Process for producing ultrahigh molecular weight polymer in powder form

A process for preparing an ultra-high molecular weight drag reducing polymer, the process comprising:

• a. adding a titanium halide based catalyst, wherein the titanium halide based catalyst is supported on a magnesium chloride matrix with/without an internal donor, or unsupported with/without an internal donor;
• b. adding a co-catalyst, wherein the co-catalyst is an organoaluminum compound;
• and
• c. preparing a polymerization mixture comprising the titanium halide based catalyst, the co-catalyst and monomers, wherein the monomers are alpha-olefins with carbon chains having at least four carbons in a polymerization reactor;
• d. continuously stirring the polymerization mixture for a residence time ranging from 12 to 24 hours at a temperature of approximately 10° C. and regulating the stirring depending upon a viscosity of the polymerization mixture to obtain the ultra-high molecular weight drag reducing polymer as a free-flowing powder having an intrinsic viscosity a range of 21 dL/g to 35 dL/g and achieving conversion of at least 90%;
• wherein the polymerization is a bulk polymerization and is carried under inert and oxygen free conditions, at a pressure of 0.5 bar.