System and process for production of polyethylene and polypropylene

A method for producing polypropylene, comprising:

• obtaining a high shear mixing device;
• forming in said high shear mixing device a high shear mixture comprising propylene and a polymerization catalyst dispersed in a solvent, wherein said high shear mixture comprises submicron-sized propylene gas-containing bubbles dispersed in a liquid phase, wherein forming said high shear mixture comprises an energy expenditure of at least 1000 W/m3;
• and
• subjecting the high shear mixture to polymerization conditions comprising pressure in the range of about 203 kPa to about 6080 kPa and temperature in the range of about 20° C. to about 230° C., whereby at least a portion of said propylene is polymerized to form polypropylene.

A method for producing a polymer, comprising:

• obtaining a high shear mixing device;
• forming in said high shear mixing device a high shear mixture comprising submicron-sized monomer gas-containing bubbles and a solvent, wherein said monomer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, and mixtures thereof, and wherein forming said high shear mixture comprises an energy expenditure of at, least 1000 W/m3;
• and
• subjecting the high shear mixture to polymerization conditions comprising subjecting said high shear mixture to a pressure in the range of about 203 kPa to about 6080 kPa and a temperature in the range of about 20° C. to about 230° C., to form polyethylene or polypropylene, or a copolymer thereof.