Agglomeration of solid peroxides

Abstract

The present application discloses a process for the production of agglomerates of peroxides that are solid at room temperature and which decompose rapidly when heated to their melting point. The process comprises agitating an aqueous suspension comprising a solid first peroxide which rapidly decomposes when heated to its melting point and a solid second peroxide which does not rapidly decompose when heated to its melting point and has a melting point which is substantially lower than the temperature at which said first peroxide rapidly decomposes, at a temperature sufficient to at least partially melt said second peroxide and below the decomposition temperature of said first peroxide to produce agglomerates comprised of said first and second peroxides; cooling with continued agitation the aqueous suspension having agglomerates to a temperature at which said second peroxide turns solid; and isolating the agglomerates. Also disclosed is a process such as that described above wherein a solvent immiscible with water is employed to aid the agglomeration process. The agglomerated peroxides are particularly useful in the polymerization of vinyl chloride monomers and the curing of unsaturated polyester resins.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.