Total Research & Technology Feluy

Annelies Horre

Louis Fouarge

Marc Richet

Pascal Wilderiane

Geert Nauwelaerts

Rudi Tanghe

Johan Janssens

Steven Beuckelaers

A process for the preparation of a polyolefin is disclosed. The process includes introducing one or more olefin reactants, diluents and polymerization catalyst into a first loop reactor, and while circulating the olefin reactants, diluents and polymerization catalyst in the first loop reactor. The method includes polymerizing the one or more olefin reactants to produce a polyolefin slurry comprising liquid diluent and solid olefin polymer particles. The method includes withdrawing polyolefin slurry comprising solid olefin polymer particles and diluent from the first reactor and introducing the withdrawn particles into a second loop reactor, by means of one or more settling legs provided on the first reactor, wherein each settling leg has an inlet connected to the first reactor and an outlet connected to the second reactor by means of a transfer line wherein at least one settling leg is continuously open allowing continuous transfer of solid olefin polymer particles from the first loop reactor to the second loop reactor. The process further comprises controlling the continuous transfer of solid olefin polymer particles from the first loop reactor to the second loop reactor by at least one continuously open settling leg.

Olefin polymerization process with continuous transfer

A process for the preparation of a polyolefin in a slurry loop reactor provided with settling legs may include introducing olefin reactants, diluents, and polymerization catalyst into the reactor while circulating. The process may include polymerizing the olefin reactants to produce a slurry, continuously withdrawing the slurry, via the settling legs, and transferring withdrawn solid olefin polymer particles to a recovery section. Each settling leg may have an inlet connected to the reactor and an outlet connected to the recovery section. At least one settling leg is continuously open, allowing continuous withdrawal of slurry. Each outlet of the settling legs may be connected to the recovery section by a conduit provided with a pressure control device. The pressure in the reactor may be controlled by operating the pressure control device.

Olefin polymerization process with continuous discharging

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Temse, Belgium

Annelies Horre