Cosden Technology, Inc.

Robert A Fuller

Jeffrey D Morris

John L Stevenson

Disclosed is a process and apparatus for the continuous mass polymerization of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers. The process comprises the steps of continuously introducing a feed comprising a predetermined ratio of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers into a reaction vessel to produce a reaction mixture; subjecting the reaction mixture to conditions of temperature and pressure under which said monomers copolymerize to produce a styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer; subjecting the reaction mixture to agitation; continuously withdrawing styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer from the reaction vessel; and by withdrawing vapour phase from the reaction vessel in a controlled amount by varying the amount of cooled surface available for condensing the vapors, condensing the vapors by contact with the cooled surface and returning the condensate to the reaction vessel. The process and apparatus also include a novel means for devolatilizing the product copolymer.

Process for producing styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymers

A process and apparatus for the continuous mass polymerization of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers. The process comprises the steps of continuously introducing a feed comprising a predetermined ratio of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers into a reaction vessel to produce a reaction mixture; subjecting the reaction mixture to conditions of temperature and pressure under which said monomers copolymerize to produce a styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer; subjecting the reaction mixture to horizontal agitation by rotationally agitating the reaction mixture within the reaction vessel by means of at least one stirring device; subjecting the reaction mixture to vertical agitation by withdrawing a portion of the reaction mixture from a position near the bottom of the reaction vessel, circulating the withdrawn portion in at least one closed loop externally of the reaction vessel and reintroducing the withdrawn portion at a position near the top of the reaction vessel; continuously withdrawing styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer from the reaction vessel. The process and apparatus also involve novel means for evaporatively cooling the reaction mixture and for devolatilizing the product copolymer.

Apparatus for producing styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymers

A process and apparatus for the continuous mass polymerization of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers. The process comprises the steps of continuously introducing a feed comprising a predetermined ratio of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers into a reaction vessel to produce a reaction mixture; subjecting the reaction mixture to conditions of temperature and pressure under which said monomers copolymerize to produce a styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer; subjecting the reaction mixture to sufficient agitation; continuously withdrawing styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer from the reaction vessel; and devolatilizing the styrenic/alkenylnitrile withdrawn from the reaction vessel by a two-stage procedure including first adjusting the ratio of styrenic to alkenylnitrile monomer therein followed by heating to volatilize the volatile components and then separation of volatile components.

Disclosed is a process and apparatus for the continuous mass polymerization of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers. The process comprises the steps of continuously introducing a feed comprising a predetermined ratio of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers into a reaction vessel to produce a reaction mixture; subjecting the reaction mixture to conditions of temperature and pressure under which said monomers copolymerize to produce a styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer; subjecting the reaction mixture to agitation; continuously withdrawing styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer from the reaction vessel; and by withdrawing vapor phase from the reaction vessel in a controlled amount by varying the amount of cooled surface available for condensing the vapors, condensing the vapors by contact with the cooled surface and returning the condensate to the reaction vessel. The process and apparatus also include a novel means for devolatilizing the product copolymer.

Disclosed is a process for the continuous mass polymerization of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers. The process comprises the steps of continuously introducing a feed comprising a predetermined ratio of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers into a reaction vessel to produce a reaction mixture; subjecting the reaction mixture to conditions of temperature and pressure under which said monomers copolymerize to produce a styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer; subjecting the reaction mixture to sufficient agitation; continuously withdrawing styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer from the reaction vessel; and devolatilizing the styrenic/alkenylnitrile withdrawn from the reaction vessel by a two-stage procedure including first adjusting the ratio of styrenic to alkenylnitrile monomer therein followed by heating to volatilize the volatile components and then separation of volatile components.

A process and apparatus for the continuous mass polymerization of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers. The process comprises the steps of continuously introducing a feed comprising a predetermined ratio of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers into a reaction vessel to produce a reaction mixture; subjecting the reaction mixture to conditions of temperature and pressure under which said monomers copolymerize to produce a styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer; subjecting the reaction mixture to agitation; continuously withdrawing styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer from the reaction vessel; and by withdrawing vapor phase from the reaction vessel in a controlled amount by varying the amount of cooled surface available for condensing the vapors, condensing the vapors by contact with the cooled surface and returning the condensate to the reaction vessel. The process and apparatus also include a novel means for devolatilizing the product copolymer.

Disclosed is a process and apparatus for the continuous mass polymerization of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers. The process comprises the steps of continuously introducing a feed comprising a predetermined ratio of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers into a reaction vessel to produce a reaction mixture; subjecting the reaction mixture to conditions of temperature and pressure under which said monomers copolymerize to produce a styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer; subjecting the reaction mixture to horizontal agitation by rotationally agitating the reaction mixture within the reaction vessel by means of at least one stirring device; subjecting the reaction mixture to vertical agitation by withdrawing a portion of the reaction mixture from a position near the bottom of the reaction vessel, circulating the withdrawn portion in at least one closed loop externally of the reaction vessel and reintroducing the withdrawn portion at a position near the top of the reaction vessel; continuously withdrawing styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer from the reaction vessel. The process and apparatus also involve novel means for evaporatively cooling the reaction mixture and for devolatilizing the product copolymer.

A process for the preparation of high gloss, high impact vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons which process comprises (1) subjecting a solution of rubber and vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer to mass polymerization conditions in the presence of a chain transfer agent for a period of 4 to 10 hours until the reaction mass reaches a viscosity of 1800 to 2000 cps., said chain transfer agent being introduced into the reaction mass in two portions, a first portion representing 50 to 90% of the total chain transfer agent to be present during the mass polymerization and being added to said solution at or before the beginning of said mass polymerization and a second portion representing 10 to 50% being added just prior to the end of said mass polymerization, (2) subjecting said reaction mass to suspension polymerization conditions and (3) recovering high impact polymeric vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons having improved high gloss characteristics.

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Big Spring, TX, United States of America

Robert A Fuller