ASPEN PLUS SIMULATION OF POLYETHYLENE GASIFICATION UNDER EQUILIBRIUM CONDITIONS

The gasification process of polyethylene (PE) was successfully modeled using a combination of various unit operation modules available in the Aspen Plus simulation package. The study presents significant insight into the effect of various process parameters on the polyethylene gasification process under equilibrium conditions that has not been reported elsewhere. The simulation tool was used to predict the product composition and temperature for varying cases of steam and airflow rates and pressure. Based on the simulation results, the behavior of the conversion process was characterized according to the combined and individual fractional efficiencies. Finally, the optimum conditions that would yield a maximum conversion for the PE gasification process have been identified and reported.