The high-pressure Lupotech A autoclave reactor process is used to produce low-density polyethylene (LDPE) homopolymers, EVA and various acrylic type copolymers. Single-train capacity of up to125,000 tpy can be provided.
Ethylene, initiator and, if applicable, comonomers are fed to the process and compressed to pressures up to 2,400 bar before entering the autoclave reactor.
The polymer properties (MI, density, MWD) are controlled by the initiator, pressure, temperature profile and comonomer content. After the reactor, excess ethylene is recovered and recycled to the reactor feed stream. The polymer melt is mixed with additives in an extruder to yield the final product.
A range of products can be obtained using the Lupotech A process, including standard LDPE grades to EVA copolymers or n-butyl-acrylate modified copolymer. The products can be applied in (shrink) film extrusion, extrusion coating, injection molding, extrusion blow molding, pipe extrusion, pipe coating, tapes and monofilaments.
There is no limit to the number of reactor grades that can be produced. The product mix can be adjusted to match market demand and economical product ranges. Advantages for the autoclave reactor design with low residence time are easy and quick transitions, startup and shutdown.
Reactor grades from MI 0.15 to 400 and from density 0.913 to 0.932 g/cm3, with comonomer content up to 40% can be prepared.
Licensor: Equistar (legal entity) LyondellBasell
