Halogenated Hydrocarbon Additive for Olefin Polymerization Productivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling olefin polymerization productivity often require changes in catalyst composition or reaction conditions, and result in increased catalyst residue and production costs, necessitating alternative approaches to enhance productivity without these limitations.

Innovation Solution

Introducing a halogenated hydrocarbon compound, such as perfluorohexane or hexafluorobenzene, into the polymerization reactor system to increase the productivity of olefin polymers, using a transition metal-based catalyst system, which can include chromium or metallocene-based catalysts, without altering the catalyst composition or reaction conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If catalyst composition or polymerization reaction conditions are changed to control productivity, then productivity can be adjusted, but catalyst residue increases and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolymerization productivityVSAvoidcatalyst residue
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A halogenated hydrocarbon compound is introduced as an intermediary substance to modify the catalyst system's performance. This compound acts as a mediator that enhances polymerization productivity and reduces catalyst residue without requiring changes to the base catalyst composition or reaction conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and catalyst residue reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If catalyst composition or polymerization reaction conditions are changed to control productivity, then productivity can be adjusted, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolymerization productivityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The halogenated hydrocarbon compound serves as a cost-effective intermediary that enables productivity control without expensive modifications to catalyst systems or reaction conditions. By using this additive approach, the method achieves productivity enhancement while avoiding the high costs associated with developing new catalyst compositions or optimizing complex reaction parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The method introduces a chemical parameter (halogenated hydrocarbon compound) that selectively modifies polymerization productivity without affecting other critical parameters such as catalyst composition, reaction temperature, pressure, or monomer feed rates. This selective parameter change allows productivity adjustment while maintaining cost-effectiveness and avoiding the need for comprehensive process re-optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If halogenated hydrocarbon compound is introduced to increase productivity, then polymer production rate increases, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolymer production rateVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The halogenated hydrocarbon compound is introduced as a simple intermediary additive that enhances polymerization productivity through a straightforward mechanism. Rather than requiring complex modifications to reactor design, catalyst synthesis, or process control systems, this single compound addition provides the desired productivity enhancement while minimizing system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The method achieves productivity improvement by introducing a single chemical parameter (the halogenated hydrocarbon compound) without altering other process parameters. This approach avoids the complexity that would arise from modifying multiple reaction conditions, catalyst formulations, or operational parameters simultaneously, thereby maintaining system simplicity while achieving the productivity goal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3440115B1Methods for increasing polymer production rates with halogenated hydrocarbon compounds
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 CHEVRON PHILLIPS CHEMICAL COMPANY LP
  • EP3440115B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3440115B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3440115B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods for controlling the productivity of an olefin polymer in a polymerization reactor system using a halogenated hydrocarbon compound are disclosed. The productivity of the polymer can be increased via the addition of the halogenated hydrocarbon compound.