Total Research & Technology Feluy

Total Petrochemicals Research Feluy

Frans Van Den Brande

Louis Fouarge

Marc Van Der Auwera

Daniel Siraux

Eric Damme

Philippe J Bodart

Olivier Miserque

Renaud Oreins

Philippe Marechal

Etienne Laurent

Marc Moers

Hugo Vandaele

Mark Verleysen

Pascal Folie

Andre Lewalle

Carl Van Camp

Giacomo Conti

Leopold D'Hooghe

Marjan Sillis

Kai Hortman

André Lewalle

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 The slurry can be diverted into a settling leg, and sequentially discharged therefrom and withdrawn from said loop reactor.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.

A method for the copolymerization of ethylene and a C+ olefin copolymer in a loop reactor system and polymers formed therefrom are described herein. The method generally includes introducing an ethylene monomer, a C+ alpha olefin comonomer and a diluent carrier liquid into a reactor system comprising at least one loop reactor; supplying at least one polymerization catalyst system to said reactor system; circulating said diluent liquid, ethylene monomer, and alpha olefin copolymer through said loop reactor while copolymerizing said ethylene and said alpha olefin monomer in the presence of said catalyst system to produce a slurry of polymer fluff particles in said diluent carrier liquid; diverting the flow of said slurry through said loop reactor into at least one settling leg connected to the loop reactor and sequentially discharging the settled polymer slurry from said at least one settling leg to withdraw said polymer slurry from said reactor system; and introducing an ethylene monomer co-feed into said loop reactor at least two spaced locations downstream of the point of introduction of ethylene comonomer and diluent in subparagraph a), said ethylene co-feed being introduced in an amount effective to reduce the variation in the ratio of ethylene monomer and comonomer within said loop reactor.

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

Mortsel, Belgium

Frans Van Den Brande