Isobutene polymerization process

Abstract

The present application relates to a process for the continuous polymerization of isobutene while maintaining at a constant desired value a property P (viscosity or average molecular mass) of the polymer produced. The polymerization is conducted in a reactor comprising a boiling liquid reaction phase which contains the monomer and the polymer being formed, in equilibrium with a gas phase on top of the said liquid phase, by continuous introduction into the reactor of a catalyst and of a C4 hydrocarbon feed mixture comprising the monomer, and by continuous withdrawal from the reactor of the liquid reaction phase, which is subsequently subjected continuously to at least one purification step which is intended to isolate the polyisobutene produced. The process comprises the determination of a target value V of the partial pressure piC4 of the isobutene in the gas phase of the reactor corresponding to the property P, by virtue of an empirical relationship established beforehand between the property P of the polyisobutene produced and piC4. During the polymerization, piC4 is measured and held constant at around the target value V by acting on the flow rate Qc of the catalyst introduced into the reactor and/or on the flow rate Qh of the C4 hydrocarbon feed mixture.