Patent ID: 6281300
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: B01D,B01J,C08F

Abstract:
A process for producing polymer in a slurry reactor comprising:reacting a monomer in a hydrocarbon diluent to form a polymerization effluent comprising a slurry of polymer solids in a liquid medium;continuously discharging a portion of said polymerization effluent through a discharge valve into a first transfer conduit;heating said polymerization effluent in said first transfer conduit to a temperature below the fusion temperature of the polymer;continuously communicating said polymerization effluent through said first transfer conduit to a first flash tank wherein the pressure in said first flash tank and the temperature of said heated polymerization effluent are such as to produce as a vapor from about 50% to about 100% of the liquid medium and said vapor is condensable, without compression, by heat exchange with a fluid having a temperature in the range of about 65.degree. to about 135.degree. F.;continuously condensing said vapor obtained in said first flash step, without compression, by heat exchange with a fluid having a temperature in the range of about 65.degree. to about 135.degree. F.;continuously discharging from said first flash tank concentrated polymer solids/slurry to a second flash tank;continuously communicating said concentrated polymer solids/slurry to a second flash tank; andcontinuously exposing the remaining liquid medium in said concentrated polymer solids/slurry to a pressure reduction;wherein the rate of discharge of the polymerization effluent from the slurry reactor is such as to maintain constant pressure in the slurry reactor.