Polymer impurity removal method based on steam distillation

A method for removing volatile organic compounds (VOC) in a polymer, reducing polymer odor, and removing inorganic ash, comprising the step of:

• in a reaction system, continuously contacting water vapor, in a phase equilibrium state, with the polymer for 0.5-6 hours by:
• (a) loading polymer in an equipment, wherein the equipment is a vertical or horizontal equipment;
• (b) passing the water vapor, in the phase equilibrium state, through the equipment, continuously and directly contacting the polymer for 0.5-6 hours, while discharging the water vapor after contacting the polymer, wherein a temperature of the water vapor is 100-200° C.;
• (c) dehydrating and drying the polymer;
• and
• (d) discharging and collecting the dehydrated and dried polymer;
• wherein the method removes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odor-forming components from the polymer by the continuous contacting of the polymer with the water vapor, so as to dissolve and remove the inorganic ash from the polymer;
• and
• wherein during the contacting of the polymer with the water vapor, an oxygen content of the reaction system is lower than 0.1% (v/v).