My hwk Q that I was trying to find the answer to yesterday is this below but I don't know exactly how the placticizing process works. I compiled the chemicals I think I need but other than that I'm stumped as to how to put them together or how.
Q:
A water pipe has burst in your home. Being a poor college student and a good organic laboratory student you decide to fix the pipe yourself keeping in mind that a simple patch will not work. You will have to construct your own piping. your are able to order any chemicals needed. Describe what polymer you would make, why, and how.
I don't even know why they ask us these things...anyway. I came up with polyethylene as the plastic I think is suitable for producing pipes.
I think I'd need
ethylene, Ziegler-Natta catalyst (TiCl4)+ alluminum based co-catalyst Al(C2H5)3
I read somewhere that commercially they put it in a fluidized bed but I'm not sure if I could just say that I would use the fluidized bed at this imaginary school..(I don't think any school has one of these in reality)
statement taken from site:
"ethylene is put into a fluidized bed, where a polymerization reaction takes place, converting the ethylene into polyethylene. This process needs very high pressures and a catalyst."
but other than that..I don't know how it works or how I can describe it.
Option B..
use acetone and styrofoam and melt together to form a polymer. problem: not strong enough to form pipe and I think they don't want that as an answer.
Thank you
To describe the process of plasticizing and the steps involved in making polyethylene pipes, I can provide you with a detailed explanation.
The process of making polyethylene involves a method called polymerization, where ethylene molecules are chemically bonded together to form long chains or polymers. Polyethylene is a versatile plastic known for its strength, flexibility, and resistance to chemicals.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make polyethylene pipes using the fluidized bed polymerization process:
1. Gather the necessary chemicals: As you mentioned, you would need ethylene gas, a Ziegler-Natta catalyst (such as TiCl4), and an aluminum-based co-catalyst (like Al(C2H5)3). Make sure to order these chemicals from a reliable source.
2. Set up the equipment: In a controlled environment, you would need a reactor vessel or a reactor system. This could be a fluidized bed reactor (which you mentioned) or another type suitable for polymerization.
3. Create a fluidized bed: In a fluidized bed reactor, a bed of solid particles is suspended and behaves like a fluid due to the upward flow of gas passing through it. This creates a fluidized bed, providing a large surface area for the reaction to take place.
4. Introduce ethylene gas: Ethylene gas is then introduced into the fluidized bed at very high pressures. This pressurized environment is necessary for the polymerization process to occur effectively.
5. Add the catalysts: The Ziegler-Natta catalyst (TiCl4) and the aluminum-based co-catalyst (Al(C2H5)3) are mixed together and injected into the fluidized bed. These catalysts play a crucial role in initiating and controlling the reaction, leading to the formation of polyethylene.
6. Initiate polymerization: The catalysts react with the ethylene monomers in the fluidized bed, causing the ethylene molecules to form polymer chains. This results in the creation of polyethylene.
7. Control the reaction: The reaction conditions, including temperature, pressure, and other factors, must be carefully controlled to ensure the desired properties of the polyethylene product. This step is crucial in achieving the desired strength, flexibility, and other characteristics necessary for pipe production.
8. Continuous production: The fluidized bed reactor allows for continuous production of polyethylene. As fresh ethylene gas is introduced into the reactor, the polymerization process continues, and the polyethylene product is formed continuously.
It's essential to note that the process of making polyethylene pipes is more complex in an industrial setting and requires specialized equipment and safety precautions. This explanation provides a general overview of the fluidized bed polymerization method to produce polyethylene.
Remember to check the specific requirements of your assignment and consult reliable sources to gather more in-depth information and applicable references for your homework. Good luck with your work!