Patent · US Expired

Process and apparatus for intermittent polymerization at elevated pressure

US4296221A · kind A · utility

3Cited by
3References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 28, 1980
Grant dateOct 20, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 28, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S526/918
  • WIPO fieldMacromolecular chemistry, polymers
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The gas to be polymerized is introduced into the working zone of a high pressure piston compressor and is compressed in timed relation to a pressure suitable for the polymerization. The gas temperature suitable for the polymerization process at the end of the compression stroke is set by cooling or heating the gas before the gas enters the compressor. The catalyst or initiator activating the polymerization is introduced into the working zone of the compressor during the compression stroke or after completion thereof, e.g. with the aid of a controlled injection valve. The gas containing the polymer and expanded approximately to the initial pressure is passed out of the compressor into a separator and is here freed from the polymer, while the residual gas is re-cycled to the compressor by means of a blower. For the polymerization of high-pressure polyethylene, the gas is compressed to a final pressure of about 2500 kg/cm.sup.2 at a temperature of about 130.degree. C. in the working zone of the compressor before introduction of the catalyst. The compressor may operate in a two-stroke or four-stroke cycle.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.