Olefin oligomerization reaction processes exhibiting reduced fouling

A method for polymerizing a polyethylene copolymer comprising

• contacting, in an oligomerization reactor under oligomerization conditions, a feed comprising an alpha-olefin, a catalyst having an olefin selectivity of at least 90 mol % to a desired oligomerization product, and optionally a diluent;
• adding a polyethylene homopolymer or copolymer anti-foulant to the oligomerization reactor;
• producing an effluent comprising the desired oligomerization product, unreacted olefin, and polymer byproduct having at least 50 mol % of its repeat units based on the alpha-olefin and which causes fouling on one or more surfaces within the oligomerization reactor;
• and
• contacting ethylene and the desired oligomerization product in a polymerization reactor under conditions sufficient to form a polyethylene copolymer.

A method for oligomerizing olefins comprising:

• contacting, in an oligomerization reactor under oligomerization conditions, a feed comprising an alpha-olefin, a catalyst having an olefin selectivity of at least 90 mol % to a desired oligomerization product, and optionally a diluent;
• producing an effluent comprising the desired oligomerization product, unreacted olefin, and polymer byproduct having at least 50 mol % of its repeat units based on the alpha-olefin and which causes fouling on one or more surfaces within the oligomerization reactor;
• and
• adding an anti-foulant comprising an polyethylene homopolymer or an unmodified polyethylene copolymer having less than about 6 wt % comonomer repeat units to the oligomerization reactor.