Pumping apparatus and process for polymerization in loop reactors

摘要

An olefin polymerization process and apparatus wherein a fluid slurry comprising monomer, diluent and catalyst is circulated in a continuous loop reactor by two or more pumps. The process and apparatus allow operating the reaction at significantly higher solids content in the circulating fluid slurry. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid slurry is circulated by two impellers arranged so that the downstream impeller benefits from the rotational energy imparted by the upstream impeller. An olefin polymerization process operating at higher reactor solids by virtue of more aggressive circulation has improved efficiencies, particularly in larger-volume reactors.

主权项

1. A loop slurry polymerization process comprising:
introducing a monomer and catalyst to a loop reactor; polymerizing the monomer to form a slurry comprising solid polyolefin particles in a liquid medium; circulating the slurry using two impellers; imparting a first rotational motion to the slurry with a first of the impellers; imparting a second rotational motion to the slurry with a second of the impellers, wherein the second rotational motion is opposite to the first rotational motion.