Total Petrochemicals Research Feluy

Total Research & Technology Feluy

Hugo Vandaele

Louis Fouarge

Daniel Siraux

Eric Damme

Philippe J Bodart

Olivier Miserque

Renaud Oreins

Philippe Marechal

Etienne Laurent

Marc Moers

Marc Van Der Auwera

Pascal Folie

Carl Van Camp

Mark Verleysen

Frans Van Den Brande

Giacomo Conti

Leopold D'Hooghe

Marjan Sillis

Kai Hortman

Andre Lewalle

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 The slurry can be diverted into a settling leg, and sequentially discharged therefrom and withdrawn from said loop reactor.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 disclosure relates to a device for removing and analyzing a sample from a polymerization reactor including one or more sample conduits for removing a sample from the reactor and transferring the sample to a sample flash tank, whereby the conduits are in communication with the reactor and are provided with at least two sampling valves; a sample flash tank for separating said solid particles and evaporated gas, whereby the sample flash tanks are connected to the conduits and provided with a device for analyzing evaporated gas, and including a sample receiver for purifying the solid particles. The receivers are connected to the sample flash tanks and provided with an apparatus for analyzing the solid particles. The disclosure includes a method for improving a polymerization reaction.

Method for improving a polymerization reaction by taking out and analysing a sample

The present invention provides a multiple loop reactor suitable for polymerizing olefins comprising at least two interconnected loop reactors, whereby said connection essentially consists of one or more transfer lines suitable for transferring polymer slurry from a reactor to another reactor and whereby said transfer line extends substantially horizontally. The invention further relates to a process for producing olefin polymers in a multiple loop reactor according to the invention. The invention also relates to the use of a transfer line for transferring polymer slurry from a reactor to another reactor in a multiple loop reactor comprising at least two interconnected loop reactors, whereby said transfer line extends substantially horizontally.

Multiple loop reactor for olefin polymerization

The invention relates to a device for taking out and analyzing a sample from a polymerization reactor comprising one or more sample conduits (), for taking a sample out of said reactor and for conducting said sample to one or more sample flash tanks (), whereby said conduits each are in communication with said reactor () and each are provided with at least two sampling valves (); comprising one or more sample flash tanks (), for separating said solid particles and evaporated gas, whereby said sample flash tanks are connected to said conduits () and provided with means for analyzing said evaporated gas (), and comprising one or more sample receivers (), for purifying said solid particles, whereby said receivers are connected to said sample flash tanks () and provided with means () for analyzing said solid particles. The invention further relates to a method for improving a polymerization reaction in a polymerization reactor.

A process is provided for recovering polymer solids from a polymerisation reactor effluent. The process comprises extracting the polymerisation effluent from a polymerisation reactor; passing the effluent, or a part thereof, to a flash vessel for flashing liquid in the effluent to vapour, and removing said vapour from said flash vessel; passing the polymer solids from the flash vessel to a transfer apparatus which comprises a transfer vessel; passing the polymer solids from the transfer vessel to a purging means for removing residual liquid from the polymer solids; wherein the polymer solids are passed from the flash vessel to the purging means in a continuous flow such that a quantity of polymer solids is maintained in the transfer vessel. An apparatus for performing the process is also provided.

Growing community of inventors

Sint-Andries, Belgium

Hugo Vandaele