Polymerization process in the presence of antistatic agent

Abstract

A process for preparing a polyolefin, including polymerizing olefins in the presence of an antistatic agent made from or containing an alkylene oxide derived polymer made from or containing in average from about 10 to about 200 repeating units —(CH2—CHR—O)— with R being hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, wherein the alkylene oxide derived polymer is a random copolymer of ethylene oxide and other alkylene oxides and a ratio of n:m is in the range of from 6:1 to 1:1, wherein (n) is the average number of repeating units —(CH2—CH2—O)— derived from ethylene oxide and (m) is the average number of repeating units —(CH2—CHR′—O)— derived from the other alkylene oxides with R′ being an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and the end groups of the alkylene oxide derived polymer are —OH groups.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]In general, the present disclosure relates to the field of chemistry. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to polymer chemistry. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a process for the preparation of a polyolefin by polymerizing olefins at temperatures of from about 20 to about 200° C. and pressures of from about 0.1 to about 20 MPa in the presence of a polymerization catalyst and an antistatic agent in a polymerization reactor.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]In the context of olefin polymerization, antistatic agents are also called antifouling agents, activity inhibitors, productivity inhibitors or kinetic modifiers. Antistatic agents can include antistatically acting compounds which have polar functional groups such as acid or ester groups, amine or amide groups or hydroxyl or ether groups. Examples of antistatically acting compounds are polysulfone copolymers, polymeric polyamines, polyalcohols, hydroxyesters of polyalcohols, s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present patent provides a process for preparing polyolefins by polymerizing olefins at specific temperatures and pressures in the presence of a polymerization catalyst. The process involves using an antistatic agent made from an alkylene oxide derived polymer. The resulting polyolefin has improved properties such as reduced static charge and improved flowability. The process can be carried out in a polymerization reactor cascade including a fluidized-bed reactor and a multizone circulating reactor, which allows for the production of polyolefins with different molecular weights and densities. The polymerization catalyst used can be a Ziegler catalyst, a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, a Phillips catalyst, a single-site catalyst or a mixture of catalysts made from or containing a single-site catalyst.

Problems solved by technology

Antistatic agents used in the continuous polymerization of olefins can negatively impact the activity of polymerization catalysts and have limited efficiency.

There can be issues regarding sheeting and lump formation, including for preparing polyolefins with relatively high molecular weight.

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