Slurry phase polymerisation process
View Patent ↗A process comprising polymerising in a loop reactor an olefin monomer optionally together with an olefin commoner in the presence of a polymerisation catalyst in a diluent to produce a slurry comprising solid particulate olefin polymer and the diluent wherein the Froude number is maintained at or below 20 is disclosed.
1. A loop reactor of a continuous tubular construction comprising at least two horizontal sections and at least two vertical sections wherein the reactor has a volume of 75-150 m 3 with a reactor length to internal diameter ratio of less than 500.
2. A loop reactor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reactor has a volume over 80 m 3 .
3. A loop reactor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reactor length to internal diameter ratio is less than 400.
4. A loop reactor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reactor length to internal diameter ratio is less than 250.
5. A reactor system comprising one or more loop reactors as claimed in claim 1 .
6. A reactor system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the one or more loop reactors is preceded or followed by a polymerisation reactor that is not a loop reactor.