Dynamic characteristics of an LDPE autoclave reactor with heat transfer

A compact type LDPE autoclave reactor is analyzed with respect to the effects of the initiator feed concentration and the rate of heat transfer by employing the mixing-cell model with backflow. Singularity theory is applied for the single-cell model so that one can construct all the possible bifurcation diagrams. Since the single-cell model may not be adequate for the actual reactor, a two-cell model is also treated to predict the dynamic behavior of the reactor. As the rate of heat transfer increases, various multiplicity patterns and oscillatory motions are found. Apparently, the monomer conversion can be substantially increased with proper he-at removal and initiator supplement scheme. For this, however, the complex dynamic features accompanied must be taken into consideration in the reactor design.