Loop slurry reactor cooling method and system

Abstract

Systems and methods for distributing reactor coolant streams to cooling jackets of loop slurry reactors are disclosed, wherein the reactor coolant is used to control the temperature of the loop slurry reactor in olefin polymerization. Systems and methods for controlling the temperature of reactor coolant used to cool olefin polymerization reactors are also disclosed, which can be used in combination with conventional coolant distribution mechanisms as well as with the coolant distribution systems and methods disclosed herein.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the cooling of a loop slurry reactor in olefin polymerization. Background Technology

[0002] Polyolefins can be prepared by polymerizing olefin monomers in a polymerization reactor, in which feed substances such as olefin monomers, olefin comonomers, catalysts, activators, chain transfer agents, and catalyst diluents are introduced. The polymerization reaction within the reactor produces polyolefins as part of the polymerization product.

[0003] Catalytic olefin polymerization reactions are generally exothermic; therefore, in order to operate olefin polymerization at temperatures below and / or within desired temperature ranges (e.g., below the temperature at which the product polymer melts and / or causes fouling of the equipment and within the range that provides a homogeneous polyolefin product), the heat generated by the polymerization reaction must be removed from the reactor. In the case of a loop slurry reactor, cooling jackets are placed around the vertical branches of the loop slurry reactor, and coolant flows through the cooling jackets during polymerization to remove the heat of reaction generated by the exothermic polymerization.

[0004] The coolant, heated by the heat carried away from the reactor, is cooled in a heat exchanger and then returned to the cooling jacket. A continuous stream of coolant is supplied to the cooling jacket to absorb the heat of reaction and is then cooled by a heat exchanger in the coolant loop.

[0005] As commercial polyolefin manufacturing plants continue to scale up to meet global demand, the cooling requirements for polymerization reactors are also increasing. In the case of some loop slurry reactors, the reactors are so large that previously used cooling technologies involved large pipes and resulted in overly complex coolant loop designs. Summary of the Invention

[0006] A method for cooling a plurality of vertical branches in a loop slurry reactor, the loop slurry reactor having a first side opposite a second side and a third side opposite a fourth side, wherein the first side and the second side are perpendicular to the third side and the fourth side, the method comprising: flowing coolant to a first coolant supply manifold extending along the first side of the loop slurry reactor; flowing coolant out from a first coolant return manifold extending along the second side of the loop slurry reactor; and flowing coolant from the first coolant supply manifold through a first plurality of coolant channels to the first coolant return manifold; wherein each of the first plurality of coolant channels is configured to i) exchange heat with a first pair of vertical branches of the plurality of vertical branches, ii) receive coolant from the first coolant supply manifold on the first side of the loop slurry reactor, and iii) return coolant to the first coolant return manifold on the second side of the loop slurry reactor.

[0007] A coolant distribution system for a plurality of vertical branches in a loop slurry reactor, wherein the loop slurry reactor has a first side opposite a second side and a third side opposite a fourth side, wherein the first side and the second side are perpendicular to the third side and the fourth side, the coolant distribution system comprising: a first coolant supply manifold extending along the first side of the loop slurry reactor; a first coolant return manifold extending along the second side of the loop slurry reactor; and a first plurality of coolant channels; wherein each of the first plurality of coolant channels is configured to i) exchange heat with a first pair of vertical branches of the plurality of vertical branches, ii) receive coolant from the first coolant supply manifold on the first side of the loop slurry reactor, and iii) return coolant to the first coolant return manifold on the second side of the loop slurry reactor.

[0008] A method for controlling the temperature of a coolant in olefin polymerization, the method comprising: flowing a temperature-regulated coolant through a first plurality of cooling sleeves and then through a second plurality of cooling sleeves to form a warmed coolant, wherein the first plurality of cooling sleeves and the second plurality of cooling sleeves are positioned around a plurality of vertical branches of a loop slurry reactor; flowing the warmed coolant from the second plurality of cooling sleeves to a heat exchanger; cooling the warmed coolant in the heat exchanger to form a cooled coolant; passing the cooled coolant through a steam heater to form a temperature-regulated coolant; and flowing the temperature-regulated coolant back to the first plurality of cooling sleeves; wherein the heat exchanger and the steam heater are fluidly connected in series rather than in parallel with respect to the flow direction of the coolant through the heat exchanger and the steam heater.

[0009] A temperature control system for a coolant in olefin polymerization, the temperature control system comprising: a coolant return conduit coupled to a first plurality of cooling sleeves of a loop slurry reactor; a heat exchanger coupled to the coolant return conduit and configured to cool warmed coolant received from the coolant return conduit to form a cooled coolant; a steam heater coupled to the heat exchanger and configured to i) heat the cooled coolant to form a temperature-regulated coolant, or ii) allow the cooled coolant to pass through without heating to form the temperature-regulated coolant; and a coolant supply conduit coupled to the steam heater and to a second plurality of cooling sleeves of the loop slurry reactor, wherein the first plurality of cooling sleeves are fluidly coupled to the second plurality of cooling sleeves; wherein the heat exchanger and the steam heater are connected in series rather than in parallel. Attached Figure Description

[0010] The accompanying drawings form part of this specification and are included to further illustrate certain aspects of the invention. The invention can be better understood by referring to one or more of these drawings in conjunction with the detailed description of the specific embodiments presented herein.

[0011] Figure 1 The illustration shows a perspective view of a loop slurry reactor.

[0012] Figure 2 The diagram shows... Figure 1 A top view of the vertical branches of a loop slurry reactor, which has cooling sleeves placed around each vertical branch and a flow chart of a method for a coolant distribution system similar to that previously used for smaller loop slurry reactors.

[0013] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates a method flow chart for a temperature control system for the coolant, which is similar in construction to that previously used for smaller loop slurry reactors.

[0014] Figure 4 The diagram shows Figure 1 A top view of the vertical branches of a loop slurry reactor, the loop slurry reactor having cooling sleeves placed around each vertical branch in the loop, and having a method flow diagram of a coolant distribution system according to the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 5 The diagram shows Figure 1 A top view of the vertical branches of a loop slurry reactor, the loop slurry reactor having cooling sleeves placed around each vertical branch in the vertical branches, and having a method flow diagram of another coolant distribution system according to this disclosure.

[0016] Figure 6 The diagram shows a view from the third side of the loop slurry reactor. Figure 4 Side view of the coolant distribution system.

[0017] Figure 7 The diagram shows a view from the third side of the loop slurry reactor. Figure 5 Side view of the coolant distribution system.

[0018] Figure 8 The figure shows a flowchart of a method for controlling a coolant temperature system according to the present disclosure.

[0019] While the invention disclosed herein is susceptible to various modifications and alternatives, only a few specific embodiments have been illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings and are described in detail below. The drawings and the detailed description of these specific embodiments are not intended to limit the breadth or scope of the inventive concept or the appended claims in any way. Rather, the drawings and detailed written description are provided to illustrate the inventive concept to those skilled in the art and to enable such persons to acquire and use the inventive concept. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The accompanying drawings described above and the written description of specific structures and functions below are not intended to limit the scope of what the applicant has invented or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the drawings and written description are provided to teach those skilled in the art to acquire and use the invention for which patent protection is sought. Those skilled in the art will understand that not all features of commercial embodiments of the invention are described or shown for clarity and understanding. Those skilled in the art will also understand that the development of actual commercial embodiments incorporating aspects of the invention will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve the developer’s ultimate goals for the commercial implementation. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, but may not be limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, governmental-related, and other restrictions that may vary depending on the specific implementation, location, and time. While the work of the developer may be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, such work will be a routine task for those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure. It must be understood that the invention disclosed and taught herein is susceptible to numerous different modifications and alternatives. Finally, the use of singular terms (such as, but not limited to, “a(a)”) is not intended to limit the number of articles. Furthermore, the use of relational terms in the written description, such as, but not limited to, “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “downward,” “upward,” “side,” etc., is for clear specific reference to the accompanying drawings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the appended claims.

[0021] This document uses the terms “constructed for,” “constructed for,” or “adapted to” and similar language to reflect the specific listed structures or procedures used in the disclosed systems or methods. For example, unless otherwise specified, a particular structure “constructed for” means “constructed for use in an olefin polymerization reactor cooling system” and is therefore designed, shaped, arranged, constructed, and / or tailored to cool an olefin polymerization reactor, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0022] The terms “conduit” and “pipeline” are used interchangeably and, as used herein, refer to a physical structure, such as a pipe or conduit, constructed to allow material to flow through it. The material flowing in a “conduit” or “pipeline” can be a gaseous phase, a liquid phase, a solid phase, or a combination of these phases.

[0023] As used in this article, the term "flow" refers to the physical composition of the material flowing through a "conduit" or "pipeline".

[0024] As used herein, the term "manifold" refers to a pipe or conduit having an inlet connected to a coolant supply line and at least two outlets for allowing coolant to flow into the conduit, which is connected to the outlet of the manifold.

[0025] As used herein, the term "manifold" refers to a pipe or conduit having an inlet and at least two outlets for allowing coolant to flow into the conduit, which is connected to the outlet of the manifold, wherein the inlet of the manifold is connected only indirectly to the coolant supply line via a manifold.

[0026] This document discloses methods and systems for coolant distribution and coolant temperature control in olefin polymerization. The methods and systems for coolant distribution involve the delivery of coolant to a cooling jacket of a loop slurry reactor and the reception of warmed coolant from the cooling jacket. The methods and systems for coolant distribution feature a unique piping / conduit configuration with unexpectedly short piping / conduit lengths and unexpectedly reduced pressure drop across the coolant distribution system. The methods and systems for coolant temperature control simplify the control regime for controlling the temperature of the coolant returning to the coolant distribution system. The coolant temperature control techniques disclosed herein can be used for reactor start-up as well as for steady-state reactor operation.

[0027] Now turn to the attached image. Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a perspective view of a loop slurry reactor 100. The loop slurry reactor 100 generally has vertical branch pipes 111, which may also be referred to as vertical sections. The loop slurry reactor 100 also has bends 112, also referred to as upper horizontal sections and lower horizontal sections, which fluidly connect the vertical branch pipes 111 to each other, thereby causing the flow path in the reaction loop to follow the direction of arrow A (e.g., for...). Figure 1 The loop slurry reactor 100 shown is formed (counterclockwise). Each of the vertical branches 111 is parallel to the adjacent vertical branch 111 and is connected to the adjacent vertical branch 111 via one of the bends 112. Polymerization of one or more olefins occurs in the reaction zone defined by the reaction loop. One or more pumps 113 may be connected to the flow path in the loop slurry reactor 100 and are configured (e.g., via motor / impeller arrangement) to circulate the slurry in the flow path loop. The pumps or circulators may be for axial flow, radial flow, or mixed flow. In several aspects, the loop slurry reactor 100 may have a diameter of approximately 151 m. 3 Approximately 379m 3 The range is from 40,000 gallons to 100,000 gallons; alternatively, in the range of approximately 189m. 3 Approximately 360m 3 The range is from 50,000 gallons to 95,000 gallons; alternatively, in the range of approximately 227m. 3 Approximately 341m 3 Within the range of 60,000 to 90,000 gallons; alternatively, approximately 341m 3Volume of 90,000 gallons.

[0028] In several respects, each vertical branch 111 may include a cooling sleeve. Figure 1 The illustration shows cooling sleeves 1 to 16 on each of the sixteen vertical branch pipes 111. Each cooling sleeve 1 to 16 generally wraps around the outer surface of its corresponding vertical branch pipe 111. Coolant flows through each cooling sleeve 1 to 16 and absorbs heat generated in the loop slurry reactor 100 by contacting the outer surface of the corresponding branch pipe 111 to which the cooling sleeve 1 to 16 is attached. In each cooling sleeve 1 to 16, the flowing coolant becomes warm due to the heat received from the corresponding branch pipe 111 and flows from the corresponding cooling sleeve 1 to 16 to a coolant cooling system, such as the embodiment of the coolant cooling system disclosed herein. In the aspect of this disclosure in which a coolant is used as a heating medium for heating reactor contents (such as during reactor start-up), the flowing coolant is cooled in cooling sleeves 1 to 16 due to heat transferred to the respective branch pipes 111, and flows from the respective cooling sleeves 1 to 16 to a coolant cooling system operating in heating mode for reactor start-up, such as embodiments of the coolant cooling system disclosed herein.

[0029] Figure 1 The loop slurry reactor 100 depicted has sixteen vertical branches 111, and is therefore the size of previously used reactor cooling technologies with large pipes, resulting in overly complex piping and cooling structures for the coolant circuit. Although Figure 1 The loop slurry reactor 100 includes sixteen vertical branches 111, but it is anticipated that the loop slurry reactor 100 may include more than Figure 1 The diagram shows more or fewer vertical branches 111 and associated bends 112. Generally, the number of branches 111 equals the number of bends 112 in the loop slurry reactor 100. Branches 111 generally have a linear tube shape. Bends 112 can have any shape or form that connects to both vertical branches 111 and allows the reaction mixture to flow from the first branch of the two vertical branches 111 through the bend 112 and into the second branch of the two vertical branches 111. For example, in some configurations, bends 112 may have continuous bends (e.g., a curved U-shape) rather than... Figure 1 The square U-shape shown; alternatively, the bend 112 may have, as shown in the figure Figure 1 The square U-shape shown; alternatively, some of the bends 112 may have continuous bends, while others of the bends 112 may have square U-shapes.

[0030] In several respects, the inner diameter of the loop slurry reactor 100 can range from about 0.3048 m to about 0.914 m (12 inches to 36 inches). In another respect, the outer diameter of the loop slurry reactor 100 can range from about 0.3048 m to about 0.914 m (12 inches to 36 inches). The loop slurry reactor 100 can have the same inner diameter for the entire loop; alternatively, a first portion (e.g., one or more portions near the discharge line) can have a larger inner diameter than a second portion of the loop reactor 100, wherein both portions have an inner diameter ranging from about 0.3048 m to about 0.914 m (12 inches to 36 inches).

[0031] The construction of the coolant distribution system and method disclosed herein will be described with reference to the sides and ends of the loop slurry reactor 100. The loop slurry reactor 100 has a first side 101, a second side 102, a third side 103, and a fourth side 104. The first side 101 is parallel to the second side 102, the third side 103 is parallel to the fourth side 104, and sides 101 and 102 form an angle (e.g., in the range of approximately 45°–135°) with respect to sides 103 and 104. From a top view of the loop slurry reactor 100, the physical structure of the loop formed by the vertical branch pipe 111 and the bend 112 is rectangular-elliptical. From a top view, the shape of the loop can also be rectangular or square.

[0032] In practical use, the vertical branch pipe 111 and bend pipe 112 of the loop slurry reactor 100 can be fixed to a bracket or some other framed structure so that the bottom of the loop slurry reactor 100 is about 1 foot to about 10 feet (about 0.3048m to about 3.048m) above the ground.

[0033] Figure 2 The diagram shows... Figure 1 A top view of the vertical branch pipes 111 of the loop slurry reactor 100, which has cooling sleeves 1 to 16 placed around each vertical branch pipe in the loop slurry reactor 111, and has a coolant distribution system 200 similar in construction to that previously used for smaller loop slurry reactors. For clarity of description of the coolant distribution system 200, the bends 112 of the loop slurry reactor 100 are shown in... Figure 2 Not shown in the image.

[0034] As can be seen, the coolant distribution system 200 is quite complex when the loop slurry reactor is designed for large-scale global production. The coolant distribution system 200 is configured such that the coolant flow through cooling sleeves 1 to 16 is countercurrent to the reaction mixture flow in the corresponding vertical branch pipes 111. Therefore, coolant is supplied to every other cooling sleeve 1, 3, 5, and 7 on the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100 and to every other cooling sleeve 9, 11, 13, and 15 on the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0035] Figure 2 The coolant distribution system 200 has a coolant supply line 201 and a coolant return line 213 located on the third side 103 of the loop slurry reactor 100. That is, coolant is supplied and withdrawn on the same third side 103 of the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0036] The coolant supply line 201 is divided into a first side coolant supply line 202a and a second side coolant supply line 202b. The first side coolant supply line 202a extends along the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100, while the second side coolant supply line 202b extends along the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0037] The first side coolant supply line 202a is connected to the first coolant supply manifold 203a. The first coolant supply manifold 203a is connected to conduits 204a and 204b. Conduit 204a is also connected to the first coolant supply branch line 205a, and conduit 204b is also connected to the second coolant supply branch line 205b. The first coolant supply branch line 205a is connected to conduit 206a and conduit 206b. The second coolant supply branch line 205b is connected to conduits 206c and 206d. Conduit 206a is connected to cooling sleeve 1, conduit 206b is connected to cooling sleeve 3, conduit 206c is connected to cooling sleeve 5, and conduit 206d is connected to cooling sleeve 7.

[0038] The second side coolant supply line 202b is connected to the second coolant supply manifold 203b. The second coolant supply manifold 203b is connected to conduits 204c and 204d. Conduit 204c is also connected to the third coolant supply manifold 205c, and conduit 204d is also connected to the fourth coolant supply manifold 205d. The third coolant supply manifold 205c is connected to conduits 206e and 206f. The fourth coolant supply manifold 205d is connected to conduits 206g and 206h. Conduit 206e is connected to cooling sleeve 15, conduit 206f is connected to cooling sleeve 13, conduit 206g is connected to cooling sleeve 11, and conduit 206h is connected to cooling sleeve 9.

[0039] For the cooling sleeves 1, 3, 5, and 7 on the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100, the following flow mechanism for coolant supply is implemented: coolant flows from coolant supply line 201, first side coolant supply line 202a, first coolant supply manifold 203a, conduit 204a, first coolant supply branch line 205a, and conduit 206a to cooling sleeve 1; coolant flows from coolant supply line 201, first side coolant supply line 202a, first coolant supply manifold 203a, conduit 204a, first coolant supply branch line 205a, and conduit 206a to cooling sleeve 1; coolant flows from coolant supply line 201, first side coolant supply line 202a, first coolant supply manifold 203a, conduit 204a, first coolant supply branch line 205a, and conduit 206a to cooling sleeve 1. Coolant supply manifold 205a and conduit 206b flow to cooling sleeve 3; coolant flows from coolant supply line 201, first side coolant supply line 202a, first coolant supply manifold 203a, conduit 204b, second coolant supply manifold 205b and conduit 206c to cooling sleeve 5; coolant flows from coolant supply line 201, first side coolant supply line 202a, first coolant supply manifold 203a, conduit 204b, second coolant supply manifold 205b and conduit 206d to cooling sleeve 7.

[0040] For the cooling sleeves 9, 11, 13, and 15 on the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100, the following flow mechanism for coolant supply is implemented: coolant flows from coolant supply line 201, second side coolant supply line 202b, second coolant supply manifold 203b, conduit 204d, third coolant supply manifold 205d, and conduit 206h to cooling sleeve 9; coolant flows from coolant supply line 201, second side coolant supply line 202b, second coolant supply manifold 203b, conduit 204d, third coolant supply manifold 205d, and conduit 206h to cooling sleeve 9; Coolant supply manifold 205d and conduit 206g flow to cooling sleeve 11; coolant flows from coolant supply line 201, second side coolant supply line 202b, second coolant supply manifold 203b, conduit 204c, fourth coolant supply manifold 205c and conduit 206f to cooling sleeve 13; coolant flows from coolant supply line 201, second side coolant supply line 202d, second coolant supply manifold 203b, conduit 204c, fourth coolant supply manifold 205c and conduit 206e to cooling sleeve 15.

[0041] The coolant distribution system 200 utilizes cooling jacket pairs to supply and return coolant. For Figure 2 In the loop slurry reactor 100, cooling sleeves 1 to 16 can be divided into eight pairs. Each cooling sleeve in each pair is located only on either the first side 101 or the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100. Figure 2The cooling sleeve pairs include cooling sleeves 1 and 2, cooling sleeves 3 and 4, cooling sleeves 5 and 6, cooling sleeves 7 and 8, cooling sleeves 9 and 10, cooling sleeves 11 and 12, cooling sleeves 13 and 14, and cooling sleeves 15 and 16. Cooling sleeve pairs 1 / 2, 3 / 4, 5 / 6, and 7 / 8 are all located on the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100. Cooling sleeve pairs 9 / 10, 11 / 12, 13 / 14, and 15 / 16 are all located on the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100. Intermediate conduit 207a connects cooling sleeve 1 to cooling sleeve 2. Intermediate conduit 207b connects cooling sleeve 3 to cooling sleeve 4. Intermediate conduit 207c connects cooling sleeve 5 to cooling sleeve 6. Intermediate conduit 207d connects cooling sleeve 7 to cooling sleeve 8. Intermediate conduit 207e connects cooling sleeve 9 to cooling sleeve 10. Intermediate conduit 207f connects cooling sleeve 11 to cooling sleeve 12. Intermediate conduit 207g connects cooling sleeve 13 to cooling sleeve 14. Intermediate conduit 207h connects cooling sleeve 15 to cooling sleeve 16. All intermediate conduits 207a-d are located on the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100, and all intermediate conduits 207e-h are located on the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100. None of the intermediate conduits 207a-h pass through the loop of the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0042] Warm coolant flows from cooling jackets 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 through conduits and manifolds with a construction similar to supply conduits and manifolds.

[0043] Conduit 208a is connected to cooling sleeve 2 and to the first coolant return manifold 209a. Conduit 208b is connected to cooling sleeve 4 and to the first coolant return manifold 209a. Conduit 208c is connected to cooling sleeve 6 and to the second coolant return manifold 209b. Conduit 208d is connected to cooling sleeve 8 and to the second coolant return manifold 209b. The first coolant return manifold 209a and the second coolant return manifold 209b are both connected to the first coolant return header 211a via conduits 210a and 210b, respectively. The first coolant return header 211a is connected to the first side coolant return line 212a.

[0044] Conduit 208e is connected to cooling jacket 10 and to the third coolant return manifold 209c. Conduit 208f is connected to cooling jacket 12 and to the third coolant return manifold 209c. Conduit 208g is connected to cooling jacket 14 and to the fourth coolant return manifold 209d. Conduit 208h is connected to cooling jacket 16 and to the fourth coolant return manifold 209d. The third coolant return manifold 209c and the fourth coolant return manifold 209d are both connected to the second coolant return manifold 211b via conduits 210c and 210d, respectively. The second coolant return manifold 211b is connected to the second side coolant return line 212b.

[0045] The first side coolant return line 212a and the second side coolant return line 212b are combined to form the coolant return line 213 on the third side 103 near the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0046] For cooling sleeves 1, 3, 5, and 7 on the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100, the following flow mechanism for coolant return is implemented: warmed coolant flows from cooling sleeve 2 to conduit 208a, to the first coolant return manifold 209a, to conduit 210a, to the first coolant return header 211a, to the first side coolant return line 212a, and to coolant return line 213; warmed coolant flows from cooling sleeve 4 to conduit 208b, to the first coolant return manifold 209a, to conduit 210a, to the first coolant return header 211a, and to the first side Coolant returns to line 212a and flows to line 213; warmed coolant flows from cooling sleeve 6 to conduit 208c, to second coolant return manifold 209b, to conduit 210b, to first coolant return manifold 211a, to first side coolant return line 212a, and to coolant return line 213; and warmed coolant flows from cooling sleeve 8 to conduit 208d, to second coolant return manifold 209b, to conduit 210b, to first coolant return manifold 211a, to first side coolant return line 212a, and to coolant return line 213.

[0047] For the cooling sleeves 9, 11, 13, and 15 on the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100, the following flow mechanism for coolant return is implemented: warmed coolant flows from cooling sleeve 10 to conduit 208e, to the third coolant return manifold 209c, to conduit 210c, to the second coolant return manifold 211b, to the second side coolant return line 212b, and to coolant return line 213; warmed coolant flows from cooling sleeve 12 to conduit 208f, to the third coolant return manifold 209c, to conduit 210c, to the second coolant return manifold 211b, and to the second side The coolant returns to the surface coolant return line 212b and flows to the coolant return line 213; the warm coolant flows from the cooling sleeve 14 to the conduit 208g, to the fourth coolant return manifold 209d, to the conduit 210d, to the second coolant return manifold 211b, to the second side coolant return line 212b, and then to the coolant return line 213; and the warm coolant flows from the cooling sleeve 16 to the conduit 208h, to the fourth coolant return manifold 209d, to the conduit 210d, to the second coolant return manifold 211b, to the second side coolant return line 212b, and then to the coolant return line 213.

[0048] As from Figure 2 As can be seen, the coolant distribution system 200 is complex, with tiered manifolds (manifolds 203a-b and 211a-b, branch manifolds 205a-d and 209a-d) for coolant supply and return on each of the first side 101 and the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100. Due to the pipe length required to construct the tiered manifold structure, the volume of coolant required to circulate through all the manifolds and conduits is very large.

[0049] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates a method flow chart for a temperature control system 300 for a coolant, similar in construction to that previously used for smaller loop slurry reactors. The cooled coolant, such as..., is supplied from the loop slurry reactor. Figure 2The cooled coolant in the return line 213 flows into the temperature control system 300 and is divided into three lines 301, 302, and 303. That is, the coolant is divided into three parallel flow paths. Valve 304 in line 301, valve 305 in line 302, and valve 306 in line 303 control the coolant flow through the respective lines and flow paths. The actuation of each of valves 304, 305, and 306 is controlled by controller 330, which monitors the temperature of the reaction mixture in the loop slurry reactor 100 (e.g., via thermocouples strategically placed in the loop slurry reactor 100, the coolant distribution system 200, the temperature control system 300, or combinations thereof). The coolant in line 301 undergoes no heating or cooling except for any heat exchange that may occur under the ambient conditions of the facility. The coolant in line 302 enters the steam jet heater 310 for heating with steam from line 311, and the coolant in line 303 enters the heat exchanger 320 for cooling with the cooling medium that flows into the heat exchanger 320 via line 321 and exits the heat exchanger via line 322. Therefore, the temperature control system 300 allows the coolant to pass simultaneously through line 301, the steam jet heater 310, and the heat exchanger 320; and three valves 304, 305, and 306 are controlled in series to control the temperature of the coolant so that the bypass coolant in line 301 combines with the heated coolant in line 312 and the cooled coolant in line 323 to form a coolant supply line 201, which can flow to a loop slurry reactor, such as reactor 100.

[0050] exist Figure 3 In the temperature control system 300, approximately 15% to 20% by volume of coolant flows through the constant flow line 301 to maintain a constant flow of coolant to the reactor and to provide a continuous pressure drop in the coolant loop, which is formed by the coolant flow from the coolant supply line 201 through the loop slurry reactor 100 (e.g., coolant distribution system 200) and back to the coolant return line 213. The remaining 85% to 95% by volume of coolant is separated between lines 302 and 303 according to the control of valves 305 and 306. If it is determined that the coolant temperature is below a threshold or below the lower end of the operating range (e.g., reactor 100 is overcooled), then a larger portion of the remaining coolant may flow through the steam jet heater 310 instead of the heat exchanger 320; however, if it is determined that the coolant temperature is above a threshold or above the upper end of the threshold range (e.g., reactor 100 is undercooled), then a larger portion of the remaining coolant may flow through the heat exchanger 320 instead of the steam jet heater 310.

[0051] The use of three parallel flow paths can complicate coolant temperature control, especially during reactor start-up, shutdown, or failure.

[0052] Figures 4 to 5 The illustrations show coolant distribution systems 400 and 500, which simplify the coolant distribution configuration of the loop slurry reactor. Figures 6 to 7 Side views of coolant distribution systems 400 and 500 are shown respectively. Figure 8 The illustration shows a temperature control system 800 that simplifies coolant temperature control for loop slurry reactors. It is believed that the disclosed coolant distribution systems 400 and 500, as well as the coolant temperature control system 800, are suitable for large-scale loop slurry reactors and offer similar advantages for smaller-scale loop slurry reactors.

[0053] Figure 4 The diagram shows Figure 1 A top view of the vertical branch pipes 111 of the loop slurry reactor 100, which has cooling sleeves 1 to 16 placed around each vertical branch pipe in the loop slurry reactor 111, and has a coolant distribution system 400 according to the present disclosure. For clarity of the description of the coolant distribution system 400, the bends 112 of the loop slurry reactor 100 are shown in... Figure 2 Not shown in the image.

[0054] The coolant distribution system 400 may include a coolant supply manifold 401 extending along a first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100, a coolant return manifold 402 extending along a second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100, and coolant channels 410a-h, wherein each of the coolant channels 410a-h is configured to i) exchange heat with a pair of cooling sleeves of a vertical branch pipe 111, ii) receive coolant from the coolant supply manifold 401 on the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100, and iii) return coolant to the coolant return manifold 402 on the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0055] and Figure 2 The cooling sleeve pairs in the coolant distribution system 200 differ from those in the coolant distribution system 400, where each pair has one cooling sleeve located on a first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100 and another cooling sleeve located on a second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100. The cooling sleeve pairs in the coolant distribution system 400 are 1 / 16, 2 / 15, 3 / 14, 4 / 13, 5 / 12, 6 / 11, 7 / 10, and 8 / 9.

[0056] The coolant distribution system 400 utilizes either a countercurrent or concurrent coolant flow relative to the reaction mixture flow in the vertical branch pipe 111 in each of the cooling sleeves 1 to 16. The coolant flow is countercurrent relative to the reaction mixture flow in the corresponding vertical branch pipe 111 of coolant sleeves 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15; however, the coolant flow is concurrent relative to the reaction mixture flow in the corresponding vertical branch pipe 111 of coolant sleeves 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16. When this design allows for both countercurrent and concurrent coolant flows, the coolant distribution system 400 can have a single coolant manifold 401 located on a first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100, a single coolant return manifold 402 located on a second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100, and no manifolds are used.

[0057] Each coolant channel 410a-h includes an inlet conduit connected to the coolant supply manifold 401, a first cooling sleeve wrapped around at least a portion of one of the vertical branches 111 and connected to the inlet conduit, an intermediate conduit connected to the first cooling sleeve, a second cooling sleeve wrapped around at least a portion of another vertical branch 111 and connected to the intermediate conduit, and an outlet conduit connected to the second cooling sleeve and to the coolant return manifold 402. The coolant in each coolant channel 410a-h flows from the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100 to the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0058] For coolant passage 410a, inlet conduit 403a is connected to coolant supply manifold 401 and to first cooling sleeve 1, intermediate conduit 404a is connected to first cooling sleeve 1, second cooling sleeve 16 is connected to intermediate conduit 404a, and outlet conduit 405a is connected to second cooling sleeve 16 and to coolant return manifold 402.

[0059] For coolant passage 410b, inlet conduit 403b is connected to coolant supply manifold 401 and to cooling sleeve 2, intermediate conduit 404b is connected to first cooling sleeve 2, second cooling sleeve 15 is connected to intermediate conduit 404b, and outlet conduit 405b is connected to second cooling sleeve 15 and to coolant return manifold 402.

[0060] For coolant passage 410c, inlet conduit 403c is connected to coolant supply manifold 401 and to cooling sleeve 3, intermediate conduit 404c is connected to first cooling sleeve 3, second cooling sleeve 14 is connected to intermediate conduit 404c, and outlet conduit 405c is connected to second cooling sleeve 14 and to coolant return manifold 402.

[0061] For coolant passage 410d, inlet conduit 403d is connected to coolant supply manifold 401 and to cooling sleeve 4, intermediate conduit 404d is connected to first cooling sleeve 4, second cooling sleeve 13 is connected to intermediate conduit 404d, and outlet conduit 405d is connected to second cooling sleeve 13 and to coolant return manifold 402.

[0062] For coolant passage 410e, inlet conduit 403e is connected to coolant supply manifold 401 and to cooling sleeve 5, intermediate conduit 404e is connected to first cooling sleeve 5, second cooling sleeve 12 is connected to intermediate conduit 404e, and outlet conduit 405e is connected to second cooling sleeve 12 and to coolant return manifold 402.

[0063] For coolant passage 410f, inlet conduit 403f is connected to coolant supply manifold 401 and to cooling sleeve 6, intermediate conduit 404f is connected to first cooling sleeve 6, second cooling sleeve 11 is connected to intermediate conduit 404f, and outlet conduit 405f is connected to second cooling sleeve 11 and to coolant return manifold 402.

[0064] For coolant passage 410g, inlet conduit 403g is connected to coolant supply manifold 401 and to cooling sleeve 7, intermediate conduit 404g is connected to first cooling sleeve 7, second cooling sleeve 10 is connected to intermediate conduit 404g, and outlet conduit 405g is connected to second cooling sleeve 10 and to coolant return manifold 402.

[0065] For coolant passage 410h, inlet conduit 403h is connected to coolant supply manifold 401 and to cooling sleeve 8, intermediate conduit 404h is connected to first cooling sleeve 8, second cooling sleeve 9 is connected to intermediate conduit 404h, and outlet conduit 405h is connected to second cooling sleeve 9 and to coolant return manifold 402.

[0066] In several respects, the diameters of the inlet conduit 403a-h, the intermediate conduit 404a-h, and the outlet conduit 405a-h in each coolant passage 410a-h are approximately equal. In some respects, all inlet conduits 403a-h, intermediate conduits 404a-h, and outlet conduits 405a-h have the same diameter.

[0067] In several respects, the inlet conduit 403a-h and outlet conduit 405a-h of each coolant passage 410a-h are parallel to each other.

[0068] In several respects, the longitudinal axis of the inlet conduit 403a-h of each coolant passage 410a-h extends at an angle in the range of 1° to 179° relative to the longitudinal axis of the first coolant supply manifold 401; additionally, or alternatively, the longitudinal axis of the outlet conduit 405a-h of each coolant passage 410a-h extends at an angle in the range of 1° to 179° relative to the longitudinal axis of the first coolant return manifold 402.

[0069] Coolant supply line 420 is connected to coolant supply manifold 401. Coolant supply manifold 401 is the only supply manifold in coolant distribution system 400. Coolant return manifold 402 is connected to coolant return line 421. Coolant return manifold 402 is the only return manifold in coolant distribution system 400. Coolant supply line 420 is connected to coolant supply manifold 401 near the third side 103 of loop slurry reactor 100, while coolant return line 421 is connected to coolant return manifold 402 near the fourth side 104 of loop slurry reactor 100. Lines 420 and 421 are connected to manifolds 401 and 402 located on opposite sides 103 and 104 of loop slurry reactor 100. Figure 2 In contrast to the coolant distribution system 200, Figure 2 In the coolant distribution system 200, the coolant supply line 201 and the coolant return line 213 are connected only to the pipes located on the third side 103 of the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0070] Figure 5 The diagram shows Figure 1 A top view of the vertical branch pipes 111 of the loop slurry reactor 100, which has cooling sleeves 1 to 16 placed around each vertical branch pipe in the loop slurry reactor 111, and has a coolant distribution system 500 according to the present disclosure. For clarity of the description of the coolant distribution system 500, the bends 112 of the loop slurry reactor 100 are shown in... Figure 5 Not shown in the image.

[0071] The coolant distribution system 500 may include a first coolant supply manifold 501a extending along a first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100, a second coolant supply manifold 501b extending along a second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100, a first coolant return manifold 502a extending along the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100, a second coolant return manifold 502b extending along the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100, first coolant channels 510a-d, and second coolant channels 510e-h. Each of the first coolant channels 510a-d is configured to i) exchange heat with a pair of cooling sleeves of the vertical branch pipe 111, ii) receive coolant from the first coolant supply manifold 501a on the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100, and iii) return coolant to the first coolant return manifold 502a on the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100. Each of the second coolant channels 510e-h is configured to i) exchange heat with a pair of cooling sleeves on the vertical branch 111, ii) receive coolant from the second coolant supply manifold 501b on the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100, and iii) return coolant to the second coolant return manifold 502b on the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0072] and Figure 2 The cooling sleeve pairs in the coolant distribution system 200 differ from those in the coolant distribution system 500, which each has one cooling sleeve located on the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100 and the other cooling sleeve located on the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100. The cooling sleeve pairs in the coolant distribution system 500 are 1 / 16, 2 / 15, 3 / 14, 4 / 13, 5 / 12, 6 / 11, 7 / 10, and 8 / 9.

[0073] In this system, coolant flows only from the first side 101 to the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100 in all coolant channels 410a-h. Figure 4 In contrast to the 400 coolant distribution system, Figure 5In the coolant distribution system 500, coolant flows from the first side 101 to the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100 in coolant channels 510a-d; and coolant flows from the second side 102 to the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100 in coolant channels 510e-h. Therefore, the coolant distribution system 500 utilizes only a counter-current coolant flow relative to the reaction mixture flow in the vertical branch pipe 111 in the cooling sleeves 1 to 16. When only countercurrent coolant flow is used, the coolant distribution system 500 may have two coolant supply manifolds 501a and 501b (only one supply manifold 501a is located on the side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100, and only one supply manifold 501b is located on the side 102 of the loop slurry reactor) and two coolant return manifolds 502a and 502b (only one return manifold 502a is located on the side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100, and only one return manifold 502b is located on the side 101 of the loop slurry reactor).

[0074] Each coolant channel 510a-d includes an inlet conduit connected to a first coolant supply manifold 501a, a first cooling sleeve wrapped around at least a portion of one of the vertical branches 111 and connected to the inlet conduit, an intermediate conduit connected to the first cooling sleeve, a second cooling sleeve wrapped around at least a portion of another vertical branch 111 and connected to the intermediate conduit, and an outlet conduit connected to the second cooling sleeve and to the first coolant return manifold 502a. The coolant in each coolant channel 510a-d flows from the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100 to the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0075] Each coolant channel 510e-h includes an inlet conduit connected to a second coolant supply manifold 501b, a first cooling sleeve wrapped around at least a portion of one of the vertical branches 111 and connected to the inlet conduit, an intermediate conduit connected to the first cooling sleeve, a second cooling sleeve wrapped around at least a portion of another vertical branch 111 and connected to the intermediate conduit, and an outlet conduit connected to the second cooling sleeve and to the second coolant return manifold 502b. The coolant in each coolant channel 510e-h flows from the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100 to the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0076] For coolant passage 510a, inlet conduit 503a is connected to the first coolant supply manifold 501a and to the first cooling sleeve 1, intermediate conduit 504a is connected to the first cooling sleeve 1, second cooling sleeve 16 is connected to the intermediate conduit 504a, and outlet conduit 505a is connected to the second cooling sleeve 16 and to the first coolant return manifold 502a.

[0077] For coolant passage 510b, inlet conduit 503b is connected to the first coolant supply manifold 501a and to the cooling sleeve 3, intermediate conduit 504b is connected to the first cooling sleeve 3, second cooling sleeve 14 is connected to the intermediate conduit 504b, and outlet conduit 505b is connected to the second cooling sleeve 14 and to the first coolant return manifold 502a.

[0078] For coolant passage 510c, inlet conduit 503c is connected to the first coolant supply manifold 501a and to the cooling sleeve 5, intermediate conduit 504c is connected to the first cooling sleeve 5, second cooling sleeve 12 is connected to the intermediate conduit 504c, and outlet conduit 505c is connected to the second cooling sleeve 12 and to the first coolant return manifold 502a.

[0079] For coolant passage 510d, inlet conduit 503d is connected to the first coolant supply manifold 501a and to the cooling sleeve 7, intermediate conduit 504d is connected to the first cooling sleeve 7, second cooling sleeve 10 is connected to the intermediate conduit 504d, and outlet conduit 505d is connected to the second cooling sleeve 10 and to the first coolant return manifold 502a.

[0080] For coolant passage 510e, inlet conduit 503e is connected to the second coolant supply manifold 501b and to the cooling sleeve 15, intermediate conduit 504e is connected to the first cooling sleeve 15, the second cooling sleeve 2 is connected to the intermediate conduit 504e, and outlet conduit 505e is connected to the second cooling sleeve 2 and to the second coolant return manifold 502b.

[0081] For coolant passage 510f, inlet conduit 503f is connected to the second coolant supply manifold 501b and to the cooling sleeve 13, intermediate conduit 504f is connected to the first cooling sleeve 13, the second cooling sleeve 4 is connected to the intermediate conduit 504f, and outlet conduit 505f is connected to the second cooling sleeve 4 and to the second coolant return manifold 502b.

[0082] For coolant passage 510g, inlet conduit 503g is connected to the second coolant supply manifold 501b and to the cooling sleeve 11, intermediate conduit 504g is connected to the first cooling sleeve 11, the second cooling sleeve 6 is connected to the intermediate conduit 504g, and outlet conduit 505g is connected to the second cooling sleeve 6 and to the second coolant return manifold 502b.

[0083] For coolant passage 510h, inlet conduit 503h is connected to the second coolant supply manifold 501b and to the cooling sleeve 9, intermediate conduit 504h is connected to the first cooling sleeve 9, second cooling sleeve 8 is connected to the intermediate conduit 504h, and outlet conduit 505h is connected to the second cooling sleeve 8 and to the second coolant return manifold 502b.

[0084] In several respects, the diameters of the inlet conduit 503a-h, the intermediate conduit 504a-h, and the outlet conduit 505a-h in each coolant passage 510a-h are approximately equal. In some respects, all inlet conduits 503a-h, intermediate conduits 504a-h, and outlet conduits 505a-h have the same diameter.

[0085] In several respects, the inlet conduit 503a-h and outlet conduit 505a-h of each coolant passage 510a-h are parallel to each other.

[0086] In several aspects, the longitudinal axis of the inlet conduit 503a-d of each coolant passage 510a-d extends at an angle in the range of 1° to 179° relative to the longitudinal axis of the first coolant supply manifold 501a; additionally or alternatively, the longitudinal axis of the inlet conduit 503e-h of each coolant passage 510e-h extends at an angle in the range of 1° to 179° relative to the longitudinal axis of the second coolant supply manifold 501b; additionally or alternatively, the longitudinal axis of the outlet conduit 505a-d of each coolant passage 510a-d extends at an angle in the range of 1° to 179° relative to the longitudinal axis of the first coolant return manifold 502a; additionally or alternatively, the longitudinal axis of the outlet conduit 505e-h of each coolant passage 510e-h extends at an angle in the range of 1° to 179° relative to the longitudinal axis of the second coolant return manifold 502b.

[0087] Coolant supply line 420 connects to both the first coolant supply manifold 501a and the second coolant supply manifold 501b. Coolant supply manifolds 501a and 501b are the only supply manifolds in the coolant distribution system 500. First coolant return manifolds 502a and 502b are both connected to coolant return line 421. First coolant return manifolds 502a and 502b are the only return manifolds in the coolant distribution system 500. There are no branch manifolds in system 500. Coolant supply line 420 connects to the first coolant supply manifolds 501a and 501b near the third side 103 of the loop slurry reactor 100, while coolant return line 421 connects to the first coolant return manifolds 502a and 502b near the fourth side 104 of the loop slurry reactor 100. Connect lines 420 and 421 to manifolds 501a, 501b, 502a, and 502b located on opposite sides 103 and 104 of the loop slurry reactor 100. Figure 2 In contrast to the coolant distribution system 200, Figure 2 In the coolant distribution system 200, the coolant supply line 201 and the coolant return line 213 are connected only to the pipes located on the third side 103 of the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0088] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The manifolds in systems 400 and 500 have been described as extending along the first side 101 or the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0089] In several respects, the manifold “extending” or “alongside” the first side 101 or the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100 may i) be parallel to the side 101 or the side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100, ii) substantially parallel (e.g., differing from parallel by + / - 10°) to the side 101 or the side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100, or iii) form an angle in the range of 10° to 45° with the side 101 or the side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100. For example, the first side 101 and the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100, as depicted in the accompanying drawings, are linear such that when viewed from the third side 103 (see, for example...), Figures 6 to 7All vertical branches 111 of the loop slurry reactor 100 are aligned such that only two vertical branches 111 on the third side 103 are visible, while all other vertical branches 111 are behind the two vertical branches 111 on the third side 103. In this case, the manifold may extend along the first side 101 or the second side 102 such that the manifold is: i) parallel to the side 101 or the side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100, ii) substantially parallel (e.g., differing from parallel by + / - 10°) to the side 101 or the side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100, or iii) at an angle in the range of 10° to 45° to the side 101 or the side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0090] In other respects, a manifold "extending" or "along" the side 101 or side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100 may follow the contour of the side 101 or side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100. For example, the side 101 or side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100 may have a curvature or contour, and the manifold may be constructed to follow the curvature or contour of the side 101 or side 102. "Following the curvature" means that the manifold has the same curvature as the corresponding side of the loop slurry reactor 100 in which the manifold is located. Alternatively, "following the contour" may mean that the distance between the side of the loop slurry reactor 100 and the manifold is the same over the entire length of the side of the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0091] In another or alternative aspect, the manifold "extending" "along" or "right along" the side 101 or side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100 can satisfy the following equation:

[0092] 0≤ (X 2 +Y 2 ) 0.5 ≤Z (1)

[0093] Where X is the horizontal distance between any point on side 101 or side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100 and any point along the longitudinal axis of the coolant supply manifold or coolant return manifold on the corresponding side 101 or side 102, where Y is the vertical distance between the bottom of the loop slurry reactor 100 and the top of the coolant supply manifold or coolant return manifold, where Z is 12.2 feet when X and Y are measured in feet, or 3.72 meters when X and Y are measured in meters.

[0094] refer to Figure 6 Explain equation (1). Figure 6 The diagram shows the view from the third side 103 of the loop slurry reactor 100. Figure 4A side view of the coolant distribution system 400. The coolant supply manifold 401 can be seen located on the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100, and the coolant return manifold 402 can be seen located on the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100. Cooling sleeve 1 can be seen wrapping around one of the vertical branch pipes 111, and cooling sleeve 16 can be seen wrapping around another vertical branch pipe within the vertical branch pipes 111. Cooling sleeves 1 and 16 are... Figure 4 A pair of cooling sleeves in the coolant passage 410a shown in the figure.

[0095] The height H of the bottom 601 of the loop slurry reactor 100 above the ground G can be 3 feet to 10 feet (0.914 m to 3.048 m); alternatively, 3 feet to 9 feet (0.914 m to 2.74 m); alternatively, 3 feet to 8 feet (0.914 m to 2.44 m); alternatively, 3 feet to 7 feet (0.914 m to 2.13 m); alternatively, 4 feet to 6 feet (1.21 m to 1.83 m). In the context of manifold 401, X is the horizontal distance (in feet or meters) between the longitudinal axis 603a of manifold 401 and the side 101 of loop slurry reactor 100, and Y is the vertical distance (in feet or meters) between the top 602a of manifold 401 and the bottom 601 of loop slurry reactor 100. In the context of manifold 402, X is the horizontal distance (in feet or meters) between the longitudinal axis 603b of manifold 402 and the side 102 of loop slurry reactor 100, and Y is the vertical distance (in feet or meters) between the top 602b of manifold 402 and the bottom 601 of loop slurry reactor 100.

[0096] Although manifolds 401 and 402 are in Figure 6 The distance Y is shown as being close to the ground G, and is between the bottom of the loop slurry reactor 100 and the ground G. However, other embodiments envision that manifolds 401 and 402 can be raised above the ground G, for example, by 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 m above the bottom of the loop slurry reactor 100. In such embodiments, equation (1) can satisfy the raised manifold, and Y in those embodiments will be the distance between the bottom of the loop slurry reactor 100 and the top of the raised coolant supply manifold or the raised coolant return manifold.

[0097] Figure 6 It can be used to describe the coolant in Figure 4 The flow of coolant in the coolant passage 410a-h.

[0098] For coolant passage 410a, coolant flows through coolant supply manifold 401, through inlet conduit 403a (which connects to the top 602a of coolant supply manifold 401) to the bottom 1a of cooling sleeve 1, from the bottom 1a of cooling sleeve 1 upwards through cooling sleeve 1 to the top 1b of cooling sleeve 1, enters and flows through intermediate conduit 404a, enters the top 16b of cooling sleeve 16, from the top 16b downwards through cooling sleeve 16 to the bottom 16a, through outlet conduit 405a (which connects to the top 602b of coolant return manifold 402), and enters coolant return manifold 402. The coolant flow through coolant passages 410b-h is similar to the coolant flow described for coolant passage 410a.

[0099] Equation (1) can also be referenced Figure 7 explain. Figure 7 The diagram shows the view from the third side 103 of the loop slurry reactor 100. Figure 5 A side view of the coolant distribution system 500. Coolant supply manifold 501a and coolant return manifold 502b can be seen located on the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100, and coolant supply manifold 501b and coolant return manifold 502a can be seen located on the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100. Cooling sleeve 1 can be seen wrapping around one of the vertical branch pipes 111, and cooling sleeve 16 can be seen wrapping around another vertical branch pipe in the vertical branch pipe 111. Cooling sleeves 1 and 16 are... Figure 5 The diagram shows a pair of cooling sleeves in coolant passage 510a. Following cooling sleeves 1 and 16 are cooling sleeves 2 and 15, which are... Figure 5 A pair of cooling sleeves in the coolant passage 510e shown in the figure.

[0100] The bottom 601 of the loop slurry reactor 100 is higher than the ground level G by a height H, such as Figure 6As described above. For manifold 501a, X is the horizontal distance (in feet or meters) between the longitudinal axis 703a of manifold 501a and the side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100, and Y is the vertical distance (in feet or meters) between the top 702a of manifold 501a and the bottom 601 of the loop slurry reactor 100. For manifold 501b, X is the horizontal distance (in feet or meters) between the longitudinal axis 703b of manifold 501b and the side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100, and Y is the vertical distance (in feet or meters) between the top 702b of manifold 501b and the bottom 601 of the loop slurry reactor 100. For manifold 502a, X is the horizontal distance (in feet or meters) between the longitudinal axis 703d of manifold 502a and the side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100, and Y is the vertical distance (in feet or meters) between the top 702d of manifold 502a and the bottom 601 of the loop slurry reactor 100. For manifold 502b, X is the horizontal distance (in feet or meters) between the longitudinal axis 703c of manifold 502d and the side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100, and Y is the vertical distance (in feet or meters) between the top 702c of manifold 502b and the bottom 601 of the loop slurry reactor 100. Equation (1) is satisfied by finding values ​​of X and Y that are greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to Z (the value of Z was previously described).

[0101] Figure 7 It can be used to describe the coolant in Figure 5 The flow of coolant in the ah channel.

[0102] For coolant passage 510a, coolant flows through the first coolant supply manifold 501a, through the inlet conduit 503a (which is connected to the top 702a of the first coolant supply manifold 501a) to the bottom 1a of the cooling sleeve 1, from the bottom 1a of the cooling sleeve 1 upwards through the cooling sleeve 1 to the top 1b of the cooling sleeve 1, enters and flows through the intermediate conduit 504a, enters the top 16b of the cooling sleeve 16, from the top 16b downwards through the cooling sleeve 16 to the bottom 16a, flows through the outlet conduit 505a (which is connected to the top 702d of the coolant return manifold 502a), and enters the first coolant return manifold 502a. The coolant flow through coolant passages 510b-d is similar to the coolant flow described for coolant passage 510a.

[0103] For coolant passage 510e (it is in Figure 7 In the view shown (behind 510a), coolant flows through the second coolant supply manifold 501b, through the inlet conduit 503e (which connects to the top 702b of the second coolant supply manifold 501b), and reaches the bottom of the cooling sleeve 15 (see [reference]). Figure 5The water flows upward from the bottom of the cooling jacket 15 to the top, enters and passes through the intermediate conduit 504e (see...). Figure 5 ), entering the top of cooling sleeve 2 (see Figure 5 The coolant flows downward from the top through the cooling sleeve 2 to the bottom, through the outlet conduit 505e (which connects to the top 702c of the coolant return manifold 502b), and into the second coolant return manifold 502b. The coolant flow through the coolant passages 510f-h is similar to the coolant flow described for the coolant passage 510e.

[0104] The diameter values ​​of the inlet catheters 403a-h and 503a-h, the intermediate catheters 404a-h and 504a-h, and the outlet catheters 405a-h and 505a-h can be independently selected from the range of 12 to 20 inches; alternatively, from 14 to 18 inches; alternatively, 16 inches.

[0105] The diameter values ​​for manifolds 401, 402, 501a, 501b, 502a, and 502b can be independently selected from the range of 36 to 48 inches; alternatively, 40 to 44 inches; alternatively, approximately 42 inches.

[0106] In several respects, the length of the pipes / conduits in the coolant distribution system 400 or 500 relative to the polyolefin output capacity of the loop slurry reactor 100 can be less than 400 m / 1,000 kTA, 300 m / 1,000 kTA, 200 m / 1,000 kTA, or 100 m / 1,000 kTA; alternatively, it can be greater than 10 m / 1,000 kTA, 20 m / 1,000 kTA, or 30 m / 1,000 kTA. 40m / 1,000kTA or 50m / 1,000kTA; alternatively, it may be greater than 10m / 1,000kTA, 20m / 1,000kTA, 30m / 1,000kTA, 40m / 1,000kTA or 50m / 1,000kTA and less than 400m / 1,000kTA, 300m / 1,000kTA, 200m / 1,000kTA or 100m / 1,000kTA.

[0107] In several respects, the volume of coolant flowing in the coolant distribution system 400 or 500 relative to the polyolefin output capacity of the loop slurry reactor 100 can be less than 90 m³. 3 / 1,000kTA, 80m 3 / 1,000kTA or 70m 3 / 1,000kTA; alternatively, greater than 10m 3 / 1,000kTA, 20m 3 / 1,000kTA, 30m3 / 1,000kTA, 40m 3 / 1,000kTA or 50m 3 / 1,000kTA; alternatively, greater than 10m 3 / 1,000kTA, 20m 3 / 1,000kTA, 30m 3 / 1,000kTA, 40m 3 / 1,000kTA or 50m 3 / 1,000kTA and less than 90m 3 / 1,000kTA, 80m 3 / 1,000kTA or 70m 3 / 1,000kTA.

[0108] In several respects, the length of the pipes / conduits in the coolant distribution system 400 or 500, having a construction according to this disclosure (e.g., without a manifold), is less than 60%, 50%, 40%, or 30% of the length of the pipes / conduits in the coolant distribution system 200 (e.g., with a manifold). The shorter pipe length reduces the financial cost of installing a new cooling system and provides a lower pressure drop across the coolant loop due to the shorter coolant flow path.

[0109] In several respects, the volume of the coolant distribution system 400 or 500 having a configuration according to this disclosure (e.g., without a manifold) is less than 85%, 84%, 83%, 82%, 81%, 80%, 79%, 78%, or 77% of the volume of the coolant distribution system 200 (e.g., with a manifold). The smaller the volume, the less coolant is required in system 400 or system 500.

[0110] In several respects, System 400 or System 500 does not contain 90-degree bends in conduits or pipes. Using fewer piping assemblies reduces the financial cost of installing a new cooling system and provides lower pressure drop across the coolant loop, resulting in lower energy consumption and operating costs.

[0111] In several respects, the pressure drop across the coolant distribution system 400 or 500 (e.g., from the inlet of the coolant supply manifold to the outlet of the coolant return manifold) is less than 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 bar (gauge pressure) and greater than 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 bar (gauge pressure). The lower pressure drop results in lower power requirements for one or more pumps that circulate the coolant through the coolant distribution system.

[0112] A further advantage of the coolant distribution systems 400 and 500 described herein is that they achieve the aforementioned benefits and advantages when used in combination with global-scale loop slurry reactors as well as when used with smaller loop slurry reactors. This is because, compared to conventionally designed coolant distribution systems on the same reactor, this configuration uses fewer pipes / ducts, a smaller volume of coolant, and has a lower pressure drop, regardless of reactor size. The lower volume of coolant in the system provides a shorter reaction time in the reactor temperature control system and results in more robust reactor temperature control. In other words, conventionally designed coolant distribution systems, such as Figure 2 The system 200 shown herein has the disadvantages described herein for larger, global-scale polymerization reactors; while the coolant distribution systems 400 and 500 described herein provide the benefits and advantages described herein across the entire reactor size range, compared to the use of coolant distribution systems in conventional designs applied to reactors of a given size.

[0113] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating a method of a coolant temperature control system 800 according to the present disclosure is shown. The coolant temperature control system 800 may include a coolant return conduit 213 / 421 connected to a first plurality of cooling sleeves of a loop slurry reactor (examples of cooling sleeves and loop slurry reactors are discussed below); a heat exchanger 810 connected to the coolant return conduit 213 / 421 and configured to cool warmed coolant received from the coolant return conduit 213 / 421 to form cooled coolant; and a steam heater 820 connected to the heat exchanger 810 and configured to i) add The first plurality of cooling conduits are fluidly connected to the second plurality of cooling conduits, wherein the heat exchanger 810 and the steam heater 820 are fluidly connected to each other in series rather than in parallel with respect to the flow direction of the first coolant in the system 800.

[0114] The loop slurry reactor in the coolant temperature control system 800 can be the loop slurry reactor 100 discussed herein. See also Figure 2 The first plurality of cooling sleeves connected to the coolant temperature control system 800 may be cooling sleeves 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16, and the second plurality of cooling sleeves may be cooling sleeves 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15. See also Figure 4The first plurality of cooling sleeves connected to the coolant control system 800 may be cooling sleeves 9 to 16, and the second plurality of cooling sleeves may be cooling sleeves 1 to 8. See also Figure 5 The first plurality of cooling sleeves connected to the coolant temperature control system 800 may be cooling sleeves 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16, and the second plurality of cooling sleeves may be cooling sleeves 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15.

[0115] As from Figure 8 As can be seen, the steam heater 820 is downstream of the heat exchanger 810, relative to the flow direction of the coolant controlled by the coolant temperature control system 800. The warmed coolant in conduit 213 / 421, the cooled coolant in conduit 813, and the temperature-regulated coolant in conduit 201 / 420 flow outside the loop slurry reactor 100 in a single coolant flow path containing the heat exchanger 810 and the steam heater 820.

[0116] The heat exchanger 810 can be implemented as one or more heat exchange zones connected in series and / or parallel. These one or more heat exchange zones can be implemented using any configuration of heat exchangers known in the art (such as shell-and-tube configuration, plate configuration, finned configuration, or any combination thereof) by means of this disclosure. Generally, the heat exchanger 810 can have a "first side" fluidly isolated from the "second side". Structures within the heat exchanger 810 (such as tubes, plates, or baffles) separate the "first side" from the "second side" fluids, such that heat exchange occurs between the reactor coolant on the first side and the second coolant on the second side via this structure. The warmed coolant in the system 800 (also referred to as the first coolant or reactor coolant) is received in the heat exchanger 810 via return lines 213 / 431 (also referred to as the first coolant inlet conduit) on the first side of the heat exchanger 810 and discharged via the first coolant outlet conduit 813 on the first side of the heat exchanger 810. The second coolant used by the heat exchanger 810 to cool the first coolant is received in the heat exchanger 810 via a second coolant inlet conduit 811 on a second side of the heat exchanger 810, and discharged from the heat exchanger 810 via a second coolant outlet conduit 812 on a second side of the heat exchanger 810. The second coolant can be implemented as facility cooling water, which is readily available in olefin polymerization facilities.

[0117] A second coolant inlet conduit 811 containing a second coolant may be connected to an inlet on a second side of heat exchanger 810 and is configured to supply the second coolant to the second side of heat exchanger 810. A second coolant outlet conduit 812 may be connected to an outlet of heat exchanger 810 and is configured to return the warmed second coolant to a second coolant supply source (e.g., a tank, reservoir, or other process in the facility) from which the second coolant is obtained. Heat exchanger 810 is configured to cool the warmed first coolant received from coolant return line 213 / 421 within the first side of heat exchanger 810 and to generate cooled first coolant flowing in conduit 813 connected to the outlet on the first side of heat exchanger 810. Generally, the temperature of the first coolant in line 213 / 421 is higher than the temperature of the first coolant in conduit 813. Generally, the temperature of the second coolant in conduit 811 is lower than the temperature of the second coolant in conduit 812.

[0118] The cooled first coolant flows through conduit 813 to steam heater 820. Steam heater 820 can be implemented as any heater configured to use steam as a heat source to heat the cooled first coolant. For example, steam heater 820 can be implemented as a steam jet heater configured to directly inject steam into a fluid flowing therethrough to heat the fluid. Such a configuration of steam heater 820 is also commercially referred to as a direct steam jet heater. Alternatively, steam heater 820 can also be implemented as a heat exchanger having one or more heat exchange zones connected in series and / or parallel. These one or more heat exchange zones can be implemented using any configuration of heat exchangers known in the art (such as shell-and-tube configuration, plate configuration, finned configuration, or any combination thereof) by means of this disclosure. Generally, steam heater 820 implemented as a heat exchanger can have a "first side" fluidly isolated from a "second side". Structures within the heat exchanger (such as tubes, plates, or baffles) separate the fluids on the "first side" and the "second side" to allow heat exchange between the reactor coolant on the first side and the second coolant on the second side via these structures. Steam on one side of the steam heater 820 can be used to heat the coolant on the other side of the steam heater 820 without mixing the heat-supplying steam with the coolant.

[0119] Steam conduit 821 is connected to steam heater 820 and configured to supply steam to steam heater 820. Conduit 821 includes valve 822 configured to be actuated within a range from 0% to 100% open to allow steam flow into steam heater 820, block steam flow into steam heater 820, increase steam flow into steam heater 820, decrease steam flow into steam heater 820, or combinations thereof. Valve 822 is coupled to control device 830.

[0120] Control device 830 is configured to control the steam flow in conduit 821 via actuation of valve 822, thereby controlling the injection of steam into steam heater 820. Control device 830 can be implemented as one or more computers having a processor, memory, and instructions stored in the memory that are executed by the processor to perform the functions of control device 830 as described herein. Control device 830 can be a standalone or integrated programmable logic controller (PLC) within a distributed control system (DCS). The instructions stored in control device 830 can be programmed in any language and with any architecture, including neural network architectures.

[0121] The actuation of valve 822 by control device 830 may be based on a comparison of the temperature of the cooled coolant in conduit 813 with a threshold or setpoint value, a comparison of the temperature of the regulated coolant in coolant supply lines 201 / 420 with a threshold or setpoint value, a comparison of the temperature of loop slurry reactor 100 with a set temperature operating range and / or maximum operating temperature, or a combination thereof.

[0122] The temperature of the cooled coolant can be measured by system 800 using a sensor 814 (e.g., a thermocouple) placed in conduit 813, which is connected to control device 830. The temperature of the temperature-regulated coolant can be measured by system 800 using a sensor 815 (e.g., a thermocouple) placed in coolant supply lines 201 / 420, which is connected to control device 830. The temperature of the loop slurry reactor 100 can be measured by system 800 using one or more sensors 816a-n placed in the loop slurry reactor 100, each of which is connected to control device 830.

[0123] Sensor 814 is configured to provide a signal to control device 830 representing the temperature of the cooled coolant in conduit 813, sensor 815 is configured to provide a signal to control device 830 representing the temperature of the regulated coolant in lines 201 / 420, and one or more sensors 816a-n are configured to provide a signal to control device 830 representing the temperature of the reaction mixture in loop slurry reactor 100. Control device 830 may be configured to convert the signals into temperature values, and then control device 830 may compare the temperature values ​​with threshold or setpoint values ​​(or operating ranges, such as in the case of reactor temperature) programmed in control device 830.

[0124] During cooling operation, if the temperature of the cooled first coolant in conduit 813 falls below a first threshold or first setpoint and / or if the temperature of the loop slurry reactor 100 falls below a second threshold or second setpoint or drops too rapidly, control device 830 may be configured to actuate valve 822 to allow or increase the flow of steam in conduit 821 to steam heater 820. This may occur, for example, in cases of reactor overcooling, and preventing the loop slurry reactor 100 from dropping below the threshold temperature can prevent the generation of substandard polyolefins. Steam flow may be maintained until sensor 815 in lines 201 / 420 provides control device 830 with a signal that the temperature of the regulated coolant is equal to or higher than a third threshold or third setpoint, and / or one or more sensors 816a-n provide control device 830 with a signal that the temperature of the loop slurry reactor 100 is equal to or higher than a fourth threshold or fourth setpoint for the reactor temperature. Once the second threshold and / or the fourth threshold or one or more setpoint values ​​are reached, the control device 830 can be configured to actuate the valve 822 to reduce (or stop, interrupt or prohibit) the flow of steam in the conduit 821 to the steam heater 820.

[0125] If the temperature of the cooled coolant is above the fifth threshold or fifth setpoint and / or the loop slurry reactor 100 is above the sixth threshold or sixth setpoint, the control device 830 can be configured to reduce or prohibit the flow of steam in the conduit 821 to the steam heater 820. This may occur in cases of insufficient reactor cooling, and preventing the loop slurry reactor 100 from exceeding a specific temperature (i.e., the sixth threshold temperature or potentially higher) can prevent polyolefin products from melting and adhering to the walls of the reactor or downstream equipment, leading to scaling or blockage. Steam flow can be maintained until sensor 815 and / or one or more sensors 816a-n send a signal to the control device 830 that the temperature of the regulated coolant is equal to or below the seventh threshold or seventh setpoint and / or the loop slurry reactor 100 is equal to or below the eighth threshold or eighth setpoint. Once the seventh threshold and / or the eighth threshold or setpoint value is reached, the control device 830 can be configured to actuate the valve 822 to open and allow steam to flow to the steam heater 820, or to open it further to increase the flow of steam to the steam heater 820.

[0126] The first threshold to the fourth threshold and the first setpoint value to the fourth setpoint value are generally lower than the fifth threshold to the eighth threshold and the fifth setpoint value to the eighth setpoint value.

[0127] This disclosure envisions a temperature control system 800 that can be used to heat the loop slurry reactor 100 during reactor start-up. In these respects, “start-up” of the loop slurry reactor 100 generally involves filling the loop slurry reactor 100 with a liquid (e.g., propylene for propylene polymerization or isobutane for ethylene polymerization). The liquid is then circulated through the loop and heated until the desired polymerization temperature or a minimum threshold temperature for polymerization is reached, for example, a temperature in the range of 80°C to 105°C. Reaction components (e.g., monomers, catalysts, co-catalysts, electron donors, or combinations thereof) are then added to the heated liquid in the loop slurry reactor 100 to form a reaction mixture and to initiate a polymerization reaction at the desired temperature. A temperature-regulated coolant can serve as a heating medium for heating the liquid in the reactor during start-up, and a steam heater 820 can inject steam to provide heat to the loop slurry reactor 100 via a cooling jacket (referred to as a cooling jacket because its primary function is to cool the loop slurry reactor 100 during the exothermic polymerization reaction). During heated operation, such as during reactor start-up, one or more sensors 816a-n can be configured to provide a signal to the control unit 830 representing the temperature of the reaction mixture in the loop slurry reactor 100, and sensor 815 can be configured to provide a signal to the control unit 830 representing the temperature of the temperature-regulated coolant in lines 201 / 420. The control unit 830 can be configured to convert the signal into a temperature value and then compare the temperature value with a threshold or setpoint value programmed in the control unit 830. The control device 830 may be configured to actuate the valve 822 to the open position or, if the valve 822 is already open to a certain extent, to a further open position, thereby allowing steam to flow into the first coolant so that the temperature in the line 201 / 420 is sufficient to heat the loop slurry reactor 100 until a threshold temperature value is reached and one or more sensors 816a-n in the loop slurry reactor 100 detect the threshold temperature value.

[0128] In several respects, the control of valve 822 is achieved by system 800 utilizing the constant flow of a second coolant on the second side of heat exchanger 810, making valve 822 the only valve in system 800 used to control the temperature of the first coolant in lines 213 / 421, 813, and 201 / 420. Coolant temperature control is achieved by using... Figure 3 The three valves shown, 304, 305 and 306, are simplified to use a single valve, 822.

[0129] By connecting heat exchanger 810 to coolant return line 213 / 421, system 800 is envisioned as the sole temperature control system for cooling / controlling the temperature of the reactor coolant, such that all heated reactor coolant flows from the first plurality of cooling jackets to heat exchanger 810 in system 800 (i.e., the simplification of system 800 relative to system 300 is not sacrificed by using multiple systems 800 in series or parallel for the same reactor).

[0130] This document also discloses a method for distributing coolant. This method is described with reference to components of systems 400 and 500 disclosed herein. A forward slash “ / ” may be used to separate the reference numerals for system 400 to the left of the slash from those for system 500 to the right of the slash. For example, a reference to “first cooling sleeve 1-8 / 1, 3, 5, 7” means that the first cooling sleeve of the feature under discussion could be… Figure 4 Any cooling sleeve 1 to cooling sleeve 8 in system 400 or Figure 5 Any cooling sleeve 1, 3, 5 or 7 in System 500.

[0131] A coolant distribution method is performed to cool a plurality of vertical branches 111 in a loop slurry reactor 100, the loop slurry reactor 100 having a first side 101 opposite to a second side 102 and a third side 103 opposite to a fourth side 104, wherein the first side 101 and the second side 102 are perpendicular to the third side 103 and the fourth side 104.

[0132] The method may include allowing coolant to flow into a first coolant supply manifold 401 / 501a, which extends along a first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100; allowing coolant to flow out from a first coolant return manifold 402 / 502a, which extends along a second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100; and allowing coolant to flow from the first coolant supply manifold 401 / 501a through a first plurality of coolant channels 410a-h / 510a-d to a first coolant... Coolant return manifold 402 / 502a; wherein each of the first plurality of coolant channels 410a-h / 510a-h is configured to i) exchange heat with a first pair of vertical branches among the plurality of vertical branches 100, ii) receive coolant from a first coolant supply manifold 401 / 501a on a first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100, and iii) return coolant to the first coolant return manifold 402 / 502a on a second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0133] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, the first coolant supply manifold 401 / 501a is the only coolant supply manifold on the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100, and the first coolant return manifold 402 / 502a is the only coolant return manifold on the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100. In a further aspect, in the coolant distribution system 400, the first coolant supply manifold 401 is the only coolant supply manifold, and the first coolant return manifold 402 is the only coolant return manifold.

[0134] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, coolant flows through the third side 103 of the loop slurry reactor 100 to the first coolant supply manifold 401 / 501a, and coolant flows from the first coolant return manifold 402 / 502a in a direction away from the fourth side 104 of the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0135] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, each of the first plurality of coolant channels 410a-h / 510a-d includes: an inlet conduit 403a-h / 503a-d connected to a first coolant supply manifold 401 / 501a; first cooling sleeves 1-8 / 1, 3, 5, 7, which wrap around at least a portion of one of the first pair of vertical branches 111, wherein the first cooling sleeves 1-8 / 1, 3, 5, 7 are connected to the inlet conduit 403a-h / 503a-d; and intermediate conduits 404a-h / 504a-d. The intermediate conduit is connected to the first cooling sleeves 1-8 / 1, 3, 5, 7; the second cooling sleeves 16-9 / 16, 14, 12, 10, which wrap around at least a portion of another vertical branch in the first pair of vertical branches among the plurality of vertical branches 111, wherein the second cooling sleeves 16-9 / 16, 14, 12, 10 are connected to the intermediate conduit 404a-h / 504a-d; and the outlet conduit 405a-h / 505a-d, which is connected to the second cooling sleeves 16-9 / 16, 14, 12, 10 and the first coolant return manifold 402 / 502a.

[0136] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, causing coolant to flow from the first coolant supply manifold 401 / 501a through the first plurality of coolant channels 410a-h / 510a-d to the first coolant return manifold 402 / 502a includes: causing coolant to flow from the first coolant supply manifold 401 / 501a to the inlet conduit 403a-h / 503a-d; causing coolant to flow through the inlet conduit 403a-h / 503a-d to reach the first cooling sleeves 1-8 / 1, 3, 5, 7; causing coolant to flow through the first... Cooling sleeves 1-8 / 1, 3, 5, 7 reach the intermediate conduit 404a-h / 504a-d; allowing coolant to flow through the intermediate conduit 404a-h / 504a-d to reach the second cooling sleeves 16-9 / 16, 14, 12, 10; allowing coolant to flow through the second cooling sleeves 16-9 / 16, 14, 12, 10 to reach the outlet conduit 405a-h / 505a-d; and allowing coolant to flow from the outlet conduit 405a-h / 505a-d to the first coolant return manifold 402 / 502a.

[0137] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, coolant flows from the bottom of the first cooling sleeves 1-8 / 1, 3, 5, 7 to the top of the first cooling sleeves 1-8 / 1, 3, 5, 7, and coolant flows from the top of the second cooling sleeves 16-9 / 16, 14, 12, 10 to the bottom of the second cooling sleeves 16-9 / 16, 14, 12, 10.

[0138] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, the diameters of the inlet conduit 403a-h / 503a-d, the intermediate conduit 404a-h / 504a-d, and the outlet conduit 405a-h / 505a-d of each of the first plurality of coolant channels 410a-h / 510a-d are approximately equal.

[0139] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, the inlet conduit 403a-h / 503a-d and the outlet conduit 405a-h / 505a-d of each of the first plurality of coolant channels 410a-h / 510a-d are parallel to each other.

[0140] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, the longitudinal axis of the inlet conduit 403a-h / 503a-d of each of the first plurality of coolant channels 410a-h / 510a-d extends at an angle in the range of 1° to 179° relative to the longitudinal axis of the first coolant supply manifold 401 / 501a, and the longitudinal axis of the outlet conduit 405a-h / 505a-d of each of the first plurality of coolant channels 410a-h / 510a-d extends at an angle in the range of 1° to 179° relative to the longitudinal axis of the first coolant return manifold 402 / 502a.

[0141] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, through the first cooling sleeve of each coolant channel in the first plurality of coolant channels 410a-h ( Figure 4 The first cooling sleeve (1-8) and the second cooling sleeve ( Figure 4 The coolant flow of the sleeve 16-9 is parallel to the reaction mixture flow of the multiple vertical branches 111 of the loop slurry reactor 100. Figure 4 (Casings 2, 4, 6, 8) or countercurrent ( Figure 4 (Casings 1, 3, 5, 7). For example, in Figure 4 In the method used in system 400, the coolant flow through the first cooling sleeves 2, 4, 6, 8 and the second cooling sleeves 15, 13, 11, 9 of coolant channels 410b, d, f, h is parallel to the reaction mixture flow in the plurality of vertical branches 111 of the loop slurry reactor 100; and the coolant flow through the first cooling sleeves 1, 3, 5, 7 and the second cooling sleeves 16, 14, 12, 10 of coolant channels 410a, c, e, g is countercurrent to the reaction mixture flow in the plurality of vertical branches 111 of the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0142] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, through the first cooling sleeve of each coolant channel in the first plurality of coolant channels 510a-d ( Figure 5 1, 3, 5, 7) and the second cooling jacket ( Figure 5 The flow of coolant (16, 14, 12, 10) is only countercurrent relative to the flow of reaction mixture in the multiple vertical branches 111 of the loop slurry reactor 100, which is wrapped by sleeves 1, 3, 5, 7, 16, 14, 12, 10.

[0143] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, the coolant flow through the first and second cooling sleeves of each of the first plurality of coolant channels is only parallel to the reaction mixture flow in the plurality of vertical branches of the loop slurry reactor.

[0144] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, coolant is allowed to flow to a second coolant supply manifold 501b, which extends along the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100; coolant is allowed to flow out from a second coolant return manifold 502b, which extends along the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100; and coolant is allowed to flow from the second coolant supply manifold 501b to the second coolant return manifold 502b via a second plurality of coolant channels 510e-h. Each of the second plurality of coolant channels 510e-h is configured to i) exchange heat with a second pair of vertical branches among a plurality of vertical branches 111, ii) receive coolant from the second coolant supply manifold 501b on the second side 102 of the loop slurry reactor 100, and iii) return coolant to the second coolant return manifold 502b on the first side 101 of the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0145] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, coolant flows to the second coolant supply manifold 501b through proximity to the third side 103 of the loop slurry reactor 100, and coolant flows from the second coolant return manifold 502b in a direction away from the fourth side 104 of the loop slurry reactor 100.

[0146] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, each of the second plurality of coolant channels 510e-h includes an inlet conduit 503e-h connected to a second coolant supply manifold 501b; first cooling sleeves 15, 13, 11, 9, which wrap around at least a portion of one of the second pair of vertical branches in the plurality of vertical branches 111, wherein the first cooling sleeves 15, 13, 11, 9 are connected to the inlet conduit 503e-h; an intermediate conduit 504e-h connected to the first cooling sleeves 15, 13, 11, 9; second cooling sleeves 2, 4, 6, 8, which wrap around at least a portion of the other of the second pair of vertical branches in the plurality of vertical branches 111, wherein the second cooling sleeves 2, 4, 6, 8 are connected to the intermediate conduit 504e-h; and an outlet conduit 505e-h connected to the second cooling sleeves 2, 4, 6, 8 and connected to the first coolant return manifold 502b.

[0147] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, the diameters of the inlet conduit 503e-h, the intermediate conduit 504e-h, and the outlet conduit 505e-h of each coolant channel in the second plurality of coolant channels 510e-h are approximately equal.

[0148] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, each of the inlet conduit 503e-h and outlet conduit 505e-h of each of the second plurality of coolant channels 510e-h is parallel to each other.

[0149] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, the longitudinal axis of the inlet conduit 503e-h of each of the second plurality of coolant channels 510e-h extends at an angle in the range of 1° to 179° relative to the longitudinal axis of the second coolant supply manifold 501b, and the longitudinal axis of the outlet conduit 505e-h extends at an angle in the range of 1° to 179° relative to the longitudinal axis of the second coolant return manifold 502b.

[0150] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, causing coolant to flow from the second coolant supply manifold 501b through a second plurality of coolant channels 510e-h to the second coolant return manifold 502b includes: causing coolant to flow from the second coolant supply manifold 501b to an inlet conduit 503e-h; causing coolant to flow through the inlet conduit 503e-h to first cooling sleeves 15, 13, 11, 9; causing coolant to flow through the first cooling sleeves 15, 13, 11, 9 to an intermediate conduit 504e-h; causing coolant to flow through the intermediate conduit 504e-h to second cooling sleeves 2, 4, 6, 8; causing coolant to flow through the second cooling sleeves 2, 4, 6, 8 to an outlet conduit 505e-h; and causing coolant to flow from the outlet conduit 505e-h to the second coolant return manifold 502b.

[0151] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, coolant flows from the bottom of the first cooling sleeves 15, 13, 11, 9 to the top of the first cooling sleeves 15, 13, 11, 9, and wherein coolant flows from the top of the second cooling sleeves 2, 4, 6, 8 to the bottom of the second cooling sleeves 2, 4, 6, 8.

[0152] In several aspects of the coolant distribution method, the coolant flow through the first cooling sleeves 15, 13, 11, 9 and the second cooling sleeves 2, 4, 6, 8 of each of the second plurality of coolant channels 510e-h is only countercurrent to the reaction mixture flow in the plurality of vertical branches 111 of the loop slurry reactor 100 enclosed by the sleeves 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15.

[0153] A coolant temperature control method for controlling the temperature of a coolant is also disclosed. This temperature control method may include allowing temperature-regulated coolant to flow through a first plurality of cooling jackets (e.g., Figure 4 Sleeves 1-8 or Figure 5 The cooling coils (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15) flow through the second or more cooling coils (e.g., Figure 4The sleeve 9-16 or Figure 5 The sleeves 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 in the loop slurry reactor 100 are arranged to form a heated coolant, wherein the first plurality of cooling sleeves and the second plurality of cooling sleeves are placed around the plurality of vertical branches 111 of the loop slurry reactor 100; the heated coolant is allowed to flow from the second plurality of cooling sleeves to the heat exchanger 810; the heated coolant in the heat exchanger 810 is cooled to form a cooled coolant; the cooled coolant is passed through the steam heater 820 to form a temperature-regulated coolant; and the temperature-regulated coolant is allowed to flow to the first plurality of cooling sleeves, wherein the heat exchanger 810 and the steam heater 820 are fluidly connected in series rather than in parallel with respect to the flow direction of the first coolant through the heat exchanger 810 and the steam heater 820.

[0154] In several aspects of the coolant temperature control method, the steam heater 820 is downstream of the heat exchanger 810 relative to the flow direction of the coolant through the heat exchanger 810 and the steam heater 820.

[0155] In several aspects of the coolant temperature control method, heated and cooled coolant flow outside the loop slurry reactor 100 in a single coolant flow path containing a heat exchanger 810 and a steam heater 820.

[0156] In several aspects of the coolant temperature control method, all the heated coolant flows from the second cooling jacket to the heat exchanger 810.

[0157] In terms of the coolant temperature control method, the method further includes heating the cooled coolant with a steam heater 820 to form a temperature-regulated coolant; and heating the loop slurry reactor 100 with the temperature-regulated coolant during startup of the loop slurry reactor 100 until the polymerization temperature is reached in the loop slurry reactor 100. Reactor startup and other features that may accompany these aspects of the method are discussed in the description of the temperature control system 800.

[0158] In several aspects of the coolant temperature control method, the method further includes maintaining the temperature of the loop slurry reactor 100 during steady-state operation of the loop slurry reactor 100. To this end, the method may include determining that the temperature of the cooled coolant is below a lower threshold value; and heating the cooled coolant with a steam heater 820 to form a temperature-regulated coolant. Alternatively, the method may include determining that the temperature of the cooled coolant is equal to or above a higher threshold value, and not heating the cooled coolant with the steam heater 820.

[0159] In various aspects of coolant temperature control methods, heat exchanger 810 is configured to provide heat exchange contact between a heated coolant and a second coolant. The second coolant is or contains water.

[0160] In several aspects of the coolant temperature control method, the method may further include warming the second coolant in the heat exchanger 810 by heat exchange contact between the warmed coolant and the second coolant to form a warmed second coolant; and causing the warmed second coolant to flow to a supply source of the second coolant.

[0161] In several aspects of the coolant temperature control method, the method may further include polymerizing olefins in a loop slurry reactor 100, wherein the olefins include ethylene or propylene.

[0162] Example

[0163] The aspects of the invention are further illustrated by the following embodiments, which should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. After reading this description, those skilled in the art will be able to conceive of various other aspects, modifications, and equivalents of the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

[0164] For the following embodiments, the simulation was performed using Aspen Hysys software combined with proprietary simulation and computation techniques.

[0165] Comparative Example 1

[0166] Example 1 is shown Figure 2 A comparative embodiment of the features of the coolant distribution system 200 in the middle. Figure 2 The loop slurry reactor 100 in Example 1 was simulated for a capacity of 1,000 kTA, and cooling was supplied to the loop slurry reactor 100 by a coolant distribution system 200. The coolant used in the simulation of Example 1 was water. The number of tee connectors used in the simulation was 16, and the number of 90° bends was 48. The total volume of coolant required in the piping of system 200 was 23,113 gallons (87.5 m³). 3 (This quantity does not include) Figure 2 (The volume of coolant in the cooling sleeve shown). The total coolant flow rate in Comparative Example 1 was 8,800,000 kg / hr.

[0167] Coolant is supplied to coolant supply manifold 202a and coolant supply manifold 202b at a pressure of 8.4 bar (gauge pressure). Use Figure 2In the coolant distribution system 200, coolant is received from the coolant return manifold 212a and coolant return manifold 212b at a pressure of 6.8 bar (gauge pressure). Therefore, the pressure drop across system 200 is approximately 1.6 bar.

[0168] Example 1

[0169] Execution Example 1 is disclosed Figure 4 Features of the coolant distribution system 400 in the middle. Figure 4 The loop slurry reactor 100 in Example 1 was simulated for a capacity of 1,000 kTA, and cooling was supplied to the loop slurry reactor 100 by a coolant distribution system 400. The coolant used in the simulation of Example 1 was water. The number of tee connectors used in this simulation was 16, and the number of 90° bends was 0. Blinded tees were used instead of elbows because pipe dimensions change at bends. It is also believed that using blind tees and appropriately varying the pipe dimensions at the connectors better ensures a more uniform flow distribution. The total volume of coolant required in system 400 was 17,747 gallons (67.2 m³). 3 (This quantity does not include) Figure 4 (The volume of coolant in the cooling jacket shown). The total coolant flow rate in Example 1 is 8.8 x 10⁻⁶. 6 kg / hr. The coolant flow rate in each coolant channel is as follows:

[0170] Table 1

[0171] Figure 4 coolant passage in Flow rate (kg / hr) %average 410a 1,106,939 100.6 410b 1,104,019 100.4 410c 1,101,393 100.1 410d 1,099,285 99.9 410e 1,098,723 99.8 410f 1,097,000 99.7 410g 1,096,706 99.7 410h 1,096,836 99.7

[0172] Coolant is supplied to coolant supply manifold 401 at a pressure of 8.4 bar (gauge pressure). Unexpectedly, it was found that using... Figure 4 When the coolant is distributed in the coolant distribution system 400, the coolant is received in the coolant return manifold 402 at a pressure of 7.3 bar (gauge pressure). Therefore, the pressure drop across the system 400 is about 1.1 bar, which is less than the pressure drop expected for the loop slurry reactor 100 with sixteen vertical branches 111.

[0173] Example 2

[0174] Execution Example 2 is disclosed Figure 5 Features of the coolant distribution system 500 in the middle.

[0175] Figure 5The loop slurry reactor 100 in Example 2 was simulated for a capacity of 1,000 kTA, and cooling was supplied to the loop slurry reactor 100 by a coolant distribution system 500. The coolant used in the simulation of Example 2 was water. The simulation used 16 tee connectors and 4 90° bends. The total volume of coolant required in system 500 was 15,112 gallons (57.2 m³). 3 (This quantity does not include) Figure 5 (The volume of coolant in the cooling jacket shown). The total coolant flow rate in Example 2 is 8.8 x 10⁻⁶. 6 kg / hr. The coolant flow rate in each coolant channel is as follows:

[0176] Table 2

[0177]

[0178]

[0179] Coolant is supplied at a pressure of 8.4 bar (gauge pressure) to coolant supply manifold 501a and coolant supply manifold 501b. Unexpectedly, it was found that using... Figure 5 In the coolant distribution system 500, coolant is received from the coolant return manifold 502a and coolant return manifold 502b at a pressure of 7.2 bar (gauge pressure). Therefore, the pressure drop across system 500 is approximately 1.2 bar, which is less than the pressure drop expected for a loop slurry reactor 100 with sixteen vertical branches 111.

[0180] The following table summarizes the design features of the coolant distribution systems 200, 400, and 500:

[0181] Table 3

[0182]

[0183] The ratio of pipe / conduit length to facility capacity in coolant distribution system 500 is 160.9 m / 1,000 kTA, and the ratio in coolant distribution system 400 is 112.5 m / 1,000 kTA; while the ratio in coolant distribution system 200 is 425 m / 1,000 kTA. Furthermore, by utilizing the construction and technology disclosed herein, the length of pipes / conduits in coolant distribution system 200 is reduced by (1393-369) / 1393*100 = 74% (at least this amount) for system 400, and by (1393-528) / 1393*100 = 62% (at least this amount) for system 500. The 74% and 62% reduction in piping / ducts in Systems 400 and 500, respectively, is unexpected and a significant reduction in physical piping / ducts, resulting in lower capital costs in terms of installation and maintenance compared to the construction in Coolant Distribution System 200.

[0184] The volume ratio of the coolant distribution system 400 to the facility capacity is 67.2 m³. 3 / 1,000kTA, and the volume ratio of the coolant distribution system 500 to the facility capacity is 57.2m³. 3 / 1,000kTA; while the volume-to-capacity ratio of the coolant distribution system 200 is much larger, at 87.5m³. 3 / 1,000kTA. Furthermore, by utilizing the construction and techniques disclosed herein, the volume of the coolant distribution system 200 is reduced by 87.5m³ compared to the system 400. 3 -67.2m 3 ) / (87.5m 3 )*100 = 23% (at least this amount), and for system 500 (87.5m) 3 -57.2m 3 ) / (87.5m 3 ) * 100 = 34% (at least this amount).

[0185] The pressure drop in system 200 is 1.6 bar, while the pressure drop in system 400 is 1.1 bar, and the pressure drop in system 500 is 1.2 bar. The disclosed systems 400 and 500 unexpectedly exhibit lower pressure drops compared to the comparative system 200. Lower pressure drops mean that less pumping power is required for coolant circulation in the disclosed systems 400 and 500.

[0186] Additional public content

[0187] The following is provided as additional disclosure as a combination of features and aspects of the present invention.

[0188] A1 is a method for cooling multiple vertical branches in a loop slurry reactor, the loop slurry reactor having a first side opposite to a second side and a third side opposite to a fourth side, wherein the first side and the second side are perpendicular to the third side and the fourth side.

[0189] Aspect A2 is the method as described in A1 and includes allowing coolant to flow into a first coolant supply manifold extending along a first side of the loop slurry reactor; allowing coolant to flow out from a first coolant return manifold extending along a second side of the loop slurry reactor; and allowing coolant to flow from the first coolant supply manifold through a first plurality of coolant channels to the first coolant return manifold. In this aspect A1, each of the first plurality of coolant channels is configured to i) exchange heat with a first pair of vertical branches of the plurality of vertical branches, ii) receive coolant from the first coolant supply manifold on the first side of the loop slurry reactor, and iii) return coolant to the first coolant return manifold on the second side of the loop slurry reactor.

[0190] Aspect A3 is the method as described in aspect A2, wherein the first coolant supply manifold is the only coolant supply manifold on the first side of the loop slurry reactor, and wherein the first coolant return manifold is the only coolant return manifold on the second side of the loop slurry reactor.

[0191] Aspect A4 is the method as described in any one of Aspects A2 to A3, wherein the coolant flows to the first coolant supply manifold through proximity to the third side of the loop slurry reactor, and wherein the coolant flows from the first coolant return manifold in a direction away from the fourth side of the loop slurry reactor.

[0192] Aspect A5 is a method as described in any one of Aspects A2 to A4, wherein each of the first plurality of coolant channels comprises: an inlet conduit connected to the first coolant supply manifold; a first cooling sleeve surrounding at least a portion of one of the first pair of vertical branches of the plurality of vertical branches, wherein the first cooling sleeve is connected to the inlet conduit; an intermediate conduit connected to the first cooling sleeve; a second cooling sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the other of the first pair of vertical branches of the plurality of vertical branches, wherein the second cooling sleeve is connected to the intermediate conduit; and an outlet conduit connected to the second cooling sleeve and the first coolant return manifold.

[0193] Aspect A6 is a method as described in any one of A2 to A5, wherein causing coolant to flow from the first coolant supply manifold via the first plurality of coolant passages to the first coolant return manifold comprises: causing coolant to flow from the first coolant supply manifold to the inlet conduit; causing coolant to flow through the inlet conduit to the first cooling sleeve; causing coolant to flow through the first cooling sleeve to the intermediate conduit; causing coolant to flow through the intermediate conduit to the second cooling sleeve; causing coolant to flow through the second cooling sleeve to the outlet conduit; and causing coolant to flow from the outlet conduit to the first coolant return manifold.

[0194] Aspect A7 is the method as described in any one of A2 to A6, wherein coolant flows from the bottom of the first cooling sleeve to the top of the first cooling sleeve, and wherein coolant flows from the top of the second cooling sleeve to the bottom of the second cooling sleeve.

[0195] Aspect A8 is the method as described in any one of Aspects A2 to A7, wherein the diameter of the inlet conduit, the diameter of the intermediate conduit, and the diameter of the outlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels are approximately equal.

[0196] Aspect A9 is the method as described in any one of A2 to A8, wherein the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels are parallel to each other, wherein the longitudinal axis of the inlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels extends at an angle in the range of 1° to 179° relative to the longitudinal axis of the first coolant supply manifold, and wherein the longitudinal axis of the outlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels extends at an angle in the range of 1° to 179° relative to the longitudinal axis of the first coolant return manifold.

[0197] Aspect A10 is the method as described in any one of A2 to A9, wherein i) the coolant flow through the first and second cooling sleeves of each of the first plurality of coolant channels is either co-current or counter-current relative to the reaction mixture flow in the plurality of vertical branches of the loop slurry reactor; ii) the coolant flow through the first and second cooling sleeves of each of the first plurality of coolant channels is only counter-current relative to the reaction mixture flow in the plurality of vertical branches of the loop slurry reactor; or iii) the coolant flow through the first and second cooling sleeves of each of the first plurality of coolant channels is only co-current relative to the reaction mixture flow in the plurality of vertical branches of the loop slurry reactor.

[0198] Aspect A11 is the method as described in aspect A2, the method further comprising: allowing coolant to flow to a second coolant supply manifold extending along a second side of the loop slurry reactor; allowing coolant to flow out of a second coolant return manifold extending along a first side of the loop slurry reactor; and allowing coolant to flow from the second coolant supply manifold through a second plurality of coolant channels to the second coolant return manifold; wherein each of the second plurality of coolant channels is configured to i) exchange heat with a second pair of vertical branches of the plurality of vertical branches, ii) receive coolant from the second coolant supply manifold on the second side of the loop slurry reactor, and iii) return coolant to the second coolant return manifold on the first side of the loop slurry reactor.

[0199] Aspect A12 is the method as described in aspect A11, wherein the coolant flows to the second coolant supply manifold through proximity to the third side of the loop slurry reactor, and wherein the coolant flows from the second coolant return manifold in a direction away from the fourth side of the loop slurry reactor.

[0200] Aspect A13 is the method as described in A11 or A12, wherein each of the second plurality of coolant channels comprises: an inlet conduit connected to a second coolant supply manifold; a first cooling sleeve surrounding at least a portion of one of a second pair of vertical branches in the plurality of vertical branches, wherein the first cooling sleeve is connected to the inlet conduit; an intermediate conduit connected to the first cooling sleeve; a second cooling sleeve surrounding at least a portion of another of the second pair of vertical branches in the plurality of vertical branches, wherein the second cooling sleeve is connected to the intermediate conduit; and an outlet conduit connected to the second cooling sleeve and the first coolant return manifold.

[0201] Aspect A14 is the method as described in any one of A11 to A13, wherein the diameter of the inlet conduit, the diameter of the intermediate conduit, and the diameter of the outlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels are approximately equal.

[0202] Aspect A15 is the method as described in any one of A11 to A14, wherein each of the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels is parallel to each other, wherein the longitudinal axis of the inlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels extends at an angle in the range of 1° to 179° relative to the longitudinal axis of the first coolant supply manifold, and wherein the longitudinal axis of the outlet conduit extends at an angle in the range of 1° to 179° relative to the longitudinal axis of the first coolant return manifold.

[0203] Aspect A16 is a method as described in any one of A11 to A15, wherein causing coolant to flow from the second coolant supply manifold via the second plurality of coolant passages to the second coolant return manifold comprises: causing coolant to flow from the second coolant supply manifold to the inlet conduit; causing coolant to flow through the inlet conduit to the first cooling sleeve; causing coolant to flow through the first cooling sleeve to the intermediate conduit; causing coolant to flow through the intermediate conduit to the second cooling sleeve; causing coolant to flow through the second cooling sleeve to the outlet conduit; and causing coolant to flow from the outlet conduit to the second coolant return manifold.

[0204] Aspect A17 is the method as described in any one of A11 to A16, wherein coolant flows from the bottom of the first cooling sleeve to the top of the first cooling sleeve, and wherein coolant flows from the top of the second cooling sleeve to the bottom of the second cooling sleeve.

[0205] Aspect A18 is the method as described in any one of A11 to A17, wherein the coolant flow through the first and second cooling sleeves of each of the second plurality of coolant channels is only countercurrent relative to the reaction mixture flow in the plurality of vertical branches of the loop slurry reactor.

[0206] Aspect B1 is a coolant distribution system for multiple vertical branches in a loop slurry reactor, wherein the loop slurry reactor has a first side opposite to a second side and a third side opposite to a fourth side, wherein the first side and the second side are perpendicular to the third side and the fourth side.

[0207] Aspect B2 is a system as described in aspect B1, the system comprising: a first coolant supply manifold extending along a first side of the loop slurry reactor; a first coolant return manifold extending along a second side of the loop slurry reactor; and a first plurality of coolant channels; wherein each of the first plurality of coolant channels is configured to i) exchange heat with a first pair of vertical branches of the plurality of vertical branches, ii) receive coolant from the first coolant supply manifold on the first side of the loop slurry reactor, and iii) return coolant to the first coolant return manifold on the second side of the loop slurry reactor.

[0208] Aspect B3 is the system as described in aspect B2, wherein each of the first plurality of coolant channels includes: an inlet conduit connected to the first coolant supply manifold; a first cooling sleeve surrounding at least a portion of one of the first pair of vertical branches of the plurality of vertical branches, wherein the first cooling sleeve is connected to the inlet conduit; an intermediate conduit connected to the first cooling sleeve; a second cooling sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the other of the first pair of vertical branches of the plurality of vertical branches, wherein the second cooling sleeve is connected to the intermediate conduit; and an outlet conduit connected to the second cooling sleeve and the first coolant return manifold.

[0209] Aspect B4 is a system as described in any one of aspects B2 to B3, wherein i) the diameter of the inlet conduit, the diameter of the intermediate conduit, and the diameter of the outlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels are approximately equal; or ii) each of the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels is parallel to each other, wherein the longitudinal axis of the inlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels extends at an angle in the range of 1° to 179° relative to the longitudinal axis of the first coolant supply manifold, and wherein the longitudinal axis of the outlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels extends at an angle in the range of 1° to 179° relative to the longitudinal axis of the first coolant return manifold.

[0210] Aspect B5 is a system as described in any one of aspects B2 to B4, wherein i) the coolant flow through the first and second cooling sleeves of each of the first plurality of coolant channels is either co-current or counter-current relative to the reaction mixture flow in the plurality of vertical branches of the loop slurry reactor; ii) the coolant flow through the first and second cooling sleeves of each of the first plurality of coolant channels is only counter-current relative to the reaction mixture flow in the plurality of vertical branches of the loop slurry reactor; or iii) the coolant flow through the first and second cooling sleeves of each of the first plurality of coolant channels is only co-current relative to the reaction mixture flow in the plurality of vertical branches of the loop slurry reactor.

[0211] Aspect B6 is a system as described in any one of Aspect B2, the system further comprising: a second coolant supply manifold extending along the second side of the loop slurry reactor; a second coolant return manifold extending along the first side of the loop slurry reactor; and a second plurality of coolant channels, each of the second plurality of coolant channels being configured to i) exchange heat with a second pair of vertical branches of the plurality of vertical branches, ii) receive coolant from the second coolant supply manifold on the second side of the loop slurry reactor, and iii) return coolant to the second coolant return manifold on the first side of the loop slurry reactor.

[0212] Aspect B7 is the system as described in aspect B6, wherein each of the second plurality of coolant channels includes: an inlet conduit connected to a second coolant supply manifold; a first cooling sleeve surrounding at least a portion of one of the second pair of vertical branches in the plurality of vertical branches, wherein the first cooling sleeve is connected to the inlet conduit; an intermediate conduit connected to the first cooling sleeve; a second cooling sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the other of the second pair of vertical branches in the plurality of vertical branches, wherein the second cooling sleeve is connected to the intermediate conduit; and an outlet conduit connected to the second cooling sleeve and the second coolant return manifold.

[0213] Aspect B8 is a system as described in any one of aspects B6 to B7, wherein i) the diameter of the inlet conduit, the diameter of the intermediate conduit, and the diameter of the outlet conduit of each of the second plurality of coolant channels are approximately equal; or ii) each of the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit of each of the second plurality of coolant channels is parallel to each other, wherein the longitudinal axis of the inlet conduit extends at an angle in the range of 1° to 179° relative to the longitudinal axis of the first coolant supply manifold, and wherein the longitudinal axis of the outlet conduit extends at an angle in the range of 1° to 179° relative to the longitudinal axis of the first coolant return manifold.

[0214] Aspect B9 is a system as described in any one of aspects B6 to B8, wherein the coolant flow through the first and second cooling sleeves of each of the second plurality of coolant channels is only countercurrent to the reaction mixture flow in the plurality of vertical branches of the loop slurry reactor.

[0215] Aspect C1 is a method for controlling the temperature of a coolant in olefin polymerization, the method comprising: flowing a temperature-regulated coolant through a first plurality of cooling sleeves and then through a second plurality of cooling sleeves to form a warmed coolant, wherein the first plurality of cooling sleeves and the second plurality of cooling sleeves are positioned around a plurality of vertical branches of a loop slurry reactor; flowing the warmed coolant from the second plurality of cooling sleeves to a heat exchanger; cooling the warmed coolant in the heat exchanger to form a cooled coolant; passing the cooled coolant through a steam heater to form a temperature-regulated coolant; and flowing the temperature-regulated coolant back to the first plurality of cooling sleeves; wherein the heat exchanger and the steam heater are fluidly connected in series rather than in parallel with respect to the flow direction of the coolant through the heat exchanger and the steam heater.

[0216] Aspect C2 is the method as described in aspect C1, wherein the steam heater is downstream of the heat exchanger relative to the flow direction of the coolant.

[0217] Aspect C3 is the method as described in any one of aspects C1 to C2, wherein the heated coolant and the cooled coolant flow outside the loop slurry reactor in a single coolant flow path containing the heat exchanger and the steam heater.

[0218] Aspect C4 is the method as described in any one of aspects C1 to C3, wherein all of the heated coolant flows from the second plurality of cooling jackets to the heat exchanger.

[0219] Aspect C5 is a method as described in any one of aspects C1 to C4, the method further comprising: heating the cooled coolant with the steam heater to form the temperature-regulated coolant; and heating the loop slurry reactor with the temperature-regulated coolant during startup of the loop slurry reactor until the polymerization temperature is reached in the loop slurry reactor.

[0220] Aspect C6 is the method as described in any one of aspects C1 to C5, the method further comprising: maintaining the temperature of the loop slurry reactor during steady-state operation of the loop slurry reactor.

[0221] Aspect C7 is the method as described in any one of aspects C1 to C6, the method further comprising: determining that the temperature of the cooled coolant is below a threshold; and heating the cooled coolant with the steam heater to form the temperature-regulated coolant.

[0222] Aspect C8 is the method as described in any one of aspects C1 to C7, further comprising: determining that the temperature of the cooled coolant is equal to or higher than a threshold; and not heating the cooled coolant with a steam heater.

[0223] Aspect C9 is a method as described in any one of aspects C1 to C8, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to provide heat exchange contact between the heated coolant and the second coolant.

[0224] Aspect C10 is the method as described in any one of aspects C1 to C9, wherein the second coolant is cooling water.

[0225] Aspect C11 is a method as described in any one of aspects C1 to C10, the method further comprising: warming the second coolant in the heat exchanger by means of the heat exchange contact between the warmed coolant and the second coolant to form a warmed second coolant; and causing the warmed second coolant to flow to a supply source of the second coolant.

[0226] Aspect C12 is the method as described in any one of aspects C1 to C11, the method further comprising: polymerizing olefins in the loop slurry reactor, wherein the olefins include ethylene or propylene.

[0227] Aspect D1 is a temperature control system for a coolant in olefin polymerization, the temperature control system comprising: a coolant return conduit connected to a first plurality of cooling sleeves of a loop slurry reactor; a heat exchanger connected to the coolant return conduit and configured to cool warmed coolant received from the coolant return conduit to form a cooled coolant; a steam heater connected to the heat exchanger and configured to i) heat the cooled coolant to form a temperature-regulated coolant, or ii) allow the cooled coolant to pass through without heating to form the temperature-regulated coolant; and a coolant supply conduit connected to the steam heater and to a second plurality of cooling sleeves of the loop slurry reactor, wherein the first plurality of cooling sleeves are fluidly connected to the second plurality of cooling sleeves; wherein the heat exchanger and the steam heater are connected in series rather than in parallel.

[0228] Aspect D2 is the system as described in aspect D1, wherein the steam heater is downstream of the heat exchanger relative to the flow direction of the coolant.

[0229] Aspect D3 is a system as described in any one of aspects D1 to D2, wherein the heated coolant and the cooled coolant flow outside the loop slurry reactor in a single coolant flow path containing the heat exchanger and the steam heater.

[0230] Aspect D4 is a system as described in any one of aspects D1 to D3, wherein all of the heated coolant flows from the first plurality of cooling jackets to the heat exchanger.

[0231] Aspect D5 is a system as described in any one of aspects D1 to D4, the system further comprising: a second coolant conduit connected to the heat exchanger and configured to supply a second coolant to the heat exchanger; and a third coolant conduit connected to the heat exchanger and configured to return the second coolant to the source of supply of the second coolant.

[0232] Aspect D6 is a system as described in any one of aspects D1 to D5, the system further comprising: a steam conduit connected to the steam heater.

[0233] Aspect D7 is a system as described in any one of aspects D1 to D6, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of heat exchange zones connected in series or in parallel.

[0234] Aspect D8 is a system as described in any one of aspects D1 to D7, the system further comprising: a control device configured to compare the temperature of the cooled coolant with a threshold and to actuate a valve to allow or prohibit steam injection into the steam heater.

[0235] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, modifications may be made to said embodiments without departing from the spirit and teachings of the invention. The embodiments and examples described herein are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations and modifications of the invention disclosed herein are possible and are within the scope of the invention.

[0236] At least one embodiment is disclosed, and variations, combinations, and / or modifications made by those skilled in the art to one or more embodiments and / or features of one or more embodiments are within the scope of this disclosure. Alternative embodiments resulting from combining, integrating, and / or omitting features of one or more embodiments are also within the scope of this disclosure. When a numerical range or limitation is explicitly stated, such an explicit range or limitation should be understood to include an iterative range or limitation of similar values ​​falling within the explicitly stated range or limitation (e.g., about 1 to about 10 includes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ...; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, ...). For example, whenever a lower limit R is disclosed... l and upper limit R u The numerical range of R is specifically disclosed, including any value falling within the range. In particular, the following values ​​within the range are specifically disclosed: R = R l +k*(R u -R l ), where k is a variable ranging from 1% to 100% in increments of 1%, i.e., k is 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, ..., 50%, 51%, 52%, ..., 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%. Furthermore, any numerical range defined by the two R values ​​as defined above is specifically disclosed. The use of the term "optionally" relative to any element of the claim means that the element is essential, or alternatively, that the element is not essential, both of which are within the scope of the claim. The use of broad terms such as comprising, including, and having should be understood to be supported by narrower terms such as consisting of, substantially consisting of, and substantially including.

[0237] Therefore, the scope of protection is not limited to the description set forth above, but only to the following claims, the scope of which includes all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each claim is incorporated herein by reference as an aspect of the invention. Thus, the claims are a further description and supplement to the specific embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for cooling a plurality of vertical legs in a loop slurry reactor, the loop slurry reactor having a first side opposite a second side and a third side opposite a fourth side, wherein the first and second sides are perpendicular to the third and fourth sides, the method comprising: flowing coolant to a first coolant supply header that extends along the first side of the loop slurry reactor; flowing coolant to a second coolant supply header that extends along the second side of the loop slurry reactor; flowing coolant from a first coolant return header that extends along the second side of the loop slurry reactor; flowing coolant from a second coolant return header that extends along the first side of the loop slurry reactor; flowing coolant from the first coolant supply header to the first coolant return header via a first plurality of coolant channels; and flowing coolant from the second coolant supply header to the second coolant return header via a second plurality of coolant channels; wherein each of the first plurality of coolant channels is configured to i) exchange heat with a first pair of vertical legs of the plurality of vertical legs, ii) receive coolant from the first coolant supply header on the first side of the loop slurry reactor, and iii) return coolant to the first coolant return header on the second side of the loop slurry reactor; wherein each of the second plurality of coolant channels is configured to i) exchange heat with a second pair of vertical legs of the plurality of vertical legs, ii) receive coolant from the second coolant supply header on the second side of the loop slurry reactor, and iii) return coolant to the second coolant return header on the first side of the loop slurry reactor; wherein each of the first plurality of coolant channels has a first cooling jacket that wraps around at least a portion of one vertical leg of the first pair of vertical legs of the plurality of vertical legs and a second cooling jacket that wraps around at least a portion of the other vertical leg of the first pair of vertical legs of the plurality of vertical legs; wherein each of the second plurality of coolant channels has a first cooling jacket that wraps around at least a portion of one vertical leg of the second pair of vertical legs of the plurality of vertical legs and a second cooling jacket that wraps around at least a portion of the other vertical leg of the second pair of vertical legs of the plurality of vertical legs, wherein coolant flows in the first plurality of coolant channels from the first side of the loop slurry reactor to the second side of the loop slurry reactor; and coolant flows in the second plurality of coolant channels from the second side of the loop slurry reactor to the first side of the loop slurry reactor; and wherein only a counter-current coolant flow relative to the reaction mixture flow flows through the first cooling jacket and the second cooling jacket of each of the second plurality of coolant channels in the plurality of vertical legs of the loop slurry reactor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first coolant supply header is the only coolant supply header on the first side of the loop slurry reactor, and wherein the first coolant return header is the only coolant return header on the second side of the loop slurry reactor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein coolant flows to the first coolant supply header proximate the third side of the loop slurry reactor, wherein coolant flows from the first coolant return header away from the fourth side of the loop slurry reactor.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first plurality of coolant channels comprises: an inlet conduit connected to the first coolant supply header, wherein the first cooling jacket tube is connected to the inlet conduit; an intermediate conduit connected to the first cooling jacket tube, wherein the second cooling jacket tube is connected to the intermediate conduit; and an outlet conduit connected to the second cooling jacket tube and the first coolant return header.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein flowing coolant from the first coolant supply header to the first coolant return header via the first plurality of coolant channels comprises: flowing coolant from the first coolant supply header to the inlet conduit; flowing coolant through the inlet conduit to the first cooling jacket tube; flowing coolant through the first cooling jacket tube to the intermediate conduit; flowing coolant through the intermediate conduit to the second cooling jacket tube; flowing coolant through the second cooling jacket tube to the outlet conduit; and flowing coolant from the outlet conduit to the first coolant return header.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein coolant flows from a bottom of the first cooling jacket tube to a top of the first cooling jacket tube, and wherein coolant flows from a top of the second cooling jacket tube to a bottom of the second cooling jacket tube.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein a diameter of the inlet conduit, a diameter of the intermediate conduit, and a diameter of the outlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels are equal.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels are parallel to each other, wherein a longitudinal axis of the inlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels extends at an angle within a range of 1°-179° relative to a longitudinal axis of the first coolant supply header, and wherein a longitudinal axis of the outlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels extends at an angle within a range of 1°-179° relative to a longitudinal axis of the first coolant return header.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein ​ i) coolant flow through the first cooling jacket and the second cooling jacket of each of the first plurality of coolant channels is co-current or counter-current relative to reaction mixture flow in the plurality of vertical legs of the loop slurry reactor; ii) coolant flow through the first cooling jacket and the second cooling jacket of each of the first plurality of coolant channels is counter-current only relative to reaction mixture flow in the plurality of vertical legs of the loop slurry reactor; or iii) coolant flow through the first cooling jacket and the second cooling jacket of each of the first plurality of coolant channels is co-current only relative to reaction mixture flow in the plurality of vertical legs of the loop slurry reactor.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the second plurality of coolant channels comprises: an inlet conduit connected to the second coolant supply header, wherein the first cooling jacket is connected to the inlet conduit; an intermediate conduit connected to the first cooling jacket, wherein the second cooling jacket is connected to the intermediate conduit; and an outlet conduit connected to the second cooling jacket and the first coolant return header.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein a diameter of the inlet conduit, a diameter of the intermediate conduit, and a diameter of the outlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels are equal.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein each of the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels are parallel to each other, wherein a longitudinal axis of the inlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels extends at an angle in a range of 1°-179° relative to a longitudinal axis of the first coolant supply header, wherein a longitudinal axis of the outlet conduit extends at an angle in a range of 1°-179° relative to a longitudinal axis of the first coolant return header.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein flowing coolant from the second coolant supply header to the second coolant return header via the second plurality of coolant channels comprises: flowing coolant from the second coolant supply header to the inlet conduit; flowing coolant through the inlet conduit to the first cooling jacket; flowing coolant through the first cooling jacket to the intermediate conduit; flowing coolant through the intermediate conduit to the second cooling jacket; flowing coolant through the second cooling jacket to the outlet conduit; and flowing coolant from the outlet conduit to the second coolant return header.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein coolant flows from a bottom of the first cooling jacket to a top of the first cooling jacket, and wherein coolant flows from a top of the second cooling jacket to a bottom of the second cooling jacket. ​ 15. A coolant distribution system for a plurality of vertical legs in a loop slurry reactor, wherein the loop slurry reactor has a first side opposite a second side and a third side opposite a fourth side, wherein the first and second sides are perpendicular to the third and fourth sides, the coolant distribution system comprising: a first coolant supply header extending along the first side of the loop slurry reactor; a second coolant supply header extending along the second side of the loop slurry reactor; a first coolant return header extending along the second side of the loop slurry reactor; a second coolant return header extending along the first side of the loop slurry reactor; a first plurality of coolant channels; and a second plurality of coolant channels wherein each of the first plurality of coolant channels is configured to i) exchange heat with a first pair of vertical legs of the plurality of vertical legs, ii) receive coolant from the first coolant supply header on the first side of the loop slurry reactor, and iii) return coolant to the first coolant return header on the second side of the loop slurry reactor; wherein each of the second plurality of coolant channels is configured to i) exchange heat with a second pair of vertical legs of the plurality of vertical legs, ii) receive coolant from the second coolant supply header on the second side of the loop slurry reactor, and iii) return coolant to the second coolant return header on the first side of the loop slurry reactor; wherein each of the first plurality of coolant channels has a first cooling jacket that wraps around at least a portion of one vertical leg of the first pair of vertical legs of the plurality of vertical legs and a second cooling jacket that wraps around at least a portion of another vertical leg of the first pair of vertical legs of the plurality of vertical legs; wherein each of the second plurality of coolant channels has a first cooling jacket that wraps around at least a portion of one vertical leg of the second pair of vertical legs of the plurality of vertical legs and a second cooling jacket that wraps around at least a portion of another vertical leg of the second pair of vertical legs of the plurality of vertical legs, and wherein in the plurality of vertical legs of the loop slurry reactor, only countercurrent coolant flow with respect to reaction mixture flow passes through the first and second cooling jackets of each coolant channel of the second plurality of coolant channels.

16. The coolant distribution system of claim 15, wherein each of the first plurality of coolant channels comprises: an inlet conduit connected to the first coolant supply header, wherein the first cooling jacket is connected to the inlet conduit; an intermediate conduit connected to the first cooling jacket, wherein the second cooling jacket is connected to the intermediate conduit; and an outlet conduit connected to the second cooling jacket, wherein the outlet conduit is connected to the second coolant return header. ​ an outlet conduit connected to the second cooling jacket and the first coolant return header.

17. The coolant distribution system of claim 16, wherein i) the diameter of the inlet conduit, the diameter of the intermediate conduit, and the diameter of the outlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels are equal; or ii) each of the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels are parallel to each other, wherein a longitudinal axis of the inlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels extends at an angle within a range of 1°-179° relative to a longitudinal axis of the first coolant supply header, and wherein a longitudinal axis of the outlet conduit of each of the first plurality of coolant channels extends at an angle within a range of 1°-179° relative to a longitudinal axis of the first coolant return header.

18. The coolant distribution system of claim 16, wherein i) coolant flow through the first cooling jacket and the second cooling jacket of each of the first plurality of coolant channels is co-current or counter-current relative to reaction mixture flow in the plurality of vertical legs of the loop slurry reactor; ii) coolant flow through the first cooling jacket and the second cooling jacket of each of the first plurality of coolant channels is only counter-current relative to reaction mixture flow in the plurality of vertical legs of the loop slurry reactor; or iii) coolant flow through the first cooling jacket and the second cooling jacket of each of the first plurality of coolant channels is only co-current relative to reaction mixture flow in the plurality of vertical legs of the loop slurry reactor.

19. The coolant distribution system of claim 15, wherein each of the second plurality of coolant channels comprises: an inlet conduit connected to the second coolant supply header; wherein the first cooling jacket is connected to the inlet conduit; an intermediate conduit connected to the first cooling jacket; wherein the second cooling jacket is connected to the intermediate conduit; and an outlet conduit connected to the second cooling jacket and the second coolant return header.

20. The coolant distribution system of claim 19, wherein i) the diameter of the inlet conduit, the diameter of the intermediate conduit, and the diameter of the outlet conduit of each of the second plurality of coolant channels are equal; or ii) each of the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit of each of the second plurality of coolant channels are parallel to each other, wherein a longitudinal axis of the inlet conduit extends at an angle within a range of 1°-179° relative to a longitudinal axis of the first coolant supply header, wherein a longitudinal axis of the outlet conduit extends at an angle within a range of 1°-179° relative to a longitudinal axis of the first coolant return header.

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