Multimodal polyolefin polymers may be prepared in series-connected polymerization
reactors where a prior reactor is a slurry reactor employing light solvent as the
slurry medium and hydrogen to limit polymer molecular weight, the polymer product
from the prior reactor being substantially freed of hydrogen prior to entry into
a subsequent polymerization reactor operating at low hydrogen pressure to produce
a high molecular weight olefin. The economics and operating performance of such
a series slurry reactor polyethylene process can be significantly improved through
the use of an intermediate slurry transfer system and hydrogen removal apparatus
that employs flash drums in series in conjunction with a warm recycle solvent slurry diluent.