Solvent exchange column and a method of use therefor
AssigneeFina Technology, Inc.
InventorsJ. Todd Reaves, Aron T. Griffith, Jose M. Sosa, Douglas Berti, Brad Klussmann
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Abstract
The present invention provides a solvent exchange column for continuously exchanging styrene monomer with the solvent used to produce polybutadiene and a method of use therefor. The solvent exchange column includes an exchange plate support structure coupled to and supporting spaced apart exchange plates, wherein each of the exchange plates has holes located therein to allow a passage of fluid therethrough. The solvent exchange column further includes a vapor ventilation system for allowing the volatized solvent to exit the solvent exchange column.
Claims28
A solvent exchange column, comprising:
- an exchange plate support structure;
- spaced apart, exchange plates coupled to and supported by said exchange plate support structure, each of said exchange plates having holes located therein to allow a passage of fluid therethrough;
- and
- a vapor ventilation system having vapor flow vents located on opposite sides of each of said exchange plates and said vents associated with one of said exchange plates are positioned in an offset relationship with respect to said vents associated with an adjacently positioned exchange plate, said system extending through said solvent exchange column and configured to allow a passage of a volatilized substance therethrough.
A method of using a solvent exchange column, comprising:
- passing a fluid, including a solvent, through exchange plates of a solvent exchange column, said exchange plates having holes located therein to allow a passage of said fluid therethrough;
- volatilizing a portion of said solvent from said exchange plates;
- and
- venting a portion of said solvent through a vapor ventilation system of said solvent exchange column, said system having vapor flow vents located on opposite sides of each of said exchange plates and said vents associated with one of said exchange plates are positioned in an offset relationship with respect to said vents associated with an adjacently positioned exchange plate.
A system for preparation of a rubber-modified monovinyl aromatic polymer, comprising:
- a reactor for forming a mixture of a monovinyl aromatic monomer, an unsaturated hydrocarbon having the general formula CnH2n−2 and a solvent;
- a solvent exchange column fluidly coupled to said reactor and including:
- an exchange plate support structure;
- spaced apart, exchange plates coupled to and supported by said exchange plate support structure, each of said exchange plates having holes located therein to allow a passage of fluid therethrough;
- and
- a vapor ventilation system having vapor flow vents located on opposite sides of each of said exchange plates and said vents associated with one of said exchange plates are positioned in an offset relationship with respect to said vents associated with an adjacently positioned exchange plate;
- and
- a styrene polymerization reactor fluidly coupled to said solvent exchange column.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.