Process for the polymerization of olefins

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for the continuous preparation of a polyolefin in a reactor from one or more α-olefin monomers of which at least one is ethylene or propylene, wherein the reactor comprises a fluidized bed, an expanded section located at or near the top of the reactor, a distribution plate located at the lower part of the reactor and an inlet for a recycle stream located under the distribution plate wherein the process comprises—feeding a polymerization catalyst to the fluidized bed in the area above the distribution plate—feeding the one or more α-olefin monomers to the reactor—withdrawing the polyolefin from the reactor—circulating fluids from the top of the reactor to the bottom of the reactor, wherein the circulating fluids are compressed using a compressor and subsequently cooled using a heat exchanger to form a cooled recycle stream comprising liquid, and wherein the cooled recycle stream is introduced into the reactor using the inlet for the recycle stream wherein a part of the cooled recycle stream is drawn to form a liquid comprising stream, wherein the liquid comprising stream is introduced into the expanded section during at least part of the polymerization process, and wherein the liquid comprising stream is brought into contact with at least part of the interior surface of the expanded section.