Patent ID: 8017701
Filing Date: 2011-09-13
Classification: B01J,C08F

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a polyolefin manufacturing process, comprising: feeding a monomer, a diluent, and a catalyst to a polymerization reactor; polymerizing the monomer in the polymerization reactor to form polyolefin particles; discharging a slurry from the polymerization reactor, wherein the slurry comprises monomer, diluent, and polyolefin particles; recovering polyolefin particles from the slurry by separating at least a majority of the diluent from the slurry; recycling a first portion of the separated diluent to the polymerization reactor without fractionating the first portion; fractionating a second portion of the separated diluent to provide diluent substantially free of monomer; extruding and pelletizing the recovered polyolefin particles to form polyolefin pellets; transporting polyolefin pellets to a load-out area; and consuming less than 445 kilowatt-hours of energy per metric ton of polyolefin produced based on consumption of electricity, steam, and fuel gas.