Method for production of shaped hydrogel of absorbent resin

Abstract

A method for the continuous production of a shaped hydrogel of absorbent resin is disclosed. This invention accomplishes the continuous production by continuously supplying in the form of a layer a monomer mixture capable of forming an absorbent resin by polymerization and polymerizing the layer of the monomer mixture. This method is characterized by retaining the rate of change of the thickness in the direction of width of the layer of hydrogel of absorbent resin at the time of formation of gel at a level of not more than 20%. The method is advantageously carried out by the use of an apparatus for the production of a shaped hydrogel of absorbent resin which comprises a movable endless revolving support belt, a monomer mixture supplying device, and a device for discharging the shaped hydrogel of absorbent resin, the apparatus preferably being provided near each of the opposite lateral parts of the movable endless revolving support belt with a lateral weir adapted to move in concert with the belt or being provided near each of the opposite lateral parts of the movable endless revolving support belt with a lateral weir fixed in such a manner as to contact the belt in a sliding state. The method of this invention permits production of a shaped hydrogel of absorbent resin intended to afford an absorbent resin which exhibits high absorption capacity, little water-soluble content and little residual monomer only in small amounts, and enjoys a high productivity rate.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.