Appeal No. 1998-3232 Page 3
Application No. 08/738,920
introducing the polymerization reaction mixture to a
high pressure separation conditions comprising a
temperature of at least about 40 C below that in theo
polymerization reaction zone, and a pressure at
least
about 350 bars lower than that in the polymerization
reaction zone pressure to separate the
polymerization reaction mixture into a light phase
and a dense phase; and
wherein the light phase comprises a major proportion
of unreacted monomers, and the dense phase contains
a major proportion of copolymer;
feeding a fresh supply of ethylene to said
polymerization reaction mixture maintained under
said high pressure separation conditions;
wherein said fresh supply of ethylene reduces the
concentration of 1-olefin in the light phase, and
thus reduces the solubility of the copolymer in the
light phase and withdrawing the dense phase; and
introducing said light phase to said equipment
downstream of said high pressure separation.
The prior art references of record relied upon by the
examiner in rejecting the appealed claims are:
Kleintjens 4,725,667 Feb. 16,
1988
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