CFD modeling of a bubble column reactor for the production of linear alpha olefins / Adil Ali Mohammed Alhussein ; Supervised Tarek M. Moustafa , Seif-Eddeen K. Fateen , Tamer S. Ahmed

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering - Department of Chemical Engineering

Linear Ü-olefins (LAOs) have found wide applications in various areas of petrochemical synthesis including the co-monomer for linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and the generation of plasticizers, detergents, surfactants, and lubricants. The purpose of this thesis is to develop a kinetic model and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model for bubble column reactor for the oligomerization of ethylene to LAOs. The development of such model helps in the study of the behavior of industrial LAOs reactors, as well as in the optimization of their operation. The connection between the reaction kinetics and fluid dynamics can add a real depth and provide a great understanding to industrial LAOs reactor. In addition, the kinetic model has been used in the simulation of falling film column to understanding the specifics of the absorption/reaction process for this reaction. Three main studies have been performed. The first is the development of a kinetic model of the oligomerization of ethylene to LAOs for zirconium/aluminum and nickel/zinc catalyst systems. The second is the simulation of the oligomerization reaction of ethylene in industrial bubble column reactor for isothermal and non-isothermal operation. Finally, the third is the simulation of the oligomerization reaction of ethylene in a falling film column.In the first study, the kinetic model has been developed based on a four-step mechanism: site activation, initiation and propagation, chain transfer and site deactivation. The values of the kinetic parameters have been obtained for the developed kinetic models for two catalyst systems: zirconium/aluminum- and nickel/zinc-based catalysts systems

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