Patent ID: 6498220
Filing Date: 2002-12-24
Classification: B01J,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of recovering a solid, particulate polymer from a gas-phase, fluidized bed reactor, the reactor containing (i) a fluidizing gas, and (ii) the polymer in a fluidized state at an operating pressure, the method comprising:Transferring at least a portion of the polymer and the fluidizing gas from the reactor through a first connection to a first vessel, the first vessel having a pressure less than the operating pressure of the reactor; Transferring a portion of the gas in the first vessel through a second connection to a second vessel such that gas remains in the first vessel, the second vessel having a pressure less than the first vessel; Transferring the polymer and the gas remaining in the first vessel through a third connection to a third vessel, the third vessel having a pressure less than the first vessel; Transferring at least a portion of the gas in the third vessel through a fourth connection to a fourth vessel, the fourth vessel having a pressure less than the third vessel; and Transferring the polymer in the third vessel through a firth connection to a fifth vessel, the fifth vessel having a pressure less than the third vessel.