Abstract: A process for production of polyisobutylene includes subjecting a reaction admixture comprising isobutylene, a diluent for the isobutylene, which may be isobutane, and a catalyst composition, that may include a BF3/methanol catalyst complex, to reaction conditions suitable for causing at least a portion of the isobutylene to undergo polymerization to form a polyisobutylene product including polyisobutylene molecules. At least a fraction of the polyisobutylene molecules thus produced have alpha position double bonds and the polyisobutylene product has a number average molecular weight (MN) and a polydispersity index (PDI). The concentration of the diluent in the reaction admixture may be manipulated to control or change any one or more of (a) the relative size of the fraction, (b) the number average molecular weight of the product, (c) the polydispersity index of the product and (d) the relative size of the portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for degassing polymer powder comprising flushing the polymer powder in a first chamber with a first flow of flushing gas, transferring the polymer powder into a second chamber and flushing the polymer powder with a second flow of flushing gas in said second chamber. The present invention also relates to a system suitable for carrying out this method.

Abstract: Polyesters such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polybutylene terephthalate are made from melts of precondensates of polyesters by first conducting vapors comprising precondensate components distributed in the form of an aerosol through a polycondensation reactor in which precondensate components are deposited on the reactor wall and in an outlet chamber of the reactor on a separator. Then the deposits are conducted to the unstirred discharge sump. Upper layers of the discharge sump are continuously recirculated in the stirred reactor area and thus subjected to reconversion and further polycondensation.

Abstract: Olefin polymerisation process in which a slurry of olefin polymer is produced within a polymerisation zone, followed by withdrawing a polymer slurry stream from the polymerisation zone, and passing the polymer slurry stream through a transfer line to a centrifugal concentrating device which separates the polymer slurry stream into a solids-lean stream or streams each having a solids concentration less than that of the polymer slurry stream entering the concentrating device and a solids-rich stream or streams each having a solids concentration greater than that of the polymer slurry stream entering the concentrating device. At least part of the solids-rich stream or streams is recycled back into the polymer slurry stream upstream of the concentrating device and downstream of the polymerisation zone, and 2-60 vol % of the solids-rich slurry stream is recycled back into the polymer slurry stream upstream of the concentrating device.

Abstract: A manufacturing process for producing polyolefin, having a feed system, a reactor system including at least one polymerization reactor, a diluent/monomer recovery system, a fractionation system, and an extrusion/loadout system having an extruder. The manufacturing process is configured to consume less than 325 kilowatt-hours of electricity per metric ton of polyolefin produced.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process to polymerize olefins comprising contacting propylene, at a temperature of 65° C. to 150° C. and a pressure of 1.72 to 34.

Abstract: A flash chamber sized to receive the effluent discharged from a polyolefin reactor during normal operation of the reactor and during a reactor dump, advantageously eliminating a reactor dump tank or alternate flash tank from the equipment outlay of a polyolefin manufacturing process. The flash chamber is sized to hold at least the polyolefin solids discharged from the reactor. A condenser fluidically coupled to an overhead portion of the flash chamber is sized to condense the flow rate of vaporized hydrocarbon (e.g., diluent, monomer, etc.) discharged overhead from the flash chamber during normal operation and during the reactor dump.

Abstract: An olefin polymerization reactor of the present invention includes a cylinder which extends vertically, and a decreasing diameter member which is formed on the cylinder, has an inside diameter that decreases progressively downward and has a gas inlet orifice at a bottom end thereof. A spouted bed is formed inside a reaction zone enclosed by an inside surface of the decreasing diameter member and an inside surface of the cylinder above the decreasing diameter member.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for gas phase polymerization of olefins in a fluidized bed reactor are disclosed. The process and apparatus employ a vertically oriented fines ejector in order to reduce fouling and reactor downtime.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for the manufacture of an olefin polymer composition in which corrosive trace cocatalyst and catalyst residues are removed from the hydrocarbon gas recycle stream prior to compression and re-use in the polymerization zone(s).

Abstract: A method for the separation of hydrocarbon compounds utilizing a dividing wall distillation column is described. The dividing wall distillation column enables one or more side draw stream to be removed from the dividing wall distillation column in addition to an overhead stream and a bottoms stream.

Abstract: To provide a continuous production method for producing a water-soluble polymer with a narrow molecular weight distribution with high efficiency. A continuous production method of a water-soluble polymer, comprising the steps of: circulating a circulation liquid containing a monomer having a polymerizable unsaturated bond through a reaction apparatus: having a tank and a circulation line comprising a piping circulating outside the tank, and thereby producing a water-soluble polymer continuously; and discharging part of the circulation liquid from a discharge line, wherein the circulation line is provided with a cooling device at least at one position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various processes, including but not limited to a continuous process for making an elastomer composition having a Mooney Viscosity (ML (1+4) @125° C.) of from 16 to 180, the composition including a first polymer and a second polymer, the process comprising: polymerizing a first monomer system that includes propylene and one or both of ethylene and propylene in a solvent using a first catalyst system in a first polymerization zone to provide a first polymer, having 60 wt % or more units derived from propylene, including isotactically-arranged propylene-derived sequences and further having a heat of fusion less than 45 J/g or a melting point less than 105° C. or both and a Mooney Viscosity (ML (1+4) @125° C.

Abstract: The present relates to a process for optimizing the recovery of unreacted monomers from a polymerization process, wherein said process comprises the steps of recovering a fluid stream generated by the separation of the polyolefin product from the polymerization fluid comprising unreacted monomers and optionally comonomers; contacting said fluid stream in an absorption zone with a scrub liquid comprising at least one C4-10 hydrocarbons, thereby absorbing at least a portion of the unreacted monomers in said scrub liquid; and withdrawing from said absorption zone (i) a vapor overhead comprising light gas and (ii) an absorber bottoms scrub liquid comprising said C4-10 hydrocarbons and said unreacted monomer; thereby recovering said unreacted monomer in said absorber bottoms scrub liquid comprising said C4-10 hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing a thermoplastic copolymer, in which a copolymer (A) containing unsaturated carboxylic acid alkyl ester units and unsaturated carboxylic acid units is produced and in succession heat-treated to perform intramolecular cyclization reaction by dehydration and/or dealcoholization reaction, for producing a thermoplastic copolymer (B) containing glutaric anhydride units and the unsaturated carboxylic acid alkyl ester units. The obtained copolymer is excellent in heat resistance and colorless transparency and very small in foreign matter content.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas phase process for polymerizing one or more hydrocarbon monomer(s) in the presence of a catalyst system and a fluorinated hydrocarbon, where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is present at a partial pressure of 6.9 to 348 kPa in the reactor and the reactor temperature is from 30 to 120° C.

Abstract: Method of emulsion polymerization wherein a reactor comprising a closed reactor loop is continuously charged with fresh monomers and water phase at substantially the same rate as the rate of an overflow of reactor charge discharged into a secondary line section. The reactor charge is continuously recirculated within the reactor loop. The discharge rate and the circulation rate in the loop are balanced such as to result in a monomer content in the loop of less than 12 wt. %. The secondary line section has a volume of less than twice the volume of the reactor loop.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a process for the high pressure polymerization of ethylene, optionally with one or more comonomers, in which unreacted monomer is separated from the polymer in a separation system having at least first, second and third separation vessels and in which off gas from the second vessel is recombined back into the product mixture upstream of the first separation vessel, preferably using a jet pump.

Abstract: Embodiments of our invention relate generally to methods of monitoring and controlling polymerization reactions including reactions producing multimodal polymer products using multiple catalysts in a single reactor. Embodiments of the invention provide methods of rapidly monitoring and controlling polymerization reactions without the need to sample and test the polymer properties. The method uses reactor control data and material inventory data in a mathematical leading indicator function to control the reactor conditions, and thereby the products produced under those conditions.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing or oligomerising a hydrocarbon includes feeding at a low level a liquid hydrocarbon reactant into a bulk liquid phase comprising polymeric or oligomeric product admixed with a catalyst. The liquid hydrocarbon reactant is allowed to vapourise to form bubbles rising through the bulk liquid phase and to polymerise or oligomerise to form the polymeric or oligomeric product, with the rising bubbles creating turbulence in the bulk liquid phase, thereby mixing the bulk liquid phase. Gaseous components comprising any unreacted vapourised hydrocarbon reactant and any gaseous product that may have formed are withdrawn from a head space above the bulk liquid phase. Liquid phase from the bulk liquid phase is withdrawn to maintain the bulk liquid phase at a desired level.

Abstract: One or more purging devices are provided which prevent buildup of polymer particles on valves used in the production of polyolefins. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to purge devices which direct continuous gas flow onto the face of a ball valve located in a recycle stream to prevent resin buildup. Further embodiments of the present invention relate to polyolefin production processes employing such purging devices.

Abstract: A process for making modified polybutylene terephthalate random copolymers from a polyethylene terephthalate component includes reacting an oligomeric diol component selected from the group consisting of bis(hydroxybutyl) terephthalate, bis(hydroxybutyl)isophthalate, hydroxybutyl-hydroxyethyl terephthalate, and combinations thereof to a reactor; (i) a polyethylene terephthalate component selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate copolymers with (ii) a diol component selected from the group consisting of 1,4-butanediol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and combinations thereof, in the reactor under conditions sufficient to depolymerize the polyethylene terephthalate component into a first molten mixture; combining the first molten mixture is combined with 1,4-butanediol under conditions to form a second molten mixture; and placing the second molten mixture under conditions sufficient to produce the modified polybutylene terephthalate random copolymers.

Abstract: Methods of monitoring and controlling polymerization reactions are disclosed. The ratio of concentrations of two reactor components are determined in a gas stream of a reactor to obtain a leading indicator function L. The value of L or a function of L, such as a rescaled value or a reciprocal, is compared to a target value, and at least one reactor parameter is adjusted in response to a deviation between L or the function of L and the target value. Monitoring of the leading indicator permits rapid diagnosis of reactor problems, and rapid adjustments of reactor parameters, compared to laboratory analysis of samples of polymer properties.

Abstract: A process for producing polyolefins, which includes polymerizing at least one olefin monomer, separating at least a part of the reaction mixture, dividing the separated reaction mixture into a polymer-lean fraction and a polymer-rich fraction, and subjecting at least a part of the polymer-lean fraction to a purification step prior to recycling back to the polymerization of at least one olefin monomer. The obtained polyolefins particularly have a low content of volatile low molecular weight compounds, a low content of low-molecular weight polyolefin waxes and a low content of residues derived from the catalyst employed.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the purification of polymer polyols that ensures a reduction of acrylonitrile, styrene as well as the residual amounts of optionally used chain regulator, and of occurring recombination products of the initiator when azo initiators are used, to levels of <25 ppm of acrylonitrile, <50 ppm styrene, <50 ppm chain regulator and <280 ppm of recombination products by stripping using packed columns.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for maintaining heat transfer capacity of a cycle cooler while polymerizing olefin(s) in the presence of catalyst and a carboxylate metal salt by controlling the amount of carboxylate metal salt present in the reaction system. In particular, the invention relates to maintaining a cycle cooler performance parameter substantially constant while polymerizing olefin(s) in the presence of a carboxylate metal salt and a conventional-type transition metal polymerization catalyst compound, or a metallocene-type polymerization catalyst compound. This invention further relates to a process wherein the cycle cooler performance parameter is a heat transfer capacity of the cycle cooler, a pressure drop across the cooler, or a cooler approach temperature of a cycle cooler.

Abstract: An apparatus for the polymerization of olefins, in particular ethylene, comprising a gas-phase fluidized-bed reactor (1), a recycle gas line (2) connected to the reactor for discharging and recirculating the recycle gas stream comprising the unpolymerized olefin and a cyclone (3) located in the recycle gas line for the reduction and precipitation of the solid particles entrained in the recycle gas from the reactor, with the cyclone comprising an upper section (3a) which has an essentially vertical central axis, whose wall extends along a rotationally symmetric body and which is provided with a cyclone inlet (4) arranged eccentrically relative to the central axis, a middle section (3b) which adjoins the upper section (3a) and whose wall extends along a rotationally symmetric body which tapers in a downward direction, a lower section (3c) for discharging the solid particles precipitated from the recycle gas which adjoins the middle section (3b) and whose wall extends along a rotationally symmetric body and a tu

Abstract: A process and apparatus for gas phase polymerization of olefins in a fluidized bed reactor are disclosed. The process and apparatus employ a vertically oriented fines ejector in order to reduce fouling and reactor downtime.

Abstract: A method for the separation of hydrocarbon compounds utilizing a dividing wall distillation column is described. The dividing wall distillation column enables one or more side draw stream to be removed from the dividing wall distillation column in addition to an overhead stream and a bottoms stream.

Abstract: Tubular reactor apparatus and processes are provided for improved polymerization including using chain transfer agents and multiple monomer feeds spaced lengthwise along the tubular reactor providing high conversions of monomer into polymer. The invention also relates to polymers made from such a tubular reactor apparatus and processes including those polymers having a low haze value, a density over 0.92 g/cm3 and/or having terminal carbonyl groups. The apparatus and methods uncouple or reduce the dependency between the monomer concentration and transfer agent concentration. The uncoupling in other embodiments may also be varied leading to multiple desirable effects.

Abstract: A method for carrying out a mass polymerization of monomers and/or pre-polymers, which are at least partially soluble in their polymers, in particular methyl methacrylate (MMA) is provided. The method involves the addition of at least one monomer or pre-polymer in a reactor. Mass polymerization for amorphous polymers is carried out without solvents below the glass transition temperature and for crystalline polymers below the melting point, achieving a high degree of conversion of the monomers.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for gas phase polymerization of olefins in a fluidized bed reactor are disclosed. The process and apparatus employ a vertically oriented fines ejector in order to reduce fouling and reactor downtime.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for separating unreacted monomer from a polymerization process effluent stream, wherein the effluent stream comprises unreacted monomer and polymer particles. The method comprises passing the effluent stream of a fluidized-bed reactor into at least one container, feeding a high-pressure olefin through an ejector, and vacuuming at least a portion of the effluent stream from the at least one container through the ejector. The apparatus comprises a fluidized-bed reactor having a first conduit connected to a first tank, an ejector having a second conduit connected to the first tank, and a third conduit connected to the fluidized-bed reactor.

Abstract: A process for increasing a granular particle density of a polymeric product using at least one particle density promoting agent is described. The process includes passing a gaseous stream comprising at least one monomer through a fluidized bed reactor in the presence of a catalyst to form a polymeric product having a first granular particle density of less than or equal to about 850 kg/m3, contacting the polymeric product with at least one particle density promoting agent to increase the granular particle density of the polymeric product by at least 2%, withdrawing the polymeric product having an increased granular particle density and a recycle stream comprised of unreacted monomers, and cooling and reintroducing the recycle stream into the fluidized bed reactor with sufficient additional monomer to replace the monomer polymerized and withdrawn as the polymeric product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for controlling the gas-phase co-polymerisation of olefins in a fluidised bed reactor. The present invention further relates to a method for the continuous gas-phase (co-)polymerisation of olefins in a fluidised bed reactor in the presence of a polymerisation catalyst wherein the density SPAN of the polymer powder particles leaving the reactor is maintained below certain values throughout the polymerisation.

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: A process for continuously producing a thermoplastic copolymer, in which a copolymer (A) containing unsaturated carboxylic acid alkyl ester units and unsaturated carboxylic acid units is produced and in succession heat-treated to perform intramolecular cyclization reaction by dehydration and/or dealcoholization reaction, for producing a thermoplastic copolymer (B) containing glutaric anhydride units and the unsaturated carboxylic acid alkyl ester units. The obtained copolymer is excellent in heat resistance and colorless transparency and very small in foreign matter content.

Abstract: This invention provides an equipment and a method for producing polyhydroxycarboxylic acid whereby the yield of a starting material in the process can be improved.

Abstract: A flash chamber sized to receive the effluent discharged from a polyolefin reactor during normal operation of the reactor and during a reactor dump, advantageously eliminating a reactor dump tank or alternate flash tank from the equipment outlay of a polyolefin manufacturing process. The flash chamber is sized to hold at least the polyolefin solids discharged from the reactor. A condenser fluidically coupled to an overhead portion of the flash chamber is sized to condense the flow rate of vaporized hydrocarbon (e.g., diluent, monomer, etc.) discharged overhead from the flash chamber during normal operation and during the reactor dump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an additive for improving the flowability of fines and their reintroduction into a process for the continuous gas-phase (co-) polymerisation of olefins in a fluidized bed or sub-fluidized bed reactor.

Abstract: A novel liquid phase polymerization process for preparing a polyolefin product having preselected properties is disclosed. The process includes the steps of providing a liquid feedstock which contains an olefinic component and a catalyst composition consisting of a stable complex of BF3 and a complexing agent therefor. The feedstock may comprise any one or more of a number of olefins including branched olefins such as isobutylene, C3 to C15 linear alpha olefins and C4 to C15 reactive non-alpha olefins. The feedstock and the catalyst composition are introduced into a residual reaction mixture recirculating in a loop reactor reaction zone provided in the tube side of a shell and tube heat exchanger at a recirculation rate sufficient to cause intimate intermixing of the residual reaction mixture, the added feedstock and the added catalyst composition.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for the prevention of reactor fouls in polymerization reactors. A technique is provided for limiting polymer particle size to prevent or limit the occurrence of reactor fouls associated with large polymer particles. A technique is also provided for measuring reactor temperature at one or more local hot spots of the reactor and for controlling the polymerization reaction based upon these temperature measurements. In particular, control of the reaction may be based on the hottest temperature, such that the hottest temperature in the reactor is maintained within the reactor fouling curve. A technique is also discussed for predicting reactor fouls by using statistical analyses, such as periodogram analysis, to identify leading indicators of impending fouls. Preventative measures may be performed upon identification of such a leading indicator. In addition, the statistical analyses may be used to identify catalysts having less propensity to foul.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing linear alpha-olefins by oligomerizing of ethylene in the presence of a first organic solvent and a homogenous catalyst in a reactor, characterized in that the reactor overhead is cooled by means of a refrigerant.

Abstract: Provided for herein is a process for separating a hydrocarbon-rubber from a hydrofluorocarbon diluent comprising contacting a polymer slurry comprising the hydrocarbon-rubber dispersed within the hydrofluorocarbon diluent with a hydrocarbon solvent capable of dissolving the hydrocarbon-rubber, to produce a first liquid phase and a second liquid phase, and separating the first liquid phase from the second liquid phase.

Abstract: Methods of producing vinyllactam copolymers which include: providing at least one water-soluble N-vinyllactam; providing at least one hydrophobic comonomer; and subjecting the at least one water-soluble N-vinyllactam and the at least one hydrophobic comonomer to free-radical polymerization in an organic solvent in the presence of an initiator, under a combination of process measures selected from the group consisting of A and B; wherein: (A) comprises (i) polymerization under reflux, and at least two of (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), and (vii), wherein (ii) comprises an addition of at least 5 mol % of N-vinyllactam to the polymerization mixture if at least 70 mol % of the total amount of hydrophobic monomer used have completely reacted, (iii) comprises return of condensate formed in the reflux from below to the polymerization mixture, (iv) comprises introduction of the initiator in the form of a solution in an organic solvent from below into the polymerization mixture, (v) comprises addition of N-vinyllacta

Abstract: A polyolefin production system, comprising a polymerization reactor (such as a polyethylene loop slurry reactor) and a fractionation system that receives reactor effluent processed in a diluent/monomer recovery system for recycle to the reactor and to suppliers. A conduit diverts a portion of a reflux flow comprising monomer, such as ethylene, from within the fractionation system to the polymerization reactor, providing for less venting of monomer, such as ethylene, to the supplier. Accordingly, monomer yield is advantageously increased, as the monomer returned to the reactor displaces monomer feedstock to the reactor. The reflux flow may originate from a condensed overhead lights from a diluent recycle column disposed in the fractionation subsystem. The diluent recycle column may receive a stream comprising diluent and monomer as feed from the diluent/monomer recovery subsystem, and may receive the non-diverted portion of the reflux flow as reflux.

Abstract: Monomer/solvent separation and recycle processes for continuous supercritical, solution and advanced solution polymerization processes for propylene-containing polymers and their blends are provided. The advantageous monomer/solvent separation and recycle process includes heating a polymer-lean recycle stream coming from a gravimetric separator positioned downstream of the reactor to form a heated polymer-lean recycle stream, and subsequently combining the heated polymer-lean recycle stream with the one or more homogenous reactor effluent streams to form a heated reactor effluent mixed stream. The heated reactor effluent mixed stream may then be passed through a pressure let-down valve followed and a gravimetric separator, such as to provide for reduced fouling propensity of the polymer-rich phase and sufficient heating of the polymer-rich phase to be able to pass through the remainder of the processing steps to form a propylene based polymer product without additional heat.

Abstract: A process for preparing a halogenated polymer in a medium comprising liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide, comprising a step involving the radical polymerization of at least one halogenated monomer and at least one step involving cross-flow filtration; and a cross-flow filtration device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for oligomerization/polymerization of ethylene and/or alpha-olefins, comprising the steps of oligomerizing/polymerizing ethylene and/or alpha-olefins to produce a reaction product which contains undesired reaction by-products, separating the reaction by-product from the reaction product as one or more reaction by-product fractions, and subjecting at least one of the reaction by-product fractions to steam cracking to produce a steam cracking product which comprises ethylene, which may be optionally purified and feed to the oligomerization/polymerization of ethylene and/or alpha olefins step.

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