METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POLYMERISING OLEFINS IN GAS PHASE

The present invention deals with an olefin polymerisation process. At least one olefin is polymerised in gas phase in a fluidised bed in the presence of an olefin polymerisation catalyst in a polymerisation reactor having a vertical body; a generally conical downwards tapering bottom zone; a generally cylindrical middle zone above and connected to said bottom zone; and a generally conical upwards tapering top zone above and connected to said middle zone. Fluidisation gas is introduced to the bottom zone of the reactor from where it passes upwards through the reactor, and withdrawn from the top zone of the reactor. The gas is then compressed, cooled and returned into the bottom zone of the reactor. A fluidised bed is thus formed within the reactor where the growing polymer particles are suspended in the upwards rising gas stream wherein the superficial velocity of the fluidisation gas is less than the transport velocity of the particles. There is no fluidisation grid in the reactor. The fluidisation gas is passed from an inlet chamber into the bottom zone and the gas flows from the upper part of the inlet chamber to the lower part thereof and the gas flows from the lower part of the inlet chamber to the bottom zone.