Abstract: The present invention is directed to various methods and systems for detecting at least one impurity in a bulk fluid. In certain embodiments, the methods are performed in conjunction with a polymerization reactor system such as a gas-phase reactor system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous gas phase process comprising polymerizing one or more hydrocarbon monomer(s) in a fluidized bed reactor in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta-type catalyst system and a condensable fluid for a period of at least 12 hours where the bed temperature is less than the Critical Temperature and the dew point temperature of the gas composition in the reactor is within 25° C. of the bed temperature.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multiple phase polymerization process to produce polyolefins comprising contacting olefins and a homogeneous catalyst or catalyst system at a temperature between the melting point of the dry polymer and 80° C. below the melting point of the dry polymer in the presence of a fluorinated hydrocarbon. This invention also relates to a process to produce polyethylene comprising contacting a homogeneous catalyst or catalyst system with ethylene and from 0 to 40 weight % of one or more C3 to C40 olefin comonomer(s) in the presence of a fluorinated hydrocarbon and optionally a hydrocarbon solvent at a temperature below the reaction medium melting point.

Abstract: This invention is directed to processes of making polymer in the presence of a hydrofluorocarbon or perfluorocarbon and recovering the polymer. The processes provided enable polymerization processes to be practiced with minimal fouling in the reaction system, and provide polymer products that can be manufactured to relatively low densities. The invention is particularly beneficial in the production of ethylene based polymers using chromium catalyst systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous gas phase process comprising passing a recycle stream through a fluidized bed in a gas phase fluidized bed reactor, wherein the recycle stream comprises a low molecular weight dew point increasing component and a high molecular weight component, polymerizing an alpha-olefin monomer in the presence of a catalyst, and controlling an amount of the low molecular weight dew point increasing component in the recycle stream such that a dew point approach temperature of the recycle stream is less than the dew point approach temperature when operating with the higher molecular weight dew point increasing component alone.

Abstract: This invention is directed to processes of making polymer in, the presence of a fluorinated hydrocarbon and recovering the polymer. The processes provided enable polymerization processes to be practiced with minimal fouling in the reaction system, and allows for the recovery of the fluorinated hydrocarbon and other hydrocarbons such as hydrocarbons for re-use in the process or hydrocarbon by-products from the polymerization process. The invention is particularly beneficial in the production of propylene-ethylene based copolymers using Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems.

Abstract: This invention is directed to processes of making polymer in the presence of a hydrofluorocarbon or perfluorocarbon and recovering the polymer. The processes provided enable polymerization processes to be practiced with minimal fouling in the reaction system, and to the recovery of the hydrofluorocarbon and other hydrocarbons such as hydrocarbons for reuse in the process or hydrocarbon by-products from the polymerization process. The invention is particularly beneficial in the production of ethylene based polymers using Ziegler Natta catalyst systems.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process to increase the amount of polymer solute in a polymerization medium or effluent comprising introducing a fluorocarbon into the polymerization medium or effluent in an amount effective to increase the amount of polymer solute in the polymerization medium or effluent by at least 3% without causing precipitation of polymer solute from the polymerization medium or effluent, as compared to the same polymerization medium or effluent without the fluorocarbon present. This invention also relates to a process to reduce the viscosity of a polymerization medium or effluent comprising introducing a fluorocarbon into the polymerization medium or effluent in an amount effective to reduce the viscosity of the polymerization medium or effluent by at least 3% without causing precipitation of polymer solute from the polymerization medium or effluent, as compared to the same polymerization medium or effluent without the fluorocarbon present.

Abstract: This invention is directed to processes for making polymer in the presence of a hydrofluorocarbon, and for the recovery of polymer substantially free of dissolved hydrocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons. The processes provided enables polymerization processes to be practiced with minimal fouling in the reaction system, and with the recovery of the hydrofluorocarbon and monomers for reuse in the reactor. The process of the invention utilizes a reactor system, a recovery system and a flare system that minimize environmental emissions of hydrocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons and associated decomposition products.

Abstract: This invention is directed to processes of making polymer in the presence of a fluorinated hydrocarbon and recovering the polymer. The processes provided enable polymerization processes to be practiced with minimal fouling in the reaction system, and allows for the recovery of the fluorinated hydrocarbon and other hydrocarbons such as hydrocarbons for reuse in the process or hydrocarbon by-products from the polymerization process. The invention is particularly beneficial in the production of propylene based polymers using Ziegler Natta catalyst systems.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a polymerization process that is carried out at relatively high productivity levels and with relatively low fouling. The process includes mixing together a catalyst system, at least one monomer and a hydrofluorocarbon to produce the polymer. The reaction is carried out such that little to no chlorine containing hydrocarbons are present.

Abstract: An illuminable sign (1) including a plate (2) of a light-transmitting material, at least one three-dimensional body, such as a convex strip (7), also of a light-transmitting material, in the form of a symbol, lettering, decoration or the like, and positioned on or over a surface of the plate (2), and a light source (4). The light source (4) is positioned along at least part of an edge (3) of the plate (2), such that, when the light source (4) is switched on, light from the source (4) is coupled into the plate (2). The illuminable sign (1) closely resembles a neon sign.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process to polymerize olefins comprising contacting a catalyst or catalyst system with olefin(s) in the presence of a fluorocarbon at a temperature above the onset melting point of the polymer. This invention also relates to a solution process to polymerize olefins comprising contacting a catalyst or catalyst system with olefin(s) in the presence of a fluorocarbon at a temperature above the onset melting point of the polymer.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing one or more monomers is provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the process includes preparing a mixture comprising the one or more monomers, a catalyst system and a flourinated hydrocarbon, preferably a hydrofluorocarbon. A fluorinated hydrocarbon containing stream, a polymer product stream and a waste stream are recovered from the mixture. At least a portion of the waste stream is sent to a non-flare decomposition system to produce a destructed waste stream, and the destructed waste stream is released to atmosphere.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method including the steps of monitoring a polymerization reaction which produces a polymer resin in a fluid bed reactor, where a dry melt reference temperature is characteristic of melting behavior of a dry version of the resin, and in response to data indicative of at least one monitored parameter of the reaction, determining a reduced melt reference temperature that is at least substantially equal to the difference between the dry melt reference temperature and a temperature by which the dry melt reference temperature is depressed by the presence of condensable diluent gas with the resin in the reactor. Optionally, the method also includes the step of controlling the reaction in response to the reduced melt reference temperature or a stickiness parameter determined from the reduced melt reference temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to operating a gas-phase reactor at or near maximum production rates and to measuring and controlling polymer stickiness in a gas phase reactor polymerization. In particular, embodiments relate to monitoring acoustic emissions in a reactor during gas phase polymerization to determine the onset of reactor stickiness and possibly discontinuity events such as chunking and sheeting resulting from that stickiness. Embodiments also relate to monitoring acoustic emissions to determine the need for effective control of parameters that minimize reactor stickiness and thereby preventing discontinuity events. The emissions are processed by arithmetic averaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous gas phase process comprising polymerizing one or more hydrocarbon monomer(s) in a fluidized bed reactor in the presence of catalyst system or polymerization catalyst and a condensable fluid for a period of at least 12 hours where the bed temperature is less than the Critical Temperature and the dew point temperature of the gas composition in the reactor is within 25° C. of the bed temperature.

Abstract: Processes for transitioning among polymerization catalyst systems, preferably catalyst systems that are incompatible with each other. In particular, the processes relate to transitioning from olefin polymerizations utilizing metallocene catalyst systems to olefin polymerizations utilizing traditional Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous gas phase process comprising polymerizing one or more hydrocarbon monomer(s) in a fluidized bed reactor in the presence of catalyst system or polymerization catalyst and a condensable fluid for a period of at least 12 hours where the bed temperature is less than the Critical Temperature and the dew point temperature of the gas composition in the reactor is within 25° C. of the bed temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to measuring and controlling static in a gas phase reactor polymerization. In particular, embodiments relate to monitoring carryover static in an entrainment zone during gas phase polymerization to determine the onset of reactor discontinuity events such as chunking and sheeting. Embodiments also relate to monitoring carryover static to determine the need for effective additions of continuity additives that minimize reactor static activity and thereby preventing discontinuity events.