Production & uses of ethylene
Production of ethylene & commercial/industrial uses
Gas phase process
- high pressure of 1000-3000 atmospheres, 3000C with a organic peroxide compound containing [-O–O-] which breaks to form free radicals which begin breaking the double bonds in ethylene and commences joining them together
- significant chain branching – at some carbon atoms one H atom is replaced by an alkyl group.
- alkane chains cannot pack together closely or in an orderly way: low density polyethylene
Ziegler-Natta process
- pressure of a few atmospheres, around 600C, using a catalyst which is a mixture of titanium (III) chloride and a trialkylaluminium compound.
- unbranched polyethylene molecules, which pack closely together in an orderly fashion: high density polyethylene
LDPE | HDPE |
---|---|
cling wrap, plastic bags, milk bottles | kitchen utensils, toys, plastic containers |
insulation of wires & cables | pipes to carry natural gas |
building materials |
page revision: 2, last edited: 31 Dec 2010 10:25