Process for the continuous production of polymers and copolymers of water-soluble monomers
First Claim
1. In a process for the continuous production of polymers and copolymers of water-soluble monomers, by polymerization of an aqueous monomer solution containing 2.2-8.3 moles of polymerizable double bonds per kilo of monomer solution at a temperature in the range from about -10 to 120°
- C., the liquid reaction components being applied in a layer at least one centimeter thick on a moving endless conveyor belt and polymerized, the improvement which comprises adding the liquid reaction components to a trough formed by the moving conveyor belt, the trough shape of the conveyor belt being continuously changed to an extended and flat profile during the polymerization of the reaction components, and the resulting polymer gel strand being continuously released from the side edges towards the center of the trough formed by the conveyor belt, as the curved trough shape of the conveyor belt changes to the extended, flat profile, the release of the polymer gel strand from the surface of the conveyor belt, as a result of the changing shape of the trough formed by the conveyor belt during the course of polymerization, proceeding under the condition P>
A.F. wherein P is the force with which the conveyor belt is converted from the trough shape to the extended, flat profile;
A. is the contact area between the gel strand and the conveyor belt; and
F. is the force of adhesion of the gel strand to the conveyor belt.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the continuous production of polymers and copolymers of water-soluble monomers particularly arcylic acid and/or methacrylic acid, optionally with additional comonomers, by the polymerization of an aqueous monomer solution that is introduced into the trough that is formed by an endless conveyor belt. The trough-like shape of the conveyor belt changes continuously into an extended flat profile during the polymerization process; starting from the side edges and working towards the center of the trough formed by the conveyor belt, the resulting polymer gel strand is released continuously during the transition of the curved trough-like shape of the conveyor belt into the extended, flat form.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. In a process for the continuous production of polymers and copolymers of water-soluble monomers, by polymerization of an aqueous monomer solution containing 2.2-8.3 moles of polymerizable double bonds per kilo of monomer solution at a temperature in the range from about -10 to 120°
- C., the liquid reaction components being applied in a layer at least one centimeter thick on a moving endless conveyor belt and polymerized, the improvement which comprises adding the liquid reaction components to a trough formed by the moving conveyor belt, the trough shape of the conveyor belt being continuously changed to an extended and flat profile during the polymerization of the reaction components, and the resulting polymer gel strand being continuously released from the side edges towards the center of the trough formed by the conveyor belt, as the curved trough shape of the conveyor belt changes to the extended, flat profile, the release of the polymer gel strand from the surface of the conveyor belt, as a result of the changing shape of the trough formed by the conveyor belt during the course of polymerization, proceeding under the condition P>
A.F. wherein P is the force with which the conveyor belt is converted from the trough shape to the extended, flat profile;
A. is the contact area between the gel strand and the conveyor belt; and
F. is the force of adhesion of the gel strand to the conveyor belt. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
- C., the liquid reaction components being applied in a layer at least one centimeter thick on a moving endless conveyor belt and polymerized, the improvement which comprises adding the liquid reaction components to a trough formed by the moving conveyor belt, the trough shape of the conveyor belt being continuously changed to an extended and flat profile during the polymerization of the reaction components, and the resulting polymer gel strand being continuously released from the side edges towards the center of the trough formed by the conveyor belt, as the curved trough shape of the conveyor belt changes to the extended, flat profile, the release of the polymer gel strand from the surface of the conveyor belt, as a result of the changing shape of the trough formed by the conveyor belt during the course of polymerization, proceeding under the condition P>
Specification