Details for Patent: 6,548,610
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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: | Mar 08, 2001 |
Application Number: | 09/802,090 |
Claims: | 1. A method for reducing static charges during polymerization of one or more olefins in a fluidized bed reactor which comprises: continuously monitoring static charges within the fluidized bed; and introducing a static control agent into the reactor in amounts sufficient to create and maintain essentially neutral charges in the fluidized bed, wherein the continuous monitoring comprises (a) removing a sample of polymer from the reactor; and (b) measuring the static charge of said polymer sample using a Faraday drum. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the sample of polymer is taken from the product discharge stream of the reactor. 3. A method for controlling the static charge during the polymerization of one or more olefins in a fluidized bed reactor comprising: withdrawing a polymer sample from the reactor; measuring the static charge of said polymer sample using a Faraday drum; and adding a static control agent to the reactor in an amount to create and maintain essentially neutral static charges in the fluidized bed. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the measuring of the static charge is performed using a Faraday drum. 5. The method of claim 3 wherein the polymer sample is withdrawn from the product discharge of the reactor. 6. A method for controlling static charges in a fluidized bed reactor comprising: removing a sample from the fluidized bed reactor; measuring the static charge of said sample using a Faraday drum; comparing the measured charge with a predetermined range of static charge values; determining if the measured static charge is outside the predetermined range of static charge values and the polarity of the measured static charge; and adding a static charge control agent to the reactor if the measured static charge lies outside the predetermined range of static charge values. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein said Faraday drum is connected to an electrometer to measure the static charge of said polymer. 8. The method of claim 6 wherein said Faraday drum comprises: an inner drum; an outer shielding drum; and an insulating layer between said inner and outer drums. 9. The method of claim 8 wherein said Faraday drum further comprises an electrometer connected to said inner drum. |