Apparatus for controlling olefin polymerization process

Abstract

Apparatus for olefin polymerization includes one or more shell and tube olefin polymerization reactors, each of which has an olefin polymerization reaction mixture inlet connection and a crude polyolefin product outlet connection. Each reactor is equipped with a recirculation system including a pump arranged to circulate a reaction mixture through the tube side of the reactor independently of the introduction of olefin polymerization reaction mixture into the reactor. The apparatus may also include an inlet reaction mixture distribution manifold and an outlet polymerization reaction mixture collection manifold interconnecting the reactors for operation in parallel. The apparatus also includes catalyst composition and catalyst modifier inlets for each reactor arranged such that a catalyst modifier to may be introduced into each reactor at a rate which is independent of the introduction of catalyst composition.

1 . A reactor apparatus for olefin polymerization comprising: 
 a reactor defining a reaction zone and including an olefin polymerization reaction mixture inlet connection and an olefin polymerization reaction mixture outlet connection, which connections are in fluid communication with said zone, said reactor being adapted and arranged to facilitate the conduct in said zone of an exothermic olefin polymerization reaction on said olefin polymerization reaction mixture in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising a catalyst and a catalyst modifier;    an inlet for introduction of an olefin containing feedstock into the reaction mixture in said zone;    a recirculation system including a pump arranged and adapted to circulate said reaction mixture in said zone at a flow rate that is independent of the rate of introduction of olefin containing feedstock into said zone;    a catalyst composition inlet in fluid communication with said zone for introduction of a catalyst composition into the reaction mixture in said zone; and    at least one catalyst modifier inlet in fluid communication with said zone for introduction of a catalyst modifier into the reaction mixture in said zone at a rate which is independent of the rate of introduction of catalyst composition into the reaction mixture in said zone.    
     
     
         2 . A reactor apparatus for olefin polymerization as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said catalyst composition inlet is spaced from said catalyst modifier inlet.  
     
     
         3 . A reactor apparatus for olefin polymerization as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said catalyst composition inlet is connected to a pipe which is part of said recirculation system.