A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid
medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization
effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids,
comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a
slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first
intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by
substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal
equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids
and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (l) as to
maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the
exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously
discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom
product of the first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal
chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight
sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than
the angle of slide of the polymer solids which remain after removal of
about 50 to 100% of the inert diluent therefrom to a second flash tank at
a lower pressure.