Multi-objective optimization of an industrial slurry phase ethylene polymerization reactor
Amit Kumar Thakur, Santosh K. Gupta, Rahul Kumar, Nilanjana Banerjee, Pranava Chaudhari · International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering · 2021
Abstract Slurry polymerization processes using Zeigler–Natta catalysts are most widely used for the production of polyethylene due to their several advantages over other processes. Optimal operating conditions are required to obtain the maximum productivity of the polymer at minimal cost while ensuring operational safety in the slurry phase ethylene polymerization reactors. The main focus of this multi-objective optimization study is to obtain the optimal operating conditions corresponding to the maximization of productivity and yield at a minimal operating cost. The tuned reactor model has been optimized. The single objective optimization (SOO) and multi-objective optimization (MOO) problems are solved using non-dominating sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II). A complete range of Pareto optimal solutions are obtained to obtain the maximum productivity and polymer yield at different input costs.