Abstract: A multitubular heat exchanger for cooling a gas stream. including an inlet chamber: a bundle of tubes encased in a shell structure: and an outlet chamber, wherein (a) each tube has an inlet with a diameter of d1: a longitudinal middle part with a diameter of d2: an outlet: and (b) d1 is larger than d2.

Abstract: A reactor for carrying out a gas-phase olefin polymerization in the presence of a polymerization catalyst, made from or containing (i) a first polymerization zone adapted and arranged for growing polymer particles to flow upward under fast fluidization or transport conditions, (ii) a second polymerization zone adapted and arranged for the growing polymer particles to flow downward, and (iii) a set of bars for introducing feedstock or a barrier stream into the reactor, wherein each bar has (a) a hollow space along the length of the bar, (b) a particle deviating top, and (c) a multiplicity of openings arranged along the bottom half of the periphery of the bar.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out a catalytic gas-phase olefin polymerization having a first polymerization zone for growing polymer particles to flow upward under fast fluidization or transport conditions, a second polymerization zone for the growing polymer particles to flow downward, and a gas/solid separation zone; wherein the second polymerization zone has an upper part being connected to the separation zone and a lower part being connected to the upper part; wherein the ratio of the height H01 of the separation zone to the diameter D01 of the separation zone is 2.5 to 4.5.

Abstract: A manhole for a polymerization unit having a through-hole formed with a shoulder matching a corresponding shoulder of a plug of a closure member operatively inserted in the through-hole. The through-hole can be closed with a minimum clearance, such that polymer particles do not deposit in the gap between the wall of the unit and the plug of the closure member.

Abstract: A gas-phase polymerization reactor for the gas-phase polymerization of olefins including a polymerization zone having a recycle line for (a) withdrawing reaction gas from the reactor, (b) leading the reaction gas through a heat-exchanger for cooling, and (c) feeding the reaction gas back to the reactor, wherein the recycle line has the heat-exchanger, a centrifugal compressor having variable guide vanes, and a butterfly valve, and a related process for preparing an olefin polymer in the gas-phase polymerization reactor.

Abstract: A gas-phase polymerization reactor for the gas-phase polymerization of olefins including a polymerization zone having a recycle line for (a) withdrawing reaction gas from the reactor, (b) leading the reaction gas through a heat-exchanger for cooling, and (c) feeding the reaction gas back to the reactor, wherein the recycle line has the heat-exchanger, a centrifugal compressor having variable guide vanes, and a butterfly valve, and a related process for preparing an olefin polymer in the gas-phase polymerization reactor.

Abstract: A manhole for a polymerization unit having a through-hole formed with a shoulder matching a corresponding shoulder of a plug of a closure member operatively inserted in the through-hole. The through-hole can be closed with a minimum clearance, such that polymer particles do not deposit in the gap between the wall of the unit and the plug of the closure member.

Abstract: A fluid is fed into a polymer bed of a fluidized bed gas phase polymerization reactor by introducing the fluid into the polymer bed through a distributor protruding into the fluidized bed zone of the reactor and terminating with a discharge end positioned so that the following equation is fulfilled: d/D>0.002 wherein d is the distance of the distributor's discharge end from the wall of the reactor, and D is the diameter of the reactor in the fluidized bed zone.

Abstract: A fluid is fed into a polymer bed of a fluidized bed gas phase polymerization reactor by introducing the fluid into the polymer bed through a distributor protruding into the fluidized bed zone of the reactor and terminating with a discharge end positioned so that the following equation is fulfilled: d/D>0.002 wherein d is the distance of the distributor's discharge end from the wall of the reactor, and D is the diameter of the reactor in the fluidized bed zone.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing olefin polymers are disclosed, comprising: a. polymerizing one or more olefins in the gas phase, in the presence of an olefin polymerization catalyst, whereby growing polymer particles flow along a cylindrically-shaped downward path in densified form under the action of gravity so as to form a densified bed of downward-flowing polymer particles b. allowing said polymer particles to flow through a restriction of the densified bed, such restriction being positioned in a restriction zone extending from the bed upward to a distance of 15% of the total height of the densified bed; and c. metering an antistatic agent through a feed line connected to the densified bed at a feed point being located in a feed zone extending from the top of the restriction upward, to a distance five times the diameter of the section of the densified bed above the restriction.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing olefin polymers are disclosed, comprising: a. polymerizing one or more olefins in the gas phase, in the presence of an olefin polymerization catalyst, whereby growing polymer particles flow along a cylindrically-shaped downward path in densified form under the action of gravity so as to form a densified bed of downward-flowing polymer particles b. allowing said polymer particles to flow through a restriction of the densified bed, such restriction being positioned in a restriction zone extending from the bed upward to a distance of 15% of the total height of the densified bed; and c. metering an antistatic agent through a feed line connected to the densified bed at a feed point being located in a feed zone extending from the top of the restriction upward, to a distance five times the diameter of the section of the densified bed above the restriction.

Abstract: A gas-phase polymerization reactor having interconnected polymerization zones comprising:—a riser through which the polymer particles flow upwards under fast fluidization conditions or transport conditions;—a downcomer through which the polymer particles flow downward in a densified form under the action of gravity, the bottom of said downcomer being connected to the lower region of said riser by means of a transport section, said transport section being designed as a bend descending from the downcomer to the riser.

Abstract: A gas-phase polymerization reactor having interconnected polymerization zones comprising:—a riser through which the polymer particles flow upwards under fast fluidization conditions or transport conditions—a dowcomer through which the polymer particles flow downward in a densified form under the action of gravity, the bottom of said downcomer being connected to the lower region of said riser by means of a transport section, said transport section being designed as a bend descending from the downcomer to the riser.

Abstract: A process for the polymerization of olefins carried out in a gas-phase reactor having interconnected polymerization zones, where the growing polymer particles flow upward through a first polymerization zone (riser) under fast fluidization or transport conditions, leave said riser and enter a second polymerization zone (downcomer) through which they flow downward under the action of gravity, leave said downcomer and are reintroduced into the riser, a gas recycle stream being withdrawn from said first polymerization zone, subjected to cooling below its dew point and then returned to said first polymerization zone, the process being characterized in that said gas recycle stream is cooled at a temperature Tc ranging from 0.05° C. to 3° C. below its dew point.

Abstract: A process for the polymerisation of olefins carried out in a gas-phase reactor having interconnected polymerization zones, where the growing polymer particles flow upward through a first polymerization zone (riser) under fast fluidization or transport conditions, leave said riser and enter a second polymerization zone (downcomer) through which they flow downward under the action of gravity, leave said downcomer and are reintroduced into the riser, a gas recycle stream being withdrawn from said first polymerisation zone, subjected to cooling below its dew point and then returned to said first polymerisation zone, the process being characterised in that said gas recycle stream is cooled at a temperature Tc ranging from 0.05° C. to 3° C. below its dew point.

Abstract: A process for the multistage polymerization of olefins in a sequence of an upstream slurry reactor and a downstream gas-phase reactor, the transfer of polymer from the upstream reactor to the downstream reactor comprising the following steps: a) heating the slurry of polyolefin particles to evaporate the liquid polymerization medium; b) separating the polyolefin particles from the obtained gaseous phase in at least a separation chamber; c) transferring the polyolefin particles to said downstream reactor by means of a couple of lock hoppers working intermittently in parallel, where one of said lock hoppers is continuously filled with the polymer coming from said separation chamber, while simultaneously the other one is continuously pressurized by means of a gas comprising the reaction mixture coming from said downstream reactor.

Abstract: A method of discharging polymer from a continuously operated polymerization reactor, wherein at least a monomer is polymerized to form polymer particles, the method comprising adjusting the discharge rate of the polymer particles by means of a piston valve having a piston element connected to an actuator, said actuator being able to modulate the piston stroke inside said piston valve.

Abstract: A method of discharging polymer from a continuously operated polymerization reactor, wherein at least a monomer is polymerized to form polymer particles, the method comprising adjusting the discharge rate of the polymer particles by means of a piston valve having a piston element connected to an actuator, said actuator being able to modulate the piston stroke inside said piston valve.