Abstract: Method for switching between steady-state and non-steady-state operations of a process for the production of a polymer by polymerization of a monomer in the presence of a comonomer and/or hydrogen. The process includes (a1) at non-steady-state controlling the process based on the ratio of comonomer to monomer in the reactor, and (b1) at steady-state controlling the process based on the flow ratio of comonomer to monomer to the reactor, and/or (a2) at non-steady-state controlling the process based on the ratio of hydrogen to monomer in the reactor, and (b2) at steady-state controlling the process based on the flow ratio of hydrogen to monomer to the reactor.

Abstract: Polymerization process for the polymerization of monomer in a polymerization system having at least one component attached thereto which component is flushed with a flush medium which enters the polymerization system. Initially, the component is flushed with a first flush medium, and subsequently the component is flushed with a second flush medium.

Abstract: Process for the gas-phase polymerization of olefins in a fluidized bed reactor, by a) passing a fluidizing gas containing an olefin monomer through a fluidized bed of polymer particles in the presence of a polymerization catalyst, b) withdrawing a first gaseous stream containing solid particles from the reactor, c) passing the first gaseous stream to a gas/solids separator, separating solid particles, and forming a second gaseous stream containing residual solid particles, d) passing a portion of the second gaseous stream to a heat exchanger(s) to remove heat and e) recycling a portion of the cooled stream from (d) as the fluidizing gas in (a). The fouling rate of the heat exchanger (s) is such that i) the increase in pressure drop across the heat exchanger is equivalent to less than 5%/year, and/or ii) the decrease in heat transfer of the heat exchanger is equivalent to less than 5%/year.

Abstract: Method for controlling a process for the production of a polymer by polymerization of a monomer and a comonomer. The process includes maintaining a substantially constant effective flow ratio (EFR), the effective flow ratio being defined as EFR=(Qcomo?Lcomo)/(Qmono?Lmono), Qcomo and Qmono being, respectively, flow rates of comonomer and monomer to the reactor, Lcomo and Lmono being, respectively, losses of comonomer and monomer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerisation process, and in particular provides a process for the polymeristion of monomer in a polymerisation system having at least one component attached thereto which component is flushed with a flush medium which enters the polymerisation system, wherein initially said component is flushed with a first flush medium, and subsequently said component is flushed with a second flush medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the gas-phase polymerisation of olefins in a fluidised bed reactor, which process comprises: a) passing a fluidising gas comprising one or more olefin monomers through a fluidised bed of polymer particles in the presence of a polymerisation catalyst, b) withdrawing a first gaseous stream comprising solid particles from the top of the reactor, c) passing the first gaseous stream to a gas/solids separator, separating solid particles therefrom, and forming a second gaseous stream comprising residual solid particles, d) passing at least a portion of the second gaseous stream to one or more heat exchangers to remove the heat of reaction, and e) recycling at least a portion of the cooled stream from step (d) as the fluidising gas in step (a), characterised in that the rate of fouling of the one or more heat exchangers is such that i) the increase in pressure drop across the heat exchangers is equivalent to less than 5% per year, and/or ii) the decrease in heat transfer

Abstract: Process for gas phase polymerization of olefins in a fluidized bed reactor by (a) passing a fluidizing gas containing at least one olefin monomer through a fluidized bed of polymer particles in the presence of a polymerization catalyst to produce polymer at a polymer production rate of C Tonnes/hour, (b) withdrawing a first gaseous stream containing solid particles from the top of the reactor, (c) passing the first gaseous stream to a gas/solids separator, separating solid particles therefrom, and forming a second gaseous stream containing residual solid particles, (d) passing a portion of the second gaseous stream to at least one heat exchanger to remove heat of reaction whereby residual solid particles contact the heat exchanger, and (e) recycling a portion of the cooled stream from step (d) as the fluidizing gas in step (a). The heat exchangers have a heat exchange surface area which totals less than 120×C m2.

Abstract: Process for the polymerization of monomer in a polymerization system having at least one component attached thereto which is flushed with a flush medium which enters the polymerization system. Initially, the component is flushed with a first flush medium, and subsequently the component is flushed with a second flush medium which differs in composition from the first flush medium. A flush gas containing monomer is used as the flush medium when the polymer production rate is above 10 Te/h.

Abstract: Process for the gas phase polymerization of olefins, in particular, with recycle of fines to the reaction zone. The process includes (a) polymerizing an olefin in a reaction zone in which a bed of polymer particles is maintained in an agitated state by passing a fluid stream through the bed, (b) withdrawing the fluid stream from the reactor after it has passed through the bed of polymer particles, (c) separating entrained solids from the withdrawn fluid stream, and (d) returning the separated entrained solids to the reaction zone. The polymer production rate of the process is at least 40 tonnes/hour, and the separated solids from step (c) are returned to the lower half of the bed of polymer particles in the reaction zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for controlling a process for the production of a polymer by polymerisation of a monomer which process comprises at least one of: maintaining a substantially constant effective flow ratio (EFR), said effective flow ratio being defined as: EFR=(Qcomo?Lcomo)/(Qmono—Lmono) Qcomo and Qmono being, respectively, flow rates of comonomer and monomer to the reactor, Lcomo and Lmono being, respectively losses of comonomer and monomer, and: maintaining a substantially constant effective flow ratio (EFR), said effective flow ratio being defined as: EFR?(Qhyd—Lhyd)/(Qmono—Lmono) Qhyd and Qmono being, respectively, flow rates of hydrogen and monomer reactor, Lhyd and Lmono being, respectively, losses of hydrogen and monomer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for switching between steady-state and non-steady-state operations of a process for the production of a polymer by polymerisation of a monomer in the presence of a comonomer and/or hydrogen which process comprises: a1. At non-steady-state controlling the process based on the ratio of comonomer to monomer in the reactor, and b1. At steady-state controlling the process based on the flow ratio of comonomer to monomer to the reactor, and/or a2. At non-steady-state controlling the process based on the ratio of hydrogen to monomer in the reactor, and b1. At steady-state controlling the process based on the flow ratio of hydrogen to monomer to the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerisation process, and in particular provides a process for the polymerisation of monomer in a polymerisation system having at least one component attached thereto which component is flushed with a flush medium which enters the polymerisation system, wherein initially said component is flushed with a first flush medium, and subsequently said component is flushed with a second flush medium.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for gas phase polymerisation of olefins. The apparatus includes (a) a reaction zone having a grid at its base, (b) an inlet located in the lower half of the reaction zone for introducing a reaction gas to the reaction zone, (c) an outlet located in the upper half of the reaction zone for removing the reaction gas from the reaction zone, and (d) a solids separation unit having an inlet fluidly connected to the outlet for removing the reaction gas from the reaction zone. The inlet of the solids separation unit is located at a vertical height lower than the outlet for removal of reaction gas from the reaction zone and such that the angle to the horizontal of a straight line drawn between the inlet of the solids separation unit and the outlet for removal of reaction gas from the reaction zone is greater than 20°.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for the gas phase polymerisation of olefins, the apparatus comprising: a) a reaction zone comprising a grid at its base, b) an inlet located in the lower half of the reaction zone for introduction of a reaction gas to the reaction zone, c) an outlet located in the upper half of the reaction zone for removal of the reaction gas from the reaction zone, and d) a solids separation unit having an inlet fluidly connected to the outlet for removal of the reaction gas from the reaction zone, characterised in that the inlet of the solids separation unit is located at a vertical height lower than the outlet for removal of reaction gas from the reaction zone and such that the angle to the horizontal of a straight line drawn between the inlet of the solids separation unit and the outlet for removal of reaction gas from the reaction zone is greater than 20°.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the gas-phase polymerisation of olefins in a fluidised bed reactor, which process comprises: a) passing a fluidising gas comprising one or more olefin monomers through a fluidised bed of polymer particles in the presence of a polymerisation catalyst, b) withdrawing a first gaseous stream comprising solid particles from the top of the reactor, c) passing the first gaseous stream to a gas/solids separator, separating solid particles therefrom, and forming a second gaseous stream comprising residual solid particles, d) passing at least a portion of the second gaseous stream to one or more heat exchangers to remove the heat of reaction, and e) recycling at least a portion of the cooled stream from step (d) as the fluidising gas in step (a), characterised in that the rate of fouling of the one or more heat exchangers is such that i) the increase in pressure drop across the heat exchangers is equivalent to less than 5% per year, and/or ii) the decrease in heat transfer

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the gas phase polymerisation of olefins, and, in particular, to a process for the gas phase polymerisation of olefins with recycle of fines to the reaction zone.

Abstract: A method for assembling an eddy current inspection device includes at least partially positioning a first tip assembly within a cavity defined by a proximity probe case. The first tip assembly defines a bore therethrough. The first tip assembly is sealingly coupling to the proximity probe case. A second tip assembly is at least partially positioned within the cavity and sealingly coupled to the first tip assembly.

Abstract: An improved process for the polymerization of olefin monomer selected from (a) ethylene, (b) propylene, (c) mixtures of ethylene and propylene and (d) mixtures of (a), (b) or (c) with one or more alpha-olefins in a fluidized bed gas phase reactor, said process comprising passing a gaseous mixture of said olefin monomers(s) through the fluidized bed under effective polymerization conditions to provide a polymer product containing unreacted monomer(s) and a gaseous effluent stream comprising unreacted monomer(s), removing the polymer product to a degassing vessel, recycling a first portion of the gaseous effluent stream to the fluidized bed and passing a second portion of the gaseous effluent stream to counter currently contact the polymer product in said degassing vessel to produce a polymer product having a reduced amount of unreacted monomer(s), characterized in that the improvements to the process comprise: (i) removing heavy hydrocarbons from the second portion of the effluent stream and returning said hyd

Abstract: A method for assembling an eddy current inspection device includes at least partially positioning a first tip assembly within a cavity defined by a proximity probe case. The first tip assembly defines a bore therethrough. The first tip assembly is sealingly coupling to the proximity probe case. A second tip assembly is at least partially positioned within the cavity and sealingly coupled to the first tip assembly.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting a sensor. The bracket may include a base with a base loading mechanism for mating with the sensor, a first arm attached to the base, and a second arm adjustably attached to the base. The first arm may include a first arm loading mechanism for mating with the sensor.