Emergency polymerization inhibitor system for vinyl aromatic compounds
AssigneeCosden Technology, Inc.
InventorJames M. Watson
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Abstract
Disclosed is a method for preventing the polymerization of a readily polymerizable vinyl aromatic compound during distillation at elevated temperatures within a distillation apparatus which is subject to an emergency condition, such as a power outage. This method comprises force feeding a supplemental polymerization inhibitor having a high solubility in the vinyl aromatic compound, and a long duration of efficiency, into each of the distillation vessels of a conventional distillation apparatus in an amount sufficient to prevent polymerization therein. In the preferred embodiment the supplemental polymerization inhibitor comprises 2,6-dinitro-p-cresol and meta-nitro-para-cresol.
Claims11
A method for preventing the polymerization of a readily polymerizable vinyl aromatic compound during distillation a distillation conditions of elevated temperature within a distillation apparatus having at least one distillation column, said vinyl aromatic compound containing a primary polymerization inhibitor system which is sufficient to substantially prevent polymerization of the vinyl aromatic compound under normal distillation conditions, said method comprising the steps of;
- a. providing a pressurized solution of a polymerization inhibitor in an aromatic hydrocarbon diluent for use as a supplemental emergency polymerization inhibitor, said inhibitor being readily soluble in said diluent, said pressurized solution being selectively connected with each distillation column;
- and,
- b. force-feeding said solution into each distillation column of said distillation system in an amount sufficient to prevent polymerization of the vinyl aromatic compound therein in response to a change in distillation conditions which renders said primary polymerization inhibitor inoperative for its intended purpose.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.