Abstract An easily processible ethylene polymer having a molecular weight distribution different from that of a polymer conventionally produced in an autoclave reactor is obtained by a process for polymerizing ethylene or a mixture of ethylene with one or more other polymerizable monomers in a battery of autoclave reactors, which is characterized by connecting two or more autoclave reactors in series by means of piping provided with a heat exchanger; cooling the polymerization mixture withdrawn from the preceding reactor to a temperature above 120*C. but lower than the reaction temperature in the preceding reactor by 20*C. or more; and introducing the cooled polymerization mixture into the succeeding reactor to continue the polymerization. The molded articles, sheeting, and film prepared from the polymer thus obtained are markedly improved in optical properties.
IN A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A HOMOPOLYMER OR COPOLYMER OF ETHYLENE BY POLYMERIZING ETHYLENE ALONE OR A MIXTURE OF ETHYLENE WITH ONE OR MORE OTHER POLYMERIZABLE MONOMERS IN A BATTERY OF AUTOCLAVE REACTORS, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES CONNECTING TWO OR MORE AUTOCLAVE REACTORS IN SERIES BY MEANS OF PIPING PROVIDED WITH A HEAT EXCHANGER; COOLING THE POLYMERIZATION REACTION MIXTURE WITHDRAWN FROM THE PRECEDING AUTOCLAVE REACTOR BY PASSING THROUGH SAID HEAT EXCHANGER TO A TEMPERATURE ABOVE 120*C. BUT LOWER THAN THE REACTION TEMPERATURE IN THE PRECEDING AUTOCLAVE REACTOR BY 20*C. OR MORE; AND INTRODUCING THE COOLED POLYMERIZATION REACTION MIXTURE INTO THE SUCCEEDING AUTOCLAVE REACTOR TO CONTINUE THE POLYMERIZATION.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
IN A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A HOMOPOLYMER OR COPOLYMER OF ETHYLENE BY POLYMERIZING ETHYLENE ALONE OR A MIXTURE OF ETHYLENE WITH ONE OR MORE OTHER POLYMERIZABLE MONOMERS IN A BATTERY OF AUTOCLAVE REACTORS, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES CONNECTING TWO OR MORE AUTOCLAVE REACTORS IN SERIES BY MEANS OF PIPING PROVIDED WITH A HEAT EXCHANGER; COOLING THE POLYMERIZATION REACTION MIXTURE WITHDRAWN FROM THE PRECEDING AUTOCLAVE REACTOR BY PASSING THROUGH SAID HEAT EXCHANGER TO A TEMPERATURE ABOVE 120*C. BUT LOWER THAN THE REACTION TEMPERATURE IN THE PRECEDING AUTOCLAVE REACTOR BY 20*C. OR MORE; AND INTRODUCING THE COOLED POLYMERIZATION REACTION MIXTURE INTO THE SUCCEEDING AUTOCLAVE REACTOR TO CONTINUE THE POLYMERIZATION.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the polymerization reaction is carried out at a temperature from 140* to 300*C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the monomer copolymerizable with ethylene is at least one member selected from the group consisting of vinyl acetate, methyl methacrylate and styrene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the reaction pressure is from 500 to 4,000 kg/cm2.