Process for cleaning polymeric fouling from equipment
OwnerMichael R. Dorton, Gary L. Gardner, Sr.inventors
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Abstract
A process is described for removing olefinic polymer mass buildup fouling process equipment to restore the efficiency of such equipment. This is accomplished by circulating through the equipment in contact with the polymer an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent having a high boiling point and low vapor pressure for a period of time sufficient to remove the polymer. The solvent is recovered for reuse by a flash separation from the removed olefinic polymer mass.
Claims14
A process for removing an olefinic polymer mass buildup on process equipment surfaces occurring during solution polymerizing of an olefin monomer comprising the steps of:
- heating an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent capable of dissolving the olefinic polymer to a temperature of from about 200° F. to about 600° F., the aromatic solvent having a boiling point above about 400° F. and a vapor pressure of less than about 0.01 mm Hg measured at 25° C.;
- contacting the olefin polymer mass with the heated aromatic hydrocarbon solvent at a pressure of from about 5 psig to about 50 psig for a time sufficient to dissolve at least a portion of the olefinic polymer mass;
- and
- removing the solvent and dissolved polymer from the equipment.
A process for removing an olefinic polymer mass buildup from process surfaces of equipment without relocating the equipment from the site where it normally operates which comprises the steps of:
- isolating the equipment to be cleaned from process and through the equipment establishing a loop for circulating a solvent for the olefinic polymer mass in the equipment;
- heating an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent for the olefinic polymer mass to a temperature of from about 200° F. to about 600° F., the aromatic solvent having a boiling point above about 400° F. and a vapor pressure of less than about 0.01 mm Hg, measured at 25° C.;
- circulating the heated aromatic solvent through the solvent circulation loop to contact the olefin polymer mass in the equipment for a time sufficient to dissolve at least a portion of the olefinic polymer mass resulting in a solution of aromatic solvent containing dissolved polymer;
- and
- removing the solvent and dissolved polymer from the equipment.
A process for removing an olefinic polymer mass occurring during an olefin monomer polymerization from process equipment surfaces which comprises the steps of:
- heating an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent capable of dissolving the olefinic polymer to a temperature of from about 200° F. to about 600° F., the aromatic solvent having a boiling point above about 400° F. and a vapor pressure of less than about 0.01 mm Hg measured at 25° C.;
- circulating the heated solvent through the equipment contacting the olefinic polymer mass at a rate of about 350 to 3,000 gpm to form a polymeric mass removed solution of the solvent for the olefinic polymer mass, a polymerization reaction solvent used as the reaction medium to prepare the olefin polymer, and the dissolved olefinic mass;
- recovering the polymerization reaction solvent from the polymeric mass removal solution containing dissolved polymer and the polymer solvent;
- recovering the polymeric mass removal solvent leaving a polymeric mass for disposal;
- and
- recycling the recovered polymer removal solvent to the equipment being cleaned.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.