An olefin polymerization process and apparatus wherein a fluid slurry
comprising monomer, diluent and catalyst is circulated in a continuous
loop reactor by two or more pumps. The process and apparatus allow
operating the reaction at significantly higher solids content in the
circulating fluid slurry. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid slurry is
circulated by two impellers arranged so that the downstream impeller
benefits from the rotational energy imparted by the upstream impeller. An
olefin polymerization process operating at higher reactor solids by
virtue of more aggressive circulation has improved efficiencies,
particularly in larger-volume reactors.