Quantification of polyethylene wax in semibatch laboratory reactor and a study of different parameters on wax production as a by-product in the slurry ethylene polymerization

In coordination polymerization of alpha-olefins utilizing Ziegler-Natta catalysts via slurry, polyolefin is produced with other by-products such as polyethylene wax. Wax is defined as a linear short chain saturated by hydrocarbons in the relevant industries. Hexane and heptane are two of the most common suspending agents for the slurry process and wax molecules are soluble or swollen in these kinds of liquids. After termination of polymerization, wax separates from the main product by physical processes. A procedure for wax quantification in a laboratory reactor is suggested. Also, impacts of various factors such as reaction duration, pressure, and cocatalyst on wax generation have been investigated. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013