Total Research & Technology Feluy

Total Petrochemicals Research Feluy

Andre Lewalle

Louis Fouarge

Marc Van Der Auwera

Frans Van Den Brande

Daniel Siraux

Eric Damme

Philippe J Bodart

Olivier Miserque

Renaud Oreins

Philippe Marechal

Etienne Laurent

Marc Moers

Hugo Vandaele

Mark Verleysen

Pascal Folie

Carl Van Camp

Giacomo Conti

Leopold D'Hooghe

Marjan Sillis

Kai Hortman

The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for polymerizing olefins. One embodiment comprises polymerizing at least one monomer in a first loop reactor in the presence of a catalyst to produce a first polyolefin fraction. A portion of the first polyolefin fraction is transferred to a second loop reactor, connected in series with the first loop reactor. The process further comprises polymerizing in the second loop reactor at least one monomer in the presence of a catalyst to produce a second polyolefin fraction in addition to the first polyolefin fraction. The combination of the first and second polyolefin fractions can produce a polymer resin fluff having bimodal molecular weight distribution.

Double loop technology

A method for the copolymerization of ethylene and a Colefin in a loop reactor and polymers formed therefrom are described herein. The method generally includes introducing an ethylene monomer, a Colefin and a diluent carrier liquid into a loop reactor. A catalyst system can be supplied to said loop reactor. The diluent liquid, ethylene monomer, and Colefin can be circulated through said loop reactor, while copolymerizing said ethylene and Colefin in the presence of said catalyst system to produce a slurry. The slurry can be diverted into a settling leg, and sequentially discharged therefrom and withdrawn from said loop reactor. An ethylene monomer co-feed can be introduced into said loop reactor at spaced locations downstream of the ethylene and diluent. The ethylene co-feed can be introduced in an amount effective to reduce the variation in the ratio of ethylene and Colefin.

The present invention relates to a polymerization process for producing olefin polymers in a loop reactor comprising the steps of: introducing into the loop reactor one or more olefin reactants, polymerization catalysts and diluents, and while circulating said reactants, catalysts and diluents, polymerizing said one or more olefin reactants to produce a polymer slurry comprising essentially liquid diluent and solid olefin polymer particles, said process further comprising one or more cycles of: (a) allowing said polymer slurry to settle in one or more setting legs connected to said reactor, and (b) discharging from a setting leg a predetermined volume of polymer slurry substantially equal to the volume of polymer slurry settled in said settling leg since its previous discharge.

Olefin polymerization process with optimized product discharge

The present invention discloses a method for controlling the onset and development of swelling in a slurry loop reactor by progressively diluting the reactor, the amount of dilution being driven by the amplitude of the fluctuations measured on some plant measurement.

Swell control in slurry loop reactor

Growing community of inventors

Brussels, Belgium

Andre Lewalle