Details for Patent: 6,905,654
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Title: | Method and apparatus for reducing static charges during polymerization of olefin polymers |
Abstract: | The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling static charges in a fluidized bed olefin polymerization reactor. Static charges which develop in the polymer products are measured and, if they fall outside a predetermined range, static charge control agents are introduced into the reactor. By controlling the static charges in the reactor, sheeting and drooling can be controlled. |
Inventor(s): | Bartilucci; Mark Peter (Beaumont, TX), Davis, Jr.; Ernest Raymond (Beaumont, TX), Egan; Brian J. (Altona, AU), Hagerty; Robert Olds (La Porte, TX), Husby; Per K. (Somerset, NJ) |
Assignee: | Univation Technologies, LLC (Houston, TX) |
Filing Date: | Feb 07, 2003 |
Application Number: | 10/360,299 |
Claims: | 1. An apparatus for measuring static charges in a fluidized bed olefin polymerization reactor comprising: (a) a Faraday drum; (b) a conduit for transporting a polymer sample from the reactor to the Faraday drum; (c) a means for measuring electric current flow connected to said Faraday drum to measure the static charge of the polymer sample in the Faraday drum. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means for integrating the electric current flow over time. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for measuring electric current flow comprises an electrometer. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said Faraday drum comprises an inner drum, an outer shielding drum and an insulating layer between said inner and outer drums. 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said electrometer is connected to said inner drum. 6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a scale to measure the weight of polymer in said Faraday drum. 7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said outer shielding drum comprises a product discharge tank. |