US4535134A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for controlling the discharge of product from vapor phase polymerization of monomers in a horizontal stirred-bed reactor
Assignee: BP Corp North America Inc
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Filing: 1983-03-31
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Granted: 1985-08-13
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Expires: 2003-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are disclosed for metering the removal of polymer or copolymer from the take-off end of a horizontal vapor phase polymerization stirred-bed reactor. The take-off zone discharge apparatus comprises a drain valve, which can seal off the reactor when needed, followed by an automatic discharge ball valve, which controls the discharge of product from the reactor. The discharge apparatus limits vapor losses, outlet pluggage, and downtime on the reactor. The discharge apparatus also can be operated for allowing residence time flexibility, increased catalyst yields, and improved product quality.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark X. de Lorenzo
- 👤 Charles R. Hoffpauir
- 👤 Johnnie R. Hutchins
- 👤 Timmy R. Meyer
- 👤 John E. Page
- 👤 Michael E. Poehl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 02:32
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08F; C08F2/00; C08F2/34; B; B01; B01J; B01J8/00; B01J8/0015; B01J8/0035; B01J8/18; B01J8/24; B01J8/36; B01J8/38; B01J8/382; C08F10/00; B01J2208/00; B01J2208/00796; B01J2208/00823; B01J2208/00831; B01J2208/0084; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/18; B01J2219/182
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for discharging polymeric product in powdered form from the take-off end of a horizontal vapor phase polymerization stirred-bed reactor comprising the steps of: (a) setting a rate for discharging powdered polymerized monomer when the reactor is operating in a steady state so as to maintain a powder level above a discharge port at the take-off end of the reactor; and (b) actuating a take-off zone discharge apparatus at the set rate for removing powdered polymerized monomer from the discharge port below the powder level; thereby reducing gas blowby.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for discharging polymeric product in powdered form from the take-off end of a horizontal vapor phase polymerization stirred-bed reactor comprising the steps of: (a) setting a rate for discharging powdered polymerized monomer when the reactor is operating in a steady state so as to maintain a powder level above a discharge port at the take-off end of the reactor; and (b) actuating a take-off zone discharge apparatus at the set rate for removing powdered polymerized monomer from the discharge port below the powder level; thereby reducing gas blowby.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, the reactor being divided into at least two polymerization sections by at least one barrier, wherein the rate is set sufficiently slowly to maintain a desired polymerized monomer bed level above the barrier, thereby increasing residence time.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for discharging polymeric product in powdered form from the take-off end of a horizontal vapor phase polymerization stirred-bed reactor comprising the steps of: (a) sensing the level of the powdered polymerized monomer bed when the reactor is operating in a steady state so as to maintain a powder level above a discharge port at the take-off end of the reactor, the bed level being correlated to the force required for stirring the polymerized monomer; and (b) actuating a take-off zone discharge apparatus for removing powdered polymerized monomer from the discharge port in response to the sensed bed level for maintaining a powder level above the discharge port; thereby reducing gas blowby.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for discharging polymeric product in powdered form from the take-off end of a horizontal vapor phase polymerization stirred-bed reactor comprising the steps of: (a) sensing the level of the powdered polymerized monomer bed when the reactor is operating in a steady state so as to maintain a powder level above a discharge port at the take-off end of the reactor, the bed level being correlated to the force required for stirring the polymerized monomer; and (b) actuating a take-off zone discharge apparatus for removing powdered polymerized monomer from the discharge port in response to the sensed bed level for maintaining a powder level above the discharge port; thereby reducing gas blowby.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the level of the powdered polymerized monomer bed is correlated to the current drawn by an electrical motor driving an agitator for stirring the bed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 3, the reactor being divided into at least two polymerization sections by at least one barrier, wherein the polymerized monomer bed level is maintained at a desired level above the barrier, thereby increasing residence time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the level of the powdered polymerized monomer bed is correlated to the current drawn by an electrical motor driving an agitator for stirring the bed.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for polymerizing at least one polymerizable monomer in the vapor phase comprising the steps of: (a) introducing a polymerizable monomer into a horizontal reactor, the reactor being divided into at least two sections by at least one barrier; (b) agitating the polymerized monomer bed; (c) removing off-gas along the topward portion of the reactor; (d) recycling the off-gas and introducing the recycled off-gas along the bottomward portion of the reactor; (e) introducing at least one catalyst into the reactor; (f) introducing quench liquid into each of the sections of the reactor; and (g) selectively taking off polymerized monomer migrated to the take-off end of the reactor along the bottomward portion of the reactor by opening a drain valve means and operating an automatic discharge ball valve means, connected in series with the drain valve means to a discharge port in the reactor, between an open position and a closed position for discharging polymerized monomer in powdered form.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for polymerizing at least one polymerizable monomer in the vapor phase comprising the steps of: (a) introducing a polymerizable monomer into a horizontal reactor, the reactor being divided into at least two sections by at least one barrier; (b) agitating the polymerized monomer bed; (c) removing off-gas along the topward portion of the reactor; (d) recycling the off-gas and introducing the recycled off-gas along the bottomward portion of the reactor; (e) introducing at least one catalyst into the reactor; (f) introducing quench liquid into each of the sections of the reactor; and (g) selectively taking off polymerized monomer migrated to the take-off end of the reactor along the bottomward portion of the reactor by opening a drain valve means and operating an automatic discharge ball valve means, connected in series with the drain valve means to a discharge port in the reactor, between an open position and a closed position for discharging polymerized monomer in powdered form.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the automatic discharge ball valve means is actuated for discharging powdered polymerized monomer at a rate sufficiently slowly to maintain a powder level above the discharge port.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the automatic discharge ball valve means is cycled for discharging powdered polymerized monomer at a rate fixed by a timer circuit, set when the reactor is operating in a steady state, for discharging powdered polymerized monomer at a rate sufficiently slowly to maintain a powder level above the discharge port.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the automatic discharge ball valve means is operated for discharging powdered polymerized monomer at a rate fixed by an amperage indicator controller circuit, responsive to the polymerized monomer bed level when the reactor is operating in a steady state, for discharging powdered polymerized monomer at a rate sufficiently slowly to maintain a powder level above the discharge port.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the automatic discharge ball valve means is actuated for discharging powdered polymerized monomer at a rate sufficiently slowly to maintain a desired polymerized monomer bed level above the barrier.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the automatic discharge ball valve means is cycled for discharging powdered polymerized monomer at a rate fixed by a timer circuit, set when the reactor is operating in a steady state, for discharging powdered polymerized monomer at a rate sufficiently slowly to maintain a desired polymerized monomer bed level above the barrier.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the automatic discharge ball valve means is operated for discharging powdered polymerized monomer at a rate fixed by an amperage indicator controller circuit, responsive to the polymerized monomer bed level when the reactor is operating in a steady state, for discharging powdered polymerized monomer at a rate sufficiently slowly to maintain a desired polymerized monomer bed level above the barrier.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4129701A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-08-12 | 1989-02-11 | 1989-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-08-12 | 1993-02-11 | 1993-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-08-12 | 1997-02-11 | 1997-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |