Exxonmobil Chemical Patents Inc.

Willy De Koster

Henri Aime Lammens

Paul Jan Clymans

Philip H Cornelissen

Tom Van Nuland

Ivo T Goossens

Fausto F Ciancio

Martin J Decoster

The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of ethylene polymers and copolymers in which ethylene is compressed in a primary compressor at a throughput of at least 55 tonnes/hour, mixed with recycled ethylene and further compressed in a two-stage reciprocating secondary compressor having at least 14 cylinders to a pressure of at least 2300 bar at a throughput of at least 120 tonnes/hour, heating at least a portion of that ethylene to a temperature of at least 95&#xb0; C. and introducing it into a tubular reactor of diameter at least 65 mm and a length of at least 1500 m, introducing initiator in at least three reaction zones to give a conversion of at least 28% and maintaining a pressure drop over the reactor to maintain a flow velocity of at least 6 m/s.

Process and apparatus for manufacturing ethylene polymers and copolymers

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Dilbeek, Belgium

Willy De Koster