Method and device for optimising catalyst supply to a polymerisation reactor

US8258245B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Total Petrochemicals Research Feluy · BE

Inventor

• Louis Fouarge · Dilbeek, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 12, 2010
• Grant date: Sep 4, 2012
• Expiry date: May 12, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01J2219/00231
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Methods for supplying a catalyst to an ethylene slurry loop polymerization reactor and polymers formed therefrom are described herein. The method generally includes preparing a catalyst slurry in a preparation vessel wherein the slurry includes a hydrocarbon diluent liquid which contains a Ziegler-Natta catalyst; supplying the catalyst slurry from the preparation vessel to a buffer vessel; withdrawing the catalyst slurry from the buffer vessel and supplying the catalyst slurry to a slurry loop polymerization reactor in which ethylene is polymerized; mixing a co-catalyst with the Ziegler Natta catalyst in the slurry prior to the supplying of the catalyst slurry to the slurry loop polymerization reactor; and controlling the transfer of catalyst slurry from the preparation vessel to the buffer vessel and the withdrawal of catalyst slurry from the buffer vessel to maintain the level of catalyst slurry in the buffer vessel substantially constant relative to the level of catalyst slurry in the preparation vessel.