A method of determining multimodal polyethylene quality comprising the steps of (a) providing a multimodal polyethylene resin sample; (b) determining, in any sequence, the following: that the multimodal polyethylene resin sample has a melt index within 30% of a target melt index; that the multimodal polyethylene resin sample has a density within 2.5% of a target density; that the multimodal polyethylene resin sample has a dynamic viscosity deviation (% MVD) from a target dynamic viscosity of less than about 100%; that the multimodal polyethylene resin sample has a weight average molecular weight (M.sub.w) deviation (% M.sub.wD) from a target M.sub.w of less than about 20%; and that the multimodal polyethylene resin sample has a gel permeation chromatography (GPC) curve profile deviation (% GPCD) from a target GPC curve profile of less than about 15%; and (c) responsive to step (b), designating the multimodal polyethylene resin sample as a high quality resin.

A process and system for maintaining optimum polymerization production in a loop polymerization reactor by continuously and periodically obtaining polymerization results, such as melt index (MI), production rate and ash content of the polymer produced, determining whether each of the results is within desired ranges, storing and averaging recently obtained results in a database within a reaction rate controller program, and when one of the results is out of the desired range modifying at least one reaction parameter set-point such as monomer concentration, catalyst feed rate and reactor temperature to drive any out-of-range polymerization result(s) toward the desired range for that result.

A foam sensor device is used for monitoring foam within a vessel. The sensor (e.g. accelerometer) is encapsulated inside a water-tight, sterilizable, shell, which floats on a liquid contained. In one example, the foam sensor device includes an accelerometer for detecting and measuring rotation and movement of the foam sensor device and generates movement data based on the detected movement. During a learning or calibration process, sensor data (e.g., movement data) from the foam sensor device is analyzed and classified using machine learning and/or signal processing methods to extract features indicative of different possible foam statuses, including varying levels of foam, or no foam and generate models for the different statuses. During normal operation, the foam sensor device transmits sensor data to an analyzer containing the pre-calibrated models, which determines whether there is foam or not. Based on the foam status, a pump controller adds anti-foam solution.

An apparatus for the production of solid dosage forms is presented, wherein the apparatus comprises a material processing chamber which is operable for manufacturing a product according to a pre-set product formation process path. The apparatus has at least one sensor for continuously monitoring formation of the product in the material processing chamber during the product formation process non-invasively in real time by sensing at least one product functional attribute value and a means for comparing each sensed product functional attribute value with a desirable product functional attribute value for that point on the product formation process path. A controller controls operation of the material processing chamber in response to the sensed product functional attribute value for maintaining the product on the product formation process path.

A method of determining multimodal polyethylene quality comprising the steps of (a) providing a multimodal polyethylene resin sample; (b) determining, in any sequence, the following: that the multimodal polyethylene resin sample has a melt index within 30% of a target melt index; that the multimodal polyethylene resin sample has a density within 2.5% of a target density; that the multimodal polyethylene resin sample has a dynamic viscosity deviation (% MVD) from a target dynamic viscosity of less than about 100%; that the multimodal polyethylene resin sample has a weight average molecular weight (M.sub.w) deviation (% M.sub.wD) from a target M.sub.w of less than about 20%; and that the multimodal polyethylene resin sample has a gel permeation chromatography (GPC) curve profile deviation (% GPCD) from a target GPC curve profile of less than about 15%; and (c) responsive to step (b), designating the multimodal polyethylene resin sample as a high quality resin.

A method of determining multimodal polyethylene quality comprising the steps of (a) providing a multimodal polyethylene resin sample; (b) determining, in any sequence, the following: that the multimodal polyethylene resin sample has a melt index within 30% of a target melt index; that the multimodal polyethylene resin sample has a density within 2.5% of a target density; that the multimodal polyethylene resin sample has a dynamic viscosity deviation (% MVD) from a target dynamic viscosity of less than about 100%; that the multimodal polyethylene resin sample has a weight average molecular weight (M.sub.w) deviation (% M.sub.wD) from a target M.sub.w of less than about 20%; and that the multimodal polyethylene resin sample has a gel permeation chromatography (GPC) curve profile deviation (% GPCD) from a target GPC curve profile of less than about 15%; and (c) responsive to step (b), designating the multimodal polyethylene resin sample as a high quality resin.

A process includes periodically or continuously introducing an olefin monomer and periodically or continuously introducing a catalyst system or catalyst system components into a reaction mixture within a reaction system, oligomerizing the olefin monomer within the reaction mixture to form an oligomer product, and periodically or continuously discharging a reaction system effluent comprising the oligomer product from the reaction system. The reaction system includes a total reaction mixture volume and a heat exchanged portion of the reaction system comprising a heat exchanged reaction mixture volume and a total heat exchanged surface area providing indirect contact between the reaction mixture and a heat exchange medium. A ratio of the total heat exchanged surface area to the total reaction mixture volume within the reaction system is in a range from 0.75 in.sup.−1 to 5 in.sup.−1, and an oligomer product discharge rate from the reaction system is between 1.0 (lb)(hr.sup.−1)(gal.sup.−1) to 6.0 (lb)(hr.sup.−1)(gal.sup.−1).

A device for carrying out a chemical reaction by a continuous method has a reactor with at least two reactor sections which define a direction of flow. The reactor has plug flow properties along the direction of flow. A recirculation line is present to withdraw a partial flow from the reactor at a first point and return it to the reactor at a second point located above the first point in the direction of flow. Means are provided which prevent a temperature increase in the reactor over a predetermined temperature range, for example change of more than approximately 50 K.

A process and system for maintaining optimum polymerization production in a loop polymerization reactor by continuously and periodically obtaining polymerization results, such as melt index (MI), production rate and ash content of the polymer produced, determining whether each of the results is within desired ranges, storing and averaging recently obtained results in a database within a reaction rate controller program, and when one of the results is out of the desired range modifying at least one reaction parameter set-point such as monomer concentration, catalyst feed rate and reactor temperature to drive any out-of-range polymerization result(s) toward the desired range for that result.

A method for minimizing the amount of catalyst inactivating agent that is present in a liquid fraction recovered from a slurry-based polymer production process, the liquid fraction comprising diluent used in the polymer production process, is disclosed. The method includes steps for controlling the pressure over the liquid fraction collected during diluent recovery so as to minimize the concentration of catalyst inactivating agent that is retained in the recovered liquid fraction. Embodiments of apparatus suitable for conducting the disclosed method are also provided.