Continuous process for the oxidation of polyethylene

A process for the oxidation of polyethylene comprising continuously introducing free radical initiator, a molecular oxygen containing gas and particulate polyethylene into a reactor into an agitated bed of particulate oxidizied polyethylene at a temperature of at least 65.degree. C. but below the melting temperature of the particulate oxidizied polyethylene while continuously removing particulate oxidized polyethylene product wherein said particulate oxidized polyethylene in said agitated bed has an acid number of at least 10 and wherein the continuous introduction of particulate polyethylene and continuous removal of particulate oxidized polyethylene product includes, intermittent introduction and removal of quantities of these particulate polyethylenes over time such that no more than 25% of the particles, based on the total of the particulate polyethylenes in said reactor, are unoxidized at any one time.