Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100056707 | System and Method for Deinventory of Polymerization Reactor - A flash chamber sized to receive the effluent discharged from a polyolefin reactor during normal operation of the reactor and during a reactor dump, advantageously eliminating a reactor dump tank or alternate flash tank from the equipment outlay of a polyolefin manufacturing process. The flash chamber is sized to hold at least the polyolefin solids discharged from the reactor. A condenser fluidically coupled to an overhead portion of the flash chamber is sized to condense the flow rate of vaporized hydrocarbon (e.g., diluent, monomer, etc.) discharged overhead from the flash chamber during normal operation and during the reactor dump. | 03-04-2010 |
20100056732 | System and Method for Measuring Pressure and Flow in a Loop Reactor - A system and method for measuring pressure and flow rate of polymer slurry circulating in a loop reactor. For flow rate measurement, the loop reactor has a pressure tap on an outside radius of an elbow of the loop and a pressure tap on an inside radius of the elbow. The pressure taps incorporate diaphragms. Sensing legs couple the pressure taps with a differential pressure meter configured to provide a signal indicative of the flow rate of the polymer slurry. For pressure measurement, pressure taps without diaphragms at the loop reactor wall may be disposed at various points along the loop reactor, the pressure taps coupled to pressure sensing lines. A diluent flush line having a screen disposed therein may provide diluent to the pressure taps. The screen may reduce fouling of the pressure tap and sensing line with solids from the reactor. | 03-04-2010 |
20100130704 | Methods and Systems for Controlling Polymer Particle Size - Techniques are provided for producing polymer particles of a size just slightly larger than the size of polymer fines. The technique may prevent or limit the occurrence of reactor fouls associated with large polymer particles. The technique also may provide a greater weight percentage of solids in the reactor. The desired polymer particle size may be achieved by employing a catalyst having particles of a size determined based on the expected catalyst productivity. In certain embodiments, the catalyst particle size may be determined based on the expected catalyst productivity, the polymer particle density, the catalyst particle density, and/or the polymer particle size. | 05-27-2010 |
20100215550 | PUMPING APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR POLYMERIZATION IN LOOP REACTORS - An olefin polymerization process and apparatus wherein a fluid slurry comprising monomer, diluent and catalyst is circulated in a continuous loop reactor by two or more pumps. The process and apparatus allow operating the reaction at significantly higher solids content in the circulating fluid slurry. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid slurry is circulated by two impellers arranged so that the downstream impeller benefits from the rotational energy imparted by the upstream impeller. An olefin polymerization process operating at higher reactor solids by virtue of more aggressive circulation has improved efficiencies, particularly in larger-volume reactors. | 08-26-2010 |
20110190465 | COMPRESSIBLE LIQUID DILUENT IN POLYOLEFIN POLYMERIZATION - Embodiments of the present application provide a method for manufacturing a polyolefin and a system for implementing the method. The method comprises combining a catalyst with a diluent mixture containing a diluent and an olefin monomer in a polymerization reactor. The diluent may comprise propane, butane, or isobutane, or a combination thereof. The polymerization reactor is operated at a pressure above a critical pressure of the diluent, but below the critical temperature of the diluent. | 08-04-2011 |
20110288247 | Continuous Take Off Technique and Pressure Control of Polymerization Reactors - Techniques and systems for producing a polyolefin using reactors in series are described. Described embodiments include techniques and systems for polymerizing a monomer in a first polymerization reactor to form a first polyolefin, discharging a first slurry continuously from the first polymerization reactor to a second polymerization reactor, and discharging a second slurry continuously from the second polymerization reactor. Using continuous take-off devices disposed on either or both reactors, pressure control may be attained such that the rate of transfer between and withdrawal from both reactors are within a desired range. | 11-24-2011 |
20110300025 | ENERGY EFFICIENT POLYOLEFIN PROCESS - A manufacturing process for producing polyolefin, having a feed system, a reactor system including at least one polymerization reactor, a diluent/monomer recovery system, a fractionation system, and an extrusion/loadout system having an extruder. The manufacturing process is configured to consume less than 325 kilowatt-hours of electricity per metric ton of polyolefin produced. | 12-08-2011 |
20110308482 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENERGY GENERATION IN A CHEMICAL PLANT BY UTILIZING FLARE GAS - The present techniques provide systems and methods for recovering energy from flare gases in chemical plants and refineries. The systems use an engine to burn a portion of gas diverted from the flare system. The engine may be a reciprocating engine, or a burner in a boiler system, among others. The power generated by burning the flare gas is then used to power an energy recovery device. The energy recovery device may be an electrical generator, a compressor, or a steam boiler, among others. | 12-22-2011 |
20110311014 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CLOSED RELIEF OF A POLYOLEFIN LOOP REACTOR SYSTEM - A reactor system including an enclosed pressure relief system and/or a control system. The enclosed pressure relief system including a slurry separation system communicatively coupled with a pressure relief valve coupled to a loop reactor such that activation of the pressure relief valve results in discharge of a slurry from the loop reactor to the slurry separation system, wherein the slurry separation system is capable of separating solid and liquid components from gas components of the slurry and transmitting the gas components to a flare via a flare header. | 12-22-2011 |
20120070345 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING POLYMER PARTICLE SIZE - Techniques are provided for producing polymer particles of a size just slightly larger than the size of polymer fines. The technique may prevent or limit the occurrence of reactor fouls associated with large polymer particles. The technique also may provide a greater weight percentage of solids in the reactor. The desired polymer particle size may be achieved by employing a catalyst having particles of a size determined based on the expected catalyst productivity. In certain embodiments, the catalyst particle size may be determined based on the expected catalyst productivity, the polymer particle density, the catalyst particle density, and/or the polymer particle size. | 03-22-2012 |
20120095181 | Ethylene Separation - A polyethylene production process, comprising contacting ethylene and a polymerization catalyst under suitable reaction conditions to yield a polymerization product stream, separating a light gas stream from the polymerization product stream, wherein the light gas stream comprises ethane and unreacted ethylene, contacting the light gas stream with an absorption solvent system, wherein at least a portion of the ethylene from the light gas stream is absorbed by the absorption solvent system, removing unabsorbed gases of the light gas stream from contact with the absorption solvent system to form a waste gas stream, and recovering ethylene from the absorption solvent system. | 04-19-2012 |
20120139149 | ENERGY EFFICIENT POLYOLEFIN PROCESS - A manufacturing system for producing polyolefin includes a polymerization reactor, a flash chamber, and a purge column. In certain embodiments, the purge column may receive a solids stream directly from the flash chamber. Further, the purge column may function as a feed tank for an extruder within an extrusion/loadout system. According to certain embodiments, the manufacturing system may be configured to consume less than 445 kilowatt-hours of energy per metric ton of polyolefin produced based on consumption of electricity, steam, and fuel gas. | 06-07-2012 |
20120232231 | Component Separations in Polymerization - A process for component separation in a polymer production system, comprising separating a polymerization product stream into a gas stream and a polymer stream, wherein the gas stream comprises ethane and unreacted ethylene, distilling the gas stream into a light hydrocarbon stream, wherein the light hydrocarbon stream comprises ethane and unreacted ethylene, contacting the light hydrocarbon stream with an absorption solvent system, wherein at least a portion of the unreacted ethylene from the light hydrocarbon stream is absorbed by the absorption solvent system, and recovering a waste gas stream from the absorption solvent system, wherein the waste gas stream comprises ethane, hydrogen, or combinations thereof. | 09-13-2012 |
20120232232 | Ethylene Recovery by Absorption - A process for recovery of ethylene from a polymerization product stream of a polyethylene production system, comprising separating a light gas stream from the polymerization product stream, wherein the light gas stream comprises ethane and unreacted ethylene, contacting the light gas stream with an absorption solvent system, wherein the contacting the light gas stream with the absorption solvent system occurs at a temperature in a range of from about 40° F. to about 110° F., wherein at least a portion of the unreacted ethylene from the light gas stream is absorbed by the absorption solvent system, and recovering unreacted ethylene from the absorption solvent system to yield recovered ethylene. | 09-13-2012 |
20130005929 | FLASHLINE HEATER SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present embodiments provide a system and method for separation within a polymer production process. Specifically, a flashline heater configured according to present embodiments may provide more time than is required for complete vaporization of liquid hydrocarbons that are not entrained within a polymer fluff produced within a polymerization reactor. Such extra time may allow for liquid hydrocarbons that are entrained within the polymer fluff to be vaporized. | 01-03-2013 |
20130056899 | ENERGY EFFICIENT POLYOLEFIN PROCESS - A manufacturing system for producing polyolefin includes a polymerization reactor, a flash chamber, and a purge column. In certain embodiments, the purge column may receive a solids stream directly from the flash chamber. Further, the purge column may function as a feed tank for an extruder within an extrusion/loadout system. According to certain embodiments, the manufacturing system may be configured to consume less than 445 kilowatt-hours of energy per metric ton of polyolefin produced based on consumption of electricity, steam, and fuel gas. | 03-07-2013 |
20130102742 | PUMPING APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR POLYMERIZATION IN LOOP REACTORS - An olefin polymerization process and apparatus wherein a fluid slurry comprising monomer, diluent and catalyst is circulated in a continuous loop reactor by two or more pumps. The process and apparatus allow operating the reaction at significantly higher solids content in the circulating fluid slurry. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid slurry is circulated by two impellers arranged so that the downstream impeller benefits from the rotational energy imparted by the upstream impeller. An olefin polymerization process operating at higher reactor solids by virtue of more aggressive circulation has improved efficiencies, particularly in larger-volume reactors. | 04-25-2013 |
20130137836 | Methods for Removing Polymer Skins from Reactor Walls - Methods for removing polymer skins or build-up from reactor walls in polymerization reactor systems containing a loop slurry reactor are disclosed. Such methods can employ removing some or all of the comonomer from the reactor system in combination with increasing the polymerization temperature of the loop slurry reactor. | 05-30-2013 |
20130183200 | CONTINUOUS TAKE OFF TECHNIQUE AND PRESSURE CONTROL OF POLYMERIZATION REACTORS - A polymerization reactor system includes features for operating two or more reactors in series or parallel. The system includes a discharge line coupled to an outlet of a first polymerization reactor, a first conduit connecting the first polymerization reactor to a second polymerization reactor via the discharge line, a second conduit connecting the first polymerization reactor to a flashline apparatus via the discharge line, and a diverter valve coupling the first and second conduits to the discharge line. The diverter valve is configured to selectively open the discharge line to the first conduit and close the discharge line to the second conduit in a first valve state and to selectively open the discharge line to the second conduit and close the discharge line to the first conduit in a second valve state. The diverter valve is capable of switching between the first and second valve states. | 07-18-2013 |
20140024788 | ENERGY EFFICIENT POLYOLEFIN PROCESS - A manufacturing system for producing polyolefin includes a polymerization reactor, a flash chamber, and a purge column. In certain embodiments, the purge column may receive a solids stream directly from the flash chamber. Further, the purge column may function as a feed tank for an extruder within an extrusion/loadout system. According to certain embodiments, the manufacturing system may be configured to consume less than 445 kilowatt-hours of energy per metric ton of polyolefin produced based on consumption of electricity, steam, and fuel gas. | 01-23-2014 |
20140065024 | FLASHLINE HEATER SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present embodiments provide a system and method for separation within a polymer production process. Specifically, a flashline heater configured according to present embodiments may provide more time than is required for complete vaporization of liquid hydrocarbons that are not entrained within a polymer fluff produced within a polymerization reactor. Such extra time may allow for liquid hydrocarbons that are entrained within the polymer fluff to be vaporized. | 03-06-2014 |
20140116513 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEAL FLUSH - Techniques are provided for seal flush systems. A system may include a reactor circulation pump configured to circulate a slurry through a polymerization reactor. The slurry may include an olefin monomer, a catalyst, and a diluent. The system may also include a catalyst-inhibiting additive system configured to supply a catalyst-inhibiting additive to a seal of the reactor circulation pump and a seal flush system configured to generate a seal flush mixture and supply the seal flush mixture to the seal of the reactor circulation pump. | 05-01-2014 |
20140121334 | Pressure Management for Slurry Polymerization - Processes and systems for the production for pressure management of a polymerization product flowing from a loop polymerization reactor to a separation vessel in a slurry polymerization system are disclosed herein. For example, a process comprises withdrawing the polymerization product from a loop polymerization reactor, and conveying the withdrawn polymerization product to a separation vessel via a first pressure differential and a second pressure differential. The withdrawn polymerization product may flow through the first pressure differential before flowing through the second pressure differential, and the first pressure differential may be less than the second pressure differential. | 05-01-2014 |
20140121335 | Pressure Management for Slurry Polymerization - Processes and systems for the production for pressure management of a polymerization product flowing from a loop polymerization reactor to a separation vessel in a slurry polymerization system are disclosed herein. For example, a process comprises withdrawing the polymerization product from a loop polymerization reactor, and conveying the withdrawn polymerization product to a separation vessel via a first pressure differential and a second pressure differential. The withdrawn polymerization product may flow through the first pressure differential before flowing through the second pressure differential, and the first pressure differential may be less than the second pressure differential. | 05-01-2014 |
20140194583 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CLOSED RELIEF OF A POLYOLEFIN LOOP REACTOR SYSTEM - A reactor system including an enclosed pressure relief system and/or a control system. The enclosed pressure relief system including a slurry separation system communicatively coupled with a pressure relief valve coupled to a loop reactor such that activation of the pressure relief valve results in discharge of a slurry from the loop reactor to the slurry separation system, wherein the slurry separation system is capable of separating solid and liquid components from gas components of the slurry and transmitting the gas components to a flare via a flare header. | 07-10-2014 |
20140256889 | ENERGY EFFICIENT POLYOLEFIN PROCESS - A manufacturing system for producing polyolefin includes a polymerization reactor, a flash chamber, and a purge column. In certain embodiments, the purge column may receive a solids stream directly from the flash chamber. Further, the purge column may function as a feed tank for an extruder within an extrusion/loadout system. According to certain embodiments, the manufacturing system may be configured to consume less than 445 kilowatt-hours of energy per metric ton of polyolefin produced based on consumption of electricity, steam, and fuel gas. | 09-11-2014 |
20140329977 | POLYMERIZATION PRODUCT PRESSURES IN OLEFIN POLYMERIZATION - A process for making a low density polymer in a polymerization reactor system, the process comprising polymerizing an olefin monomer, and optionally an olefin comonomer, in the presence of a diluent in a polymerization reactor to make a polymerization product slurry consisting of a liquid phase and a solid phase, wherein the solid phase comprises an olefin polymer having a density of between about 0.905 g/cm | 11-06-2014 |
20140343236 | Polymerization Product Pressures in Olefin Polymerization - A process for making a low density polymer in a polymerization reactor system, the process comprising polymerizing an olefin monomer, and optionally an olefin comonomer, in the presence of a diluent in a polymerization reactor to make a polymerization product slurry consisting of a liquid phase and a solid phase, wherein the solid phase comprises an olefin polymer having a density of between about 0.905 g/cm | 11-20-2014 |