Polymer recovery method

• US 20090118466A1
• Filed: 06/20/2005
• Published: 05/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc. (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc. (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Inventors: Jiang, Peijun
• Granted Patent: US 7,858,736 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 528/484
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 10/02 Ethene
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 2/005 by addition of a scale inhibitor to the polymerisation medium
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 210/06 Propene
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 210/14 Monomers containing five or more carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 210/16 Copolymers of ethene with alpha-alkenes, e.g. EP rubbers

Abstract

This invention relates to a process comprising contacting an polymerization reactor effluent with a fluorinated hydrocarbon and thereafter recovering olefin polymer, where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is present at 5 volume % to 99 volume % based upon the volume of the effluent and the fluorinated hydrocarbon, and where the polymerization is a continuous polymerization of at least 75 mole % of hydrocarbon monomers, based upon the total moles of monomer present in the reactor.

Claims

1. A polymer recovery process comprising contacting a polymerization reactor effluent with a fluorinated hydrocarbon and thereafter recovering olefin polymer, where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is present at 5 volume % to 99 volume % based upon the volume of the effluent and the fluorinated hydrocarbon, and where the polymerization is a continuous polymerization of at least 75 mole % of hydrocarbon monomers, based upon the total moles of monomer present in the reactor.

7. The process of claim 1 wherein the fluorinated hydrocarbon is represented by the formula:

C_xH_yF_z wherein x is an integer from 1 to 40, y is an integer greater than or equal to 0 and z is an integer and is at least one.

8. The process of claim 7 wherein the fluorinated hydrocarbon comprises a perfluorinated hydrocarbon.

9. The process of claim 1 where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is not a perfluorinated C4 to C10 alkane.

10. The process of claim 1 wherein the fluorinated hydrocarbon comprises a hydrofluorocarbon.

11. The process of claim 1 wherein the fluorinated hydrocarbon comprises one or more of fluoromethane;

difluoromethane;

trifluoromethane;

fluoroethane;

1,1-difluoroethane;

1,2-difluoroethane;

1,1,1-trifluoroethane;

1,1,2-trifluoroethane;

1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane;

1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoroethane;

1-fluoropropane;

2-fluoropropane;

1,1-difluoropropane;

1,2-difluoropropane;

1,3-difluoropropane;

2,2-difluoropropane;

1,1,1-trifluoropropane;

1,1,2-trifluoropropane;

1,1,3-trifluoropropane;

1,2,2-trifluoropropane;

1,2,3-trifluoropropane;

1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,2,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,2,2,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane;

1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane;

1-fluorobutane;

2-fluorobutane;

1,1-difluorobutane;

1,2-difluorobutane;

1,3-difluorobutane;

1,4-difluorobutane;

2,2-difluorobutane;

2,3-difluorobutane;

1,1,1-trifluorobutane;

1,1,2-trifluorobutane;

1,1,3-trifluorobutane;

1,1,4-trifluorobutane;

1,2,2-trifluorobutane;

1,2,3-trifluorobutane;

1,3,3-trifluorobutane;

2,2,3-trifluorobutane;

1,1,1,2-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,1,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,2,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,3,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,4,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,2,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,3,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,3,4-tetrafluorobutane;

2,2,3,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,4,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,4,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,3,3,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluorobutane, 1,1,1,2,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,3,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,4,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,3,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,3,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,4,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,4,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-nonafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane;

1-fluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1-difluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,3-difluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3-trifluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,3-difluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3-trifluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

fluorocyclobutane;

1,1-difluorocyclobutane;

1,2-difluorocyclobutane;

1,3-difluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2-trifluorocyclobutane;

1,1,3-trifluorocyclobutane;

1,2,3-trifluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2,3-pentafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,3,3-pentafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,4-hexafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,3,3,4-hexafluorocyclobutane; and

1,1,2,2,3,3,4-heptafluorocyclobutane.

12. The process claim 1 wherein the fluorinated hydrocarbon comprises one or more of difluoromethane, trifluoromethane, 1,1-difluoroethane, 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, fluoromethane, and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.

13. The process claim 1 wherein the fluorinated hydrocarbon comprises one or more of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane, octafluorocyclobutane, and 2,3-dihydrodecafluoropentane.

14. The process of claim 1 where fluorinated hydrocarbon is added to the polymerization reactor effluent after exiting the reactor.

15. The process of claim 1 where fluorinated hydrocarbon is added to the polymerization reactor effluent before exiting the reactor.

16. The process of claim 1 where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is present at 5 to 99 volume % based upon the volume of the effluent and the fluorinated hydrocarbon.

17. The process of claim 16 where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is present at 10 to 80 volume % based upon the volume of the effluent and the fluorinated hydrocarbon.

18. The process of claim 17 where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is present at 20 to 50 volume % based upon the volume of the effluent and the fluorinated hydrocarbon.

19. The process of claim 18 where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is present at 25 to 50 volume % based upon the volume of the effluent and the fluorinated hydrocarbon.

20. The process of claim 19 where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is present at 30 to 40 volume % based upon the volume of the effluent and the fluorinated hydrocarbon.

21. The process of claim 1 where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is introduced into a flash tank.

22. The process of claim 21 where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is combined with the polymerization reactor effluent and thereafter the combination is introduced into a flash tank.

23. The process of claim 1 where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is introduced into a purge vessel.

24. The process of claim 23 where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is combined with the polymerization reactor effluent and thereafter the combination is introduced into a purge vessel.

25. The process of claim 1 where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is introduced into a settling tank.

26. The process of claim 25 where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is combined with the polymerization reactor effluent and thereafter the combination is introduced into a settling tank.

27. The process of claim 1 where the effluent is split into streams, including a waste stream, and the waste stream is passed through activated carbon to remove at least a portion of the fluorocarbon.

28. The process of claim 1 where the effluent is split into streams, including a waste stream, and the waste stream is passed through activated carbon prior to being sent to a flare.

29. The process of claim 1 where the hydrocarbon monomers are not vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons.

30. The process of claim 1 where the hydrocarbon monomers are aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbons.

31. The process of claim 1 where the hydrocarbon monomers are linear or branched alpha-olefins.

32. The process of claim 1 where the hydrocarbon monomers are ethylene, propylene, butene, pentene, hexene, heptene, octene, nonene, decene, undecene, dodecene, or mixtures thereof.

33. The process of claim 1 where the continuous polymerization process is conducted in the presence of fluorocarbon and additional fluorocarbon is added to the effluent.

2. A polymer recovery process comprising devolatilizing a polymerization reactor effluent by contacting the effluent with a fluorinated hydrocarbon, and thereafter removing volatiles from the effluent.

34. The process of claim 2 wherein the fluorinated hydrocarbon comprises one or more of fluoromethane;

difluoromethane;

trifluoromethane;

fluoroethane;

1,1-difluoroethane;

1,2-difluoroethane;

1,1,1-trifluoroethane;

1,1,2-trifluoroethane;

1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane;

1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoroethane;

1-fluoropropane;

2-fluoropropane;

1,1-difluoropropane;

1,2-difluoropropane;

1,3-difluoropropane;

2,2-difluoropropane;

1,1,1-trifluoropropane;

1,1,2-trifluoropropane;

1,1,3-trifluoropropane;

1,2,2-trifluoropropane;

1,2,3-trifluoropropane;

1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,2,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,2,2,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane;

1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane;

1-fluorobutane;

2-fluorobutane;

1,1-difluorobutane;

1,2-difluorobutane;

1,3-difluorobutane;

1,4-difluorobutane;

2,2-difluorobutane;

2,3-difluorobutane;

1,1,1-trifluorobutane;

1,1,2-trifluorobutane;

1,1,3-trifluorobutane;

1,1,4-trifluorobutane;

1,2,2-trifluorobutane;

1,2,3-trifluorobutane;

1,3,3-trifluorobutane;

2,2,3-trifluorobutane;

1,1,1,2-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,1,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,2,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,3,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,4,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,2,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,3,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,3,4-tetrafluorobutane;

2,2,3,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,4,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,4,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,3,3,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluorobutane, 1,1,1,2,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,3,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,4,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,3,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,3,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,4,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,4,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-nonafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane;

1-fluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1-difluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,3-difluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3-trifluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,3-difluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3-trifluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

fluorocyclobutane;

1,1-difluorocyclobutane;

1,2-difluorocyclobutane;

1,3-difluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2-trifluorocyclobutane;

1,1,3-trifluorocyclobutane;

1,2,3-trifluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2,3-pentafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,3,3-pentafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,4-hexafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,3,3,4-hexafluorocyclobutane; and

1,1,2,2,3,3,4-heptafluorocyclobutane.

35. The process of claim 2 where fluorinated hydrocarbon is added to the polymerization reactor effluent after exiting the reactor.

36. The process claim 2 where fluorinated hydrocarbon is added to the polymerization reactor effluent before exiting the reactor.

37. The process of claim 2 where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is introduced into a flash tank, settling tank or purge vessel.

38. The process of claim 2 where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is combined with the polymerization reactor effluent and thereafter the combination is introduced into a flash tank, settling tank or purge vessel.

39. The process of claim 2 where the effluent is split into streams, including a waste stream, and the waste stream is passed through activated carbon to remove at least a portion of the fluorocarbon.

40. The process of claim 2 where the effluent is split into streams, including a waste stream, and the waste stream is passed through activated carbon prior to being sent to a flare.

41. The process of claim 2 where the hydrocarbon monomers are ethylene, propylene, butene, pentene, hexene, heptene, octene, nonene, decene, undecene, dodecene, or mixtures thereof.

3. A polymer recovery process comprising reducing agglomeration in a polymerization reactor effluent by contacting the effluent with a fluorinated hydrocarbon.

42. The process of claim 3 wherein the fluorinated hydrocarbon comprises one or more of fluoromethane;

difluoromethane;

trifluoromethane;

fluoroethane;

1,1-difluoroethane;

1,2-difluoroethane;

1,1,1-trifluoroethane;

1,1,2-trifluoroethane;

1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane;

1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoroethane;

1-fluoropropane;

2-fluoropropane;

1,1,1-difluoropropane;

1,2-difluoropropane;

1,3-difluoropropane;

2,2-difluoropropane;

1,1,1-trifluoropropane;

1,1,2-trifluoropropane;

1,1,3-trifluoropropane;

1,2,2-trifluoropropane;

1,2,3-trifluoropropane;

1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,2,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,2,2,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane;

1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane;

1-fluorobutane;

2-fluorobutane;

1,1-difluorobutane;

1,2-difluorobutane;

1,3-difluorobutane;

1,4-difluorobutane;

2,2-difluorobutane;

2,3-difluorobutane;

1,1,1-trifluorobutane;

1,1,2-trifluorobutane;

1,1,3-trifluorobutane;

1,1,4-trifluorobutane;

1,2,2-trifluorobutane;

1,2,3-trifluorobutane;

1,3,3-trifluorobutane;

2,2,3-trifluorobutane;

1,1,1,2-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,1,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,2,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,3,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,4,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,2,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,3,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,3,4-tetrafluorobutane;

2,2,3,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,4,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,4,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,3,3,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluorobutane, 1,1,1,2,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,3,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,4,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,3,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,3,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,4,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,4,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-nonafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane;

1-fluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1-difluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,3-difluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3-trifluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,3-difluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3-trifluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

fluorocyclobutane;

1,1-difluorocyclobutane;

1,2-difluorocyclobutane;

1,3-difluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2-trifluorocyclobutane;

1,1,3-trifluorocyclobutane;

1,2,3-trifluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2,3-pentafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,3,3-pentafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,4-hexafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,3,3,4-hexafluorocyclobutane; and

1,1,2,2,3,3,4-heptafluorocyclobutane.

43. The process of claim 3 where fluorinated hydrocarbon is added to the polymerization reactor effluent after exiting the reactor.

44. The process claim 3 where fluorinated hydrocarbon is added to the polymerization reactor effluent before exiting the reactor.

45. The process of claim 3 where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is introduced into a flash tank, settling tank or purge vessel.

46. The process of claim 3 where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is combined with the polymerization reactor effluent and thereafter the combination is introduced into a flash tank, settling tank or purge vessel.

47. The process of claim 3 where the effluent is split into streams, including a waste stream, and the waste stream is passed through activated carbon to remove at least a portion of the fluorocarbon.

48. The process of claim 3 where the effluent is split into streams, including a waste stream, and the waste stream is passed through activated carbon prior to being sent to a flare.

49. The process of claim 3 where the hydrocarbon monomers are ethylene, propylene, butene, pentene, hexene, heptene, octene, nonene, decene, undecene, dodecene, or mixtures thereof.

4. A polymer recovery process comprising reducing accumulation of polymer on surfaces of processing equipment from a polymerization reactor effluent by contacting the effluent with a fluorinated hydrocarbon.

58. The process of claim 4 wherein the fluorinated hydrocarbon comprises one or more of fluoromethane;

difluoromethane;

trifluoromethane;

fluoroethane;

1,1-difluoroethane;

1,2-difluoroethane;

1,1,1-trifluoroethane;

1,1,2-trifluoroethane;

1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane;

1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoroethane;

1-fluoropropane;

2-fluoropropane;

1,1-difluoropropane;

1,2-difluoropropane;

1,3-difluoropropane;

2,2-difluoropropane;

1,1,1-trifluoropropane;

1,1,2-trifluoropropane;

1,1,3-trifluoropropane;

1,2,2-trifluoropropane;

1,2,3-trifluoropropane;

1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,2,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,2,2,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane;

1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane;

1-fluorobutane;

2-fluorobutane;

1,1-difluorobutane;

1,2-difluorobutane;

1,3-difluorobutane;

1,4-difluorobutane;

2,2-difluorobutane;

2,3-difluorobutane;

1,1,1-trifluorobutane;

1,1,2-trifluorobutane;

1,1,3-trifluorobutane;

1,1,4-trifluorobutane;

1,2,2-trifluorobutane;

1,2,3-trifluorobutane;

1,3,3-trifluorobutane;

2,2,3-trifluorobutane;

1,1,1,2-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,1,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,2,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,3,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,4,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,2,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,3,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,3,4-tetrafluorobutane;

2,2,3,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,4,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,4,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,3,3,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluorobutane, 1,1,1,2,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,3,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,4,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,3,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,3,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,4,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,4,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-nonafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane;

1-fluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1-difluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,3-difluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3-trifluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,3-difluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3-trifluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

fluorocyclobutane;

1,1-difluorocyclobutane;

1,2-difluorocyclobutane;

1,3-difluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2-trifluorocyclobutane;

1,1,3-trifluorocyclobutane;

1,2,3-trifluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2,3-pentafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,3,3-pentafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,4-hexafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,3,3,4-hexafluorocyclobutane; and

1,1,2,2,3,3,4-heptafluorocyclobutane.

59. The process of claim 4 where fluorinated hydrocarbon is added to the polymerization reactor effluent after exiting the reactor.

60. The process claim 4 where fluorinated hydrocarbon is added to the polymerization reactor effluent before exiting the reactor.

5. A polymer recovery process comprising precipitating polymer from a polymerization reactor effluent by contacting the effluent with a fluorinated hydrocarbon in an amount effective to cause precipitation of at least 1 weight % of the polymer present and thereafter recovering precipitated polymer, where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is present at 5 volume % to 99 volume % based upon the volume of the effluent and the fluorinated hydrocarbon, and where the polymerization is a continuous polymerization of at least 75 mole % of hydrocarbon monomers, based upon the total moles of monomer present in the reactor.

6. A polymer recovery process comprising separating polymer from a polymerization reactor effluent comprising contacting the effluent with a fluorinated hydrocarbon, forming a polymer rich phase and a polymer lean phase, and thereafter recovering polymer from the polymer rich phase, where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is present at 5 volume % to 99 volume % based upon the volume of the effluent and the fluorinated hydrocarbon, and where the polymerization is a continuous polymerization of at least 75 mole % of hydrocarbon monomers, based upon the total moles of monomer present in the reactor.

50. The process of claim 6 wherein the fluorinated hydrocarbon comprises one or more of fluoromethane;

difluoromethane;

trifluoromethane;

fluoroethane;

1,1-difluoroethane;

1,2-difluoroethane;

1,1,1-trifluoroethane;

1,1,2-trifluoroethane;

1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane;

1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoroethane;

1-fluoropropane;

2-fluoropropane;

1,1-difluoropropane;

1,2-difluoropropane;

1,3-difluoropropane;

2,2-difluoropropane;

1,1,1-trifluoropropane;

1,1,2-trifluoropropane;

1,1,3-trifluoropropane;

1,2,2-trifluoropropane;

1,2,3-trifluoropropane;

1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,2,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,2,2,3-tetrafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane;

1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoropropane;

1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane;

1-fluorobutane;

2-fluorobutane;

1,1-difluorobutane;

1,2-difluorobutane;

1,3-difluorobutane;

1,4-difluorobutane;

2,2-difluorobutane;

2,3-difluorobutane;

1,1,1-trifluorobutane;

1,1,2-trifluorobutane;

1,1,3-trifluorobutane;

1,1,4-trifluorobutane;

1,2,2-trifluorobutane;

1,2,3-trifluorobutane;

1,3,3-trifluorobutane;

2,2,3-trifluorobutane;

1,1,1,2-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,1,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,2,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,3,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,4,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,2,4-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,3,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,2,3,4-tetrafluorobutane;

2,2,3,3-tetrafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,4,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,2,4,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,3,3,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3,3-pentafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3,4-pentafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluorobutane, 1,1,1,2,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,2,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,2,3,4,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,2,2,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,3,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,4,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,3,3,4,4-heptafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,3,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,4,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,3,4,4,4-octafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-nonafluorobutane;

1,1,1,2,2,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane;

1-fluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1-difluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,3-difluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3-trifluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,3-difluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3-trifluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoro-2-methylpropane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-(fluoromethyl)propane;

fluorocyclobutane;

1,1-difluorocyclobutane;

1,2-difluorocyclobutane;

1,3-difluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2-trifluorocyclobutane;

1,1,3-trifluorocyclobutane;

1,2,3-trifluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2-tetrafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,3,3-tetrafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2,3-pentafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,3,3-pentafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,2,3,4-hexafluorocyclobutane;

1,1,2,3,3,4-hexafluorocyclobutane; and

1,1,2,2,3,3,4-heptafluorocyclobutane.

51. The process of claim 6 where fluorinated hydrocarbon is added to the polymerization reactor effluent after exiting the reactor.

52. The process claim 6 where fluorinated hydrocarbon is added to the polymerization reactor effluent before exiting the reactor.

53. The process of claim 6 where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is introduced into a flash tank, settling tank or purge vessel.

54. The process of claim 6 where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is combined with the polymerization reactor effluent and thereafter the combination is introduced into a flash tank, settling tank or purge vessel.

55. The process of claim 6 where the effluent is split into streams, including a waste stream, and the waste stream is passed through activated carbon to remove at least a portion of the fluorocarbon.

56. The process of claim 6 where the effluent is split into streams, including a waste stream, and the waste stream is passed through activated carbon prior to being sent to a flare.

57. The process of claim 6 where the hydrocarbon monomers are ethylene, propylene, butene, pentene, hexene, heptene, octene, nonene, decene, undecene, dodecene, or mixtures thereof.