Chevron-Phillips Chemical Company has made substantial changes in the slurry loop
process in recent years. Because of the process innovations, capital and operating costs for polyethylene production are lowered. To improve competitiveness of the process by economy of scale., single line capacities have been substantially improved. Single large slurry loop reactors capable of 300,000-400,000 metric ton/yr of polyethylene are possible. Major process changes that have been made include higher slurry concentrations, simplified diluent and polymer recovery section, and enhance recovery of purge gas. In this review, recent process patents for Chevron-Phillips slurry loop process are reviewed. The process economics for polyethylene production have been evaluated based on a plant capacity of 400,000 metric ton per year.
By Susan Bell
