Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for solution polymerization comprising a reactor system that is operative to receive a monomer and to react the monomer to form a polymer; a plurality of devolatilization vessels located downstream of the reactor system, where each devolatilization vessel operates at a lower pressure than the preceding devolatilization vessel; and a heat exchanger disposed between two devolatilization vessels and in fluid communication with them, where the heat exchanger has an inlet port temperature of 100° C. to 230° C., an outlet port temperature of 200° C. to 300° C., an inlet port pressure of 35 to 250 kgf/cm2 and an outlet port pressure of 20 to 200 kgf/cm2; and wherein the polymer solution remains in a single phase during its residence in the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A devolatilizer (devo), which operates at a temperature (T) and at a pressure (P), for the separation of at least a portion of a solvent from a polymer-rich solution comprising the solvent and a polymer, and wherein the devolatilizer comprises at least the following components: A) a distributor, a heater, or a heater/distributor combination; B) a shroud (component B) located around some or all of the periphery of component A; and C) a gap (component C) located between the outer surface of component A and the inner surface of component B.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus comprising a shell; the shell having an inlet port for introducing a polymer solution into the shell and an outlet port for removing the polymer solution from the shell; wherein the polymer solution comprises a polymer and a solvent that is operative to dissolve the polymer; a plurality of plates in the shell; where the plurality of plates is stacked one atop the other to define a central passage that is in fluid communication with the inlet port of the shell; where the plurality of plates further defines a plurality of conduits, each conduit extending radially outwards from the central passage, where the plurality of conduits is in fluid communication with the central passage; and where the apparatus is operated at a pressure and a temperature effective to maintain the polymer solution in a single phase during its travel through the apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for solution polymerization comprising a reactor system that is operative to receive a monomer and to react the monomer to form a polymer; a plurality of devolatilization vessels located downstream of the reactor system, where each devolatilization vessel operates at a lower pressure than the preceding devolatilization vessel; and a heat exchanger disposed between two devolatilization vessels and in fluid communication with them, where the heat exchanger has an inlet port temperature of 100° C. to 230° C., an outlet port temperature of 200° C. to 300° C., an inlet port pressure of 35 to 250 kgf/cm2 and an outlet port pressure of 20 to 200 kgf/cm2; and wherein the polymer solution remains in a single phase during its residence in the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a distributor comprising a first conduit; where the first conduit has an inlet port for charging a heating fluid into the distributor; a second conduit; where the first conduit lies inside the second conduit to define a first annular space therebetween; where the second conduit has an exit port for removing the heating fluid from the distributor; a plurality of plate stacks disposed around the second conduit to define a narrowing second annular space from top to bottom of the distributor; where each successive plate stack has smaller inner diameter than the plate stack located above it; where each plate stack comprises a plurality of plates; where the plurality of plates further define a plurality of conduits, each conduit having a varying width over its length and extending radially outwards from the central passage.

Abstract: A process for increasing the melt strength of a polyethylene resin comprising a) selecting a polyethylene resin having i) a density, as determined according to ASTM D792, in the range of from 0.865 g/cm3 to 0.97 g/cm3, and ii) a melt index, I2, as determined according to ASTM D1238 (2.16 kg, 190° C.), in the range of from 0.01 g/10 min to 100 g/10 min; b) reacting from 10 ppm to 1000 ppm of at least one peroxide having a 1 hour half-life decomposition temperature from 160° C. to 250° C. with the polyethylene resin under conditions sufficient to increase the melt strength of the polyethylene resin is provided. Also provided are a masterbatch composition and a polymeric composition.

Abstract: A process for increasing the melt strength of a polyethylene resin comprising a) selecting a polyethylene resin having i) a density, as determined according to ASTM D792, in the range of from 0.865 g/cm3 to 0.97 g/cm3, and ii) a melt index, I2, as determined according to ASTM D1238 (2.16 kg, 190° C.), in the range of from 0.01 g/10 min to 100 g/10 min; b) reacting from 10 ppm to 1000 ppm of at least one peroxide having a 1 hour half-life decomposition temperature from 160° C. to 250° C. with the polyethylene resin under conditions sufficient to increase the melt strength of the polyethylene resin is provided. Also provided are a masterbatch composition and a polymeric composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a mixing system comprising the following: A) at least one extensional flow mixer comprising: a generally open and hollow body having a contoured outer surface and having: a single entrance port and a single exit port; a design for compressing a bulk stream, and a design for broadening the bulk stream and the at least one injected additive stream; B) a flow conductor; and C) a primary additive stream injector, as described herein; and wherein the extensional flow mixer is followed by D) a first helical static mixing element that is at least one half “flow conductor diameter (D1)” downstream of the exit port of the extensional flow mixer; and wherein the mixing system comprises at least four helical static mixing elements, placed such that the leading edge of the first helical static mixing element is located perpendicular to the main axis (major axis) of the exit port of the extensional flow mixer.

Abstract: Catalysts and methods for making and using the same are provided. The method for fabricating a catalyst may includes contacting a supported catalyst with a monomer under conditions that reduce an overall charge of the catalyst to less than about 75% of an initial charge of the catalyst. A method for polymerization may include introducing a pre-polymerized catalyst and one or more olefins into a gas phase fluidized bed reactor, operating the reactor at conditions sufficient to produce a polyolefin, wherein the polymerization is carried out in the substantial absence of any continuity additives.

Abstract: Catalysts and methods for making and using the same are provided. The method for fabricating a catalyst may includes contacting a supported catalyst with a monomer under conditions that reduce an overall charge of the catalyst to less than about 75% of an initial charge of the catalyst. A method for polymerization may include introducing a pre-polymerized catalyst and one or more olefins into a gas phase fluidized bed reactor, operating the reactor at conditions sufficient to produce a polyolefin, wherein the polymerization is carried out in the substantial absence of any continuity additives.

Abstract: The present invention is a film having a thickness greater than 100 microns comprising from 10 to 100 percent by weight of a polyethylene polymer made by the process of a) selecting a target polyethylene resin having a density, as determined according to ASTM D792, in the range of from 0.90 g/cm3 to 0.955 g/cm3, and a melt index, as determined according to ASTM D1238(2.16 kg, 190 C), in the range of from 0.01 g/10 min to 10 g/10 min; b) reacting said target polyethylene with an alkoxy amine derivative in an amount less than 900 parts derivative per million parts by weight of total polyethylene resin under conditions sufficient to increase the melt strength of the target polyethylene resin; and c) forming a thick film from the modified target resin. The present films include those which can achieve similar processability as those containing unmodified linear polyethylene despite having at least 10% less LDPE resins in the formulation.

Abstract: Catalysts and methods for making and using the same are provided. The method for fabricating a catalyst may includes contacting a supported catalyst with a monomer under conditions that reduce an overall charge of the catalyst to less than about 75% of an initial charge of the catalyst. A method for polymerization may include introducing a pre-polymerized catalyst and one or more olefins into a gas phase fluidized bed reactor, operating the reactor at conditions sufficient to produce a polyolefin, wherein the polymerization is carried out in the substantial absence of any continuity additives.

Abstract: The present invention is an ethylene-based polymer comprising reacting a polyethylene resin with an alkoxy amine derivative corresponding to the formula: (R1)(R2)N—O—R3 where R1 and R2 are each independently of one another, hydrogen, C4-C42 alkyl or C4-C42 aryl or substituted hydrocarbon groups comprising O and/or N, and where R1 and R2 may form a ring structure together; and where R3 is hydrogen, a hydrocarbon or a substituted hydrocarbon group comprising O and/or N. Preferred groups for R3 include —C1-C19alkyl; —C6-C10aryl; —C2-C19akenyl; —O—C1-C19alkyl; —O—C6-C10aryl; —NH—C1-C19alkyl; —NH—C6-C10aryl; —N—(C1-C19alkyl)2. R3 most preferably contains an acyl group. The resulting resin has increased melt strength with higher ratio of elongational viscosities at 0.1 to 100 rad/s when compared to substantially similar polyethylene resins which have not been reacted with an alkoxy amine derivative.

Abstract: The present invention is a film having a thickness greater than 100 microns comprising from 10 to 100 percent by weight of a polyethylene polymer made by the process of a) selecting a target polyethylene resin having a density, as determined according to ASTM D792, in the range of from 0.90 g/cm3 to 0.955 g/cm3, and a melt index, as determined according to ASTM D1238(2.16 kg, 190 C), in the range of from 0.01 g/10 min to 10 g/10 min; b) reacting said target polyethylene with an alkoxy amine derivative in an amount less than 900 parts derivative per million parts by weight of total polyethylene resin under conditions sufficient to increase the melt strength of the target polyethylene resin; and c) forming a thick film from the modified target resin. The present films include those which can achieve similar processability as those containing unmodified linear polyethylene despite having at least 10% less LDPE resins in the formulation.

Abstract: The invention provides a mixing system comprising the following: A) at least one extensional flow mixer comprising: a generally open and hollow body having a contoured outer surface and having: a single entrance port and a single exit port; a means for compressing a bulk stream flowing through the generally open and hollow body in a direction of flow, and at least one injected additive stream introduced at the single entrance port in the direction of flow; and a means for broadening the bulk stream and the at least one injected additive stream, such that an interfacial area between the bulk stream and the at least one injected additive stream is increased as the bulk stream and the at least one injected additive stream flow through the generally open and hollow body in the direction of flow to promote mixing of the bulk stream and the at least one injected additive stream; B) a flow conductor having an axis and having a generally open and hollow flow mixer body cured therein; and C) a primary additive stream

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods and systems for gas and liquid phase polymer production. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise manipulating properties of polymers produced by adjusting the hydrogen feed rate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods and systems for gas and liquid phase polymer production. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise manipulating properties of polymers produced by adjusting the hydrogen feed rate.

Abstract: A mixing system is disclosed comprising at least one extensional flow mixer comprising: a generally open and hollow body having a contoured outer surface and having: a single entrance port and a single exit port; a means for compressing a bulk stream flowing through the generally open and hollow body in a direction of flow and at least one injected additive stream introduced at the single entrance port in the direction of flow; and a means for broadening the bulk stream and the at least one injected additive stream such that an interfacial area between the bulk stream and the at least one injected additive stream is increased as the bulk stream and the at least one injected additive stream flow through the generally open and hollow body in the direction of flow to promote mixing of the bulk stream and the at least one injected additive stream, a flow conductor having an axis and having a generally open and hollow flow mixer body secured therein; and a primary additive stream injector positioned at the entra