Reducing polymer fouling and agglomeration in acrylate/methacrylate processes
AssigneeEcolab USA Inc.
InventorDavid Youdong Tong
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention generally relates to a method for reducing polymer agglomeration or fouling, and its use in processes for the preparation of an acrylate, methacrylic acid, or a methacrylate. According to the present invention, the reagent comprises an alkyl phthalate, an alkaryl phthalate, an aryl phthalate, or a phthalic acid, and applying the reagent to processes for the preparation of an acrylate, methacrylic acid, or a methacrylate to prevent polymeric foulant precursors from agglomerating or to dissolve existing polymeric agglomerates or foulants so as to reduce polymer agglomeration or fouling in the process or storage equipment.
Claims23
A method of dispersing or dissolving a hydrocarbon foulant in a process fluid in contact with processing equipment for the preparation of an acrylate, methacrylic acid, or a methacrylate monomer comprising contacting the foulant with an effective amount of an organic solvent, the organic solvent comprising an alkyl phthalate, an alkaryl phthalate, an aryl phthalate, a phthalic acid, or a combination thereof.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.