Abstract: A degassing apparatus for use with a polymerisation reactor is disclosed. Slurry from the reactor is discharged into a flask tank (3) in which monomers or dilluent vaporise to form a gas. Filler units (9, 10) are provided at the upper part of the flash tank (3). They may be selectively connected to the flash tank by valves (11, 12). No cyclone etc. is provided between the flash tank and the filter (9, 10) and these particles may then fall back into the flash tank (3). The filters may be separately isolated for cleaning or replacement.

Abstract: A setting leg for a polymerization reactor connected to the lower part of the loop reactor (1). A conduit (2) is welded to the loop reactor and leads to upper valve (3) and lower block valve (4). Downstream of the lower block valve (4) is a further conduit (5) which leads to a lower region (6) and to a product take off (PTO) valve 7. Conduit (5) has a significantly greater cross-sectional area than conduit (2). In use, the block valves (3) and (4) are always open to allow slurry from the reactor loop to enter the settling leg. The PTO valve (7) is regularly opened to allow the settled polyethylene “fluff” to be rapidly expelled along conduit (8). The greater area of conduit (5) significantly increases the settling rate ad polymer concentration of the polyethylene “fluff”.

Abstract: A degassing apparatus for use with a polymerisation reactor is disclosed. Slurry from the reactor is discharged into a flask tank (3) in which monomers or dilluent vaporise to form a gas. Filler units (9, 10) are provided at the upper part of the flash tank (3). They may be selectively connected to the flash tank by valves (11, 12). No cyclone etc. is provided between the flash tank and the filter (9, 10) and these particles may then fall back into the flash tank (3). The filters may be separately isolated for cleaning or replacement.