Patent ID: 6433133
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: C08F,Y10S

Abstract:
A process for producing polyethylene and/or interpolymers of ethylene and at least one, or more, other monomers interpolymerizable with the ethylene, and/or mixtures of said interpolymers, having reduced melt index ratio (MIR) and reduced weight average molecular weight (Mw) comprising:a. introducing a first polyethylene and/or interpolymer of ethylene and at least one, or more, other monomers interpolymerizable with the ethylene, and/or mixture of said interpolymers, into an apparatus and melting the first polyethylene and/or interpolymer of ethylene and/or mixture of interpolymers, at a temperature above the melting point of the first polyethylene and/or interpolymer of ethylene, and/or mixture of interpolymers, b. introducing the resultant molten first polyethylene and/or interpolymer of ethylene and/or mixture of interpolymers, into at least two, or more, sequentially located reaction zones that are maintained at a temperature of at least 220Â° C., c. subjecting the molten first polyethylene and/or interpolymer of ethylene, and/or mixture of interpolymers, in the at least two, or more, reaction zones to sufficient stirring and for a sufficient period of time, such that the melt index ratio (MIR) and the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the first polyethylene and/or interpolymer of ethylene and/or mixture of interpolymers, are reduced, and d. recovering a resultant second polyethylene and/or interpolymer of ethylene and/or mixture of interpolymers, having a reduced melt index ratio (MIR) and a reduced weight average molecular weight (Mw) as compared to the first polyethylene and/or interpolymer of ethylene, and/or mixture of interpolymers.