Flashline heater system and method
AssigneeChevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
InventorsJohn D. Hottovy, Scott E. Kufeld
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present embodiments provide a system and method for separation within a polymer production process. Specifically, a flashline heater configured according to present embodiments may provide more time than is required for complete vaporization of liquid hydrocarbons that are not entrained within a polymer fluff produced within a polymerization reactor. Such extra time may allow for liquid hydrocarbons that are entrained within the polymer fluff to be vaporized.
Claims22
A method of separation within a polymer production process, comprising the acts of:
- receiving a discharged stream in a flashline heater, the discharged stream comprising a liquid part and a solid part upon entry into the flashline heater;
- heating the discharged stream in the flashline heater as the discharged stream passes along a length of the flashline heater such that at least a portion of the liquid part vaporizes to generate a vapor part, wherein a transit time of the discharged stream through the flashline heater is at least approximately 8 seconds;
- and
- equilibrating the temperature between the solid part and the vapor part during the at least approximately 8 seconds within the flashline heater.
A method of separation within a polymer production process, comprising the acts of:
- receiving a discharged stream in a flashline heater, the discharged stream comprising a liquid diluent and polymer fluff upon entry into the flashline heater, wherein the liquid diluent comprises a first part not entrained in the polymer fluff and a second part entrained within the polymer fluff;
- heating the discharged stream in the flashline heater as the discharged stream passes along a length of the flashline heater such that at least a portion of the liquid diluent vaporizes to generate vaporized diluent;
- and
- equilibrating respective temperatures of the vaporized diluent, the second part of the liquid diluent, and the polymer fluff before the discharged stream exits the flashline heater.
A method, comprising:
- polymerizing an olefin monomer in a liquid diluent using an olefin polymerization catalyst to generate a polymer slurry, the polymer slurry comprising polymer fluff and the liquid diluent;
- continuously discharging the polymer slurry into a flashline heater;
- volatilizing, within the flashline heater, a first part of the liquid diluent and at least a portion of a second part of the liquid diluent of the discharged polymer slurry to generate vaporized diluent, wherein the first part is not entrained within the polymer fluff and the second part is entrained within the polymer fluff;
- and
- discharging the vaporized diluent, any remaining second part of the diluent, and the polymer fluff from the flashline heater at thermal equilibrium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.