Method for preparing linear alpha-olefins

The present invention relates to a method for preparing linear alpha-olefins (LAO) by oligomerization of ethylene in the presence of a solvent and homogeneous catalyst, comprising the steps of: (i) feeding ethylene, solvent and catalyst into an oligomerization reactor, (ii) oligomerizing the ethylene in the reactor, (iii) removing a reactor outlet stream comprising solvent, linear alpha-olefins, optionally unreacted ethylene and catalyst from the reactor via a reactor outlet piping system, (iv) dosing at least one additive selected from the group consisting of alcohols, poly-ethylene glycols, polyethylene glycol monoethers, polyethylene glycol diethers, polyamines, amines, amino alcohols and surfactants, (v) transferring the reactor outlet stream containing the additive to a catalyst deactivation and removal section, and (vi) deactivating the catalyst with caustic and removing the deactivated catalyst from the reactor outlet stream, wherein the residence time of the additive in the reactor outlet stream prior to mixing with caustic is at least 1 second preferably at least 5 seconds, more preferably at least 10 seconds.