Patent GB-822993-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to the preparation of polyolefins
IPC: B01J4/04
Filed: 1957-08-08
Abstract: <PICT:0822993/III/1> Catalyst particles for polymerizing gaseous olefins are arranged so that the olefin contacts only a portion of the surfaces of the catalyst particles.  The olefin dissolved in an inert liquid hydrocarbon enters a container 2 by an inlet 6 and contacts catalyst particles plugging apertures 4 in a tube 1.  The catalyst, which may be titanium trichloride, is deposited in the apertures 4 by forming a slurry of titanium trichloride in an inert liquid, such as iso-octane, placing the slurry in tube 4, and maintaining a reduced pressure in container 4 so that the particles are held in the apertures and block them, the liquid being removed by conduit 6.  Alternatively, titanium tetrachloride is flowed through tube 1 so that films cover the apertures 4 and the films are contacted with a solution of an aluminium trialkyl in an inert liquid introduced into tube 1 or container 2, so that solid particles of lower titanium chlorides are formed in the apertures and block them. The catalyst particles in the apertures are activated by passing a solution of an activator, such as aluminium tri-isopropyl, in an inert liquid, such as iso-octane, through container 2.  A solution of the olefin, such as propylene, in an inert liquid, such as iso-octane, is then passed through container 2 to form the polymer, or propylene may be bubbled through iso-octane maintained in container 2.  When the reaction has ceased a solvent for the catalyst such as hydrogen chloride in methanol, is placed in tube 1 to dissolve the catalyst in the apertures, and the polymer is removed. Other catalysts, activators, and inert liquids are mentioned.ALSO:<PICT:0822993/IV (a)/1> Gaseous olefins are polymerized by contact with catalyst particles arranged so that the olefin contacts only a portion of the surfaces of the catalyst particles.  The olefin dissolved in an inert liquid hydrocarbon enters a container 2 by an inlet 6 and contacts catalyst particles plugging apertures 4 in a tube 1. The catalyst, which may be titanium trichloride, is deposited in the apertures 4 by forming a slurry of titanium trichloride in an inert liquid, such as iso-octane, placing the slurry in tube 4, and maintaining a reduced pressure in container 4 so that the particles are held in the apertures and block them, the liquid being removed by conduit 6.  Alternatively, titanium tetrachloride is flowed through tube 1 so that films cover the apertures 4 and the films are contacted with a solution of an aluminium trialkyl in an inert liquid introduced into tube 1 or container 2, so that solid particles of lower titanium chlorides are formed in the apertures and block them.  The catalyst particles in the apertures are activated by passing a solution of an activator, such as aluminium tri-isopropyl, in an inert liquid, such as iso-octane, through container 2.  A solution of the olefin, such as propylene, in an inert liquid, such as iso-octane, is then passed through container 2 to form the polymer, or propylene may be bubbled through iso-octane maintained in container 2.  When the reaction has ceased a solvent for the catalyst such as hydrogen chloride in methanol, is placed in tube 1 to dissolve  the catalyst in the apertures, and the polymer is removed.  Other catalysts, activators, and inert liquids, are mentioned.  The polymerization may be conducted at a temperature between 0 DEG  C. and 250 DEG  C., and at a pressure between atmospheric and 5000 p.s.i.g. preferably while maintaining an inert gas or liquid in tube 1 at a pressure slightly above the pressure in container 2.