| abstract |
A process for polymerizing or copolymerizing a member of the group consisting of an alpha olefin or mixtures thereof, consisting of the steps of: n polymerizing an alpha olefin in a polymerization reactor using a polymerization catalyst, a cocatalyst, and an amount of hydrogen adjusted for molecular weight control as measured by melt flow; n rapidly changing the melt flow of the polymerized alpha olefin from high to low melt flow by reacting a portion of the unreacted hydrogen in the reactor with a quantity of the alpha olefin present therein by interaction with a hydrogenation catalyst; and n removing the hydrogenation catalyst from the reactor through continuous exchange of the reactor contents. |