and reactor position, the number of CFD applications has grown steadily in the field, allowing for critical evaluation of well-established modeling approaches and reactor operation policies. The paper by Pladis et al [17] proposes a multi-zone modeling approach for a multi-phase reaction process that resembles the CFD approach in many aspects, including the spatial distribution of reaction variables inside the analyzed reaction vessels. I hope the readers will sincerely appreciate this very fine collection of modeling and numerical papers and will feel stimulated to (continue to) work in this very interesting and important engineering field.…”