On-line raman analysis and control of a high pressure reaction system
AssigneeExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
InventorsDavid Geoffrey Marrow, David A. Yahn
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Abstract
Methods and systems for analysis of the polymerization material of high pressure polymerization processes are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods and systems subject the polymerization material to Raman spectroscopy analysis. The Raman spectroscopy provides analysis of reaction mixtures and/or product streams in high pressure polymerization processes. The Raman spectroscopy analysis may include both compositional and characterization analysis of the reaction mixtures and product streams. The spectroscopy results can be used to provide process control feedback to adjust operating parameters of the reactor operations and/or an associated polymerization product handling and finishing processes.
Claims29
A method of monitoring a high pressure reaction system comprising:
- (a) forming a polymerization material comprising:
- (i) a reaction mixture comprising monomer, solvent, and polymer product within a reaction zone maintained at a temperature of 120° C. to 355° C. and a pressure of 110 MPa to 350 MPa and (ii) polymer product downstream of the reaction zone;
- (b) irradiating at least a portion of the polymerization material;
- (c) measuring the energy shift experienced by the at least a portion of the polymerization material due to the step of irradiating;
- and
- (d) determining a characteristic of the at least a portion of the polymerization material based on the energy shift;
- wherein the at least one analysis probe has a focus point of about 50 μm to 200 μm for non-homogeneous polymerization materials and a focus point of about 400 to 700 μm for homogeneous polymerization materials.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.