Conceptual modelling and optimization of jacketed tubular reactors for the production of LDPE

Abstract This paper deals with the model based optimization of tubular reactors for the production of LDPE. Due to the high complexity, solving an optimization problem of an industrial application is not straightforward. Often researchers seek the shortest way to reach their final goal by going directly to the development of a high-complexity model and optimize this with respect to a certain objective. Although this approach seems the fastest way to success, it can be a bumpy road with a lot of dead ends. Therefore, a divide and conquer strategy is adopted, i.e., first develop a conceptual low-complexity model, set up the optimization problem and then use the obtained knowledge during the optimization of more complex models. The aim of this paper is to give the results of the three steps which have to be accomplished in order to achieve this subgoal. First, the multizone process of LDPE production is modelled as a sequence of conceptual modules which simulate the steady-state characteristics of one reaction and cooling zone. Then, this model is fitted to industrial data such that it quantitatively describes the real process. Finally, a multiple objective design optimization problem is formulated, i.e., where along the reactor and which amount of initiator has to be injected to maximize the profit at different economic situations.