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.