Process for cleaning polymerization reactors
AssigneeThe B. F. Goodrich Company
InventorLouis Cohen
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Abstract
In the aqueous polymerization of vinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride polymers and copolymers in reactors having exposed metal surfaces, undesirable thin polymer build up is noted on the metal surface exposed to the polymerization media. Such polymer build up is substantially reduced if before the polymerization the reactor is first mechanically cleaned to remove visible polymer deposits and then cleaned of organic materials adsorbed on the metal surfaces; and thereafter between polymerization charges as required, by treatment with a hot-alkali detergent mixture to remove organic residues from the surface of said metal surfaces.
Claims11
In a process for the aqueous suspension polymerization of a vinylidene halide in reactors containing metal surfaces exposed to said suspension, the improvement comprising conducting said polymerization in reactors wherein said metal surfaces are substantially free of adsorbed organic materials prior to introduction therein of said aqueous suspension into the reactor, whereby the amount of polymer build up on said metal surfaces during polymerization is substantially reduced.
In a process for the aqueous suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride in reactors having exposed metal surface, the improvement which comprises before said polymerization, first removing any visible polymer deposits from the metal surface of said reactors and thereafter removing adsorbed organic materials on said surfaces by treating said metal surfaces with a hot alkali-surface active agent mixture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.