Polyethylene structure

Step 1

Purify the ethylene feedstock. During the manufacture of ethylene, this monomer can pick up many impurities, such as moisture, sulfur and ammonia. Further impurities can occur during storage and transportation.

Run the ethylene through a purity regulator. This device will mix several gases with the feedstock ethylene under high pressure and draws off the impurities and foreign matter. At the end of the purification process, pass the ethylene into the reaction tank.

Step 2

Add a catalyst to the purified ethylene.

Polyethylene products

A typical catalyst used in this process is benzyl peroxide. The molecules in benzyl peroxide have the ability to fall apart. A benzyl peroxide molecule breaks down into two pieces, each with an unpaired electron. This type of molecule fragment is called a free radical.

The unpaired electron in a free radical will now search for electrons to pair with in the ethylene feedstock.

Step 3

Allow the benzyl peroxide to react with the ethylene. Since the fragments of the catalyst molecules take electrons from the previously stable ethylene mol

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