CONTINUOUS SLURRY POLYMERIZATION PROCESS USING A LOOP REACTOR

摘要

A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than th e angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (1) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure se al while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of the first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at angle to that of horizontal equal t o or greater than the angle of slide of the polymer solids which remain after removal of about 50 to 100 % of the inert diluent therefrom to a second flas h tank at a lower pressure.