Process for polymerizing olefin in a gas phase reactor with improved thermal homogeneity

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for polymerizing at least one olefin in gas phase in a fluidized bed in a polymerization reactor having a top zone of a generally conical shape as such that the equivalent cross-sectional diameter is monotonically decreasing with respect to the flow direction of the fluidization gas, a middle zone in direct contact with and below said top zone of a generally cylindrical shape and a bottom zone in direct contact and below said middle zone and of a generally conical shape as such that the equivalent cross-sectional diameter is monotonically increasing with respect to the flow direction of the fluidization gas, comprising the steps of: a) introducing a first stream of fluidization gas into the bottom zone; b) polymerizing at least one olefin in the presence of a polymerization catalyst in the fluidized bed formed by particles of a polymer of the at least one olefin suspended in an upwards flowing stream of the fluidization gas in the middle zone; c) withdrawing a second stream comprising the fluidization gas and optionally particles of a polymer of the at least one olefin from the top zone; characterized in that the temperature of the particles of the polymer of the at least one olefin in the fluidized bed (T) does not exceed 120% of the operating temperature set point (T) of the polymerization reactor, wherein Tand Tare both given in ° C., and the use of said process for polymerizing an olefin homo- or copolymer having a narrow particle size distribution.