Polymeric materials
AssigneeInnospec Limited
InventorsCarl Waterson, Richard David Hayton, Ian Malcolm McRobbie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus for undertaking a chemical reaction includes an elongate housing and a receptacle. The elongate housing may include a cooling means, and end fittings, which may include ports where fluids may be introduced and/or removed. In use of the apparatus, a chemical reaction product is formed within the receptacle. Subsequently the receptacle containing the chemical reaction product is withdrawn from the elongate housing.
Claims25
An Apparatus for undertaking a polymerisation reaction to produce a drag reducing polymer, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) an elongate housing;
- and
- (b) an elongate receptacle within the housing, said receptacle being arranged to receive reagents for reaction in the apparatus to produce a drag reducing polymer, wherein
- said receptacle comprises a plastic film material which has a thickness of at least 20 μm and a thickness of less than 2000 μm;
- and/or
- wherein the internal wall area of the receptacle is defined as the area of the receptacle which is arranged to contain material,
- wherein at least 50% of the internal wall area is defined by a said plastic film material which consists of a single layer.
An Apparatus for undertaking a polymerisation reaction to produce a drag reducing polymer, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) an elongate housing;
- and
- (b) an elongate receptacle within the housing, said receptacle being arranged to receive reagents for reaction in the apparatus to produce a drag reducing polymer,
- wherein the diameter of the receptacle ranges from 1 cm to 45 cm across its entire extent;
- and/or the length of the receptacle ranges from 15 cm to 60m;
- and/or the volume of the receptacle ranges from 12 cm3 to 4m3;
- and/or the aspect ratio of the elongate receptacle, defined as the length of the receptacle divided by the diameter of the receptacle, is at least 10 and less than 600.
An Apparatus for undertaking a polymerisation reaction to produce a drag reducing polymer, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) an elongate housing;
- and
- (b) an elongate receptacle within the housing, said receptacle being arranged to receive reagents for reaction in the apparatus to produce a drag reducing polymer,
- wherein said elongate housing comprises a first elongate tube in which said receptacle is positioned, wherein said receptacle contacts an internal surface of the first elongate tube, wherein at least 60% of the area of an external wall area of said receptacle contacts said internal surface, wherein, optionally, said first elongate tube has a circular cross-section and said receptacle can be arranged to have a circular cross-section, wherein an internal surface of said first elongate tube is uninterrupted across greater than 80% of its area;
- and/or said internal surface is cylindrical, and has a constant cross-section along substantially its entire extent, and
- wherein said receptacle has a substantially circular cross-section in use, along at least 95% of its length;
- and/or the area of the cross-section of the receptacle in use is substantially constant, along at least 90%, of its length, and
- wherein said elongate housing comprises a second elongate tube which is coaxial with said first elongate tube and said first elongate tube is positioned with the second elongate tube, said first and second elongate tubes being radially spaced apart so an annular gap is defined between the first and second elongate tubes, wherein said annular gap defines a fluid passage for a coolant fluid.
Apparatus for undertaking a polymerisation reaction to produce a drag reducing polymer, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) an elongate housing;
- and
- (b) an elongate receptacle within the housing, said receptacle being arranged to receive reagents for reaction in the apparatus to produce a drag reducing polymer, wherein said elongate housing is arranged to support the receptacle which is arranged within the housing;
- wherein said elongate housing includes cooling means for cooling reagents and polymer contained in the receptacle in use;
- and wherein said elongate housing includes inerting means for introducing and/or maintaining an inert atmosphere in and/or around the receptacle.
An Apparatus for undertaking a polymerisation reaction to produce a drag reducing polymer, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) an elongate housing;
- and
- (b) an elongate receptacle within the housing, said receptacle being arranged to receive reagents for reaction in the apparatus to produce a drag reducing polymer, wherein said apparatus includes a container (C1) for containing a coolant fluid, wherein the apparatus is arranged for delivery of coolant fluid from the container (C1) to a region outside said receptacle;
- and/or wherein said apparatus includes a container (C2) for containing a monomer, wherein the apparatus is arranged for delivery of monomer into the receptacle;
- and/or wherein said apparatus includes a container (C3) for containing a catalyst, wherein the apparatus is arranged for delivery of catalyst into the receptacle;
- and/or said apparatus includes a container (C4) for containing an inert fluid, wherein the apparatus is arranged to deliver the inert fluid into the receptacle for inerting the receptacle and/or wherein said apparatus includes a container (C3) for containing a catalyst, wherein the apparatus is arranged for delivery of catalyst into the receptacle;
- and/or said apparatus includes a container (C4) for containing an inert fluid, wherein the apparatus is arranged to deliver the inert fluid into the receptacle for inerting the receptacle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.