Process for improving the polymerization of ethylene and one or more optional comonomer(s) in a polymerization loop reactor
The present invention relates to a process for improving the polymerization of ethylene and one or more optional co-monomer(s) in a polymerization loop reactor characterized in that said process comprises the step of controlling the hydrogen/monomer ratio along the path of the reactor by multiple, spatially separated, feeding of hydrogen along the path of the loop reactor. In particular, the invention provides a process for controlling, and preferably narrowing, the molecular weight distribution of the produced polymer particles. In another aspect, the invention relates to a polymerization loop reactor suitable for the polymerization process of ethylene and an optional olefin co-monomer, wherein the molecular weight distribution of the produced ethylene polymer can be controlled.
1. A process for the polymerization of ethylene monomer comprising:
feeding ethylene monomer, one or more optional olefin co-monomers and a diluent into a double loop reactor comprising a first loop reactor and a second loop reactor arranged in series;
controlling a hydrogen:monomer ratio along a path of a loop reactor by feeding hydrogen into the loop reactor at multiple, spatially separated points disposed along the path of the loop reactor;
reducing the variation in the hydrogen:monomer ratio between the ratio at the reactor inlet and the ratio at the reactor outlet to a variation that is lower than 40%;
polymerizing the ethylene monomer and the optional co-monomers to produce a polymer slurry comprising essentially liquid diluent and solid ethylene polymer particles; and
discharging the polymer slurry out of the double loop reactor.
2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen:monomer ratio is controlled in the first loop reactor, the second loop reactor or combinations thereof.
3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the multiple, spatially separated points are disposed at equidistant points along the path of the loop reactor.
4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the polymerization catalyst comprises a metallocene catalyst.