Process for the manufacture of halogenated polymers
AssigneeExxon Research & Engineering Co.
InventorsNeil F. Newman, Ronald C. Kowalski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Continuous halogenation of polymers is achieved in an extruder-reactor employing reactants, conditions and design features directed to maximizing mixing and contact of the polymer with the halogenating agent and neutralizing agent while simultaneously minimizing side reactions and polymer degradation. The polymer passes through three extruder-reactor zones under controlled conditions to achieve halogenation: feed, reaction, neutralization, and optionally a wash and exit zone. Various halogenated polymers are produced, for example, halogenated linear low density polyethylene and halogenated butyl rubber.
Claims48
A process for the continuous production of halogenated polymer by reacting said polymer and a halogenating agent in an extruder-reactor, said extruder-reactor comprising feed zone (A), reaction zone (B) and neutralization zone (C) in sequence;
- screw means traversing zones (A) through (C);
- first flow restriction means following said feed zone;
- injection means for supplying said halogenating agent to said reaction zone;
- mixing means for subjecting said polymer in said reaction zone to a high degree of mixing;
- second flow restriction means disposed between said reaction zone and said neutralization zone;
- and injection means for supplying neutralizing agent to the product mixture produced in said reaction zone;
- further comprising subjecting polymer in said feed zone to conditions of temperature and pressure sufficient to generate a cohesive mass;
- conveying said mass past said first restriction means to said reaction zone;
- halogenating said polymer in said reaction zone by injecting said halogenating agent at a position filled with said polymer and subjecting the reactants to a high degree of mixing;
- conveying said product mixture past said second restriction means;
- injecting said neutralizing agent and neutralizing said product mixture with said neutralizing agent in said neutralizing zone;
- and delivering said halogenated polymer product from the extruder-reactor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.