Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha

Takashi Onda

Norio Kawanami

Nobuo Ogawa

Shingi Kato

A method for coagulating a latex of a synthetic polymer having a coagulated latex particle formation temperature to form substantially spherical particles, the method comprising: forming substantially spherical latex particles by dispersing substantially spherical drops of the latex into a vessel or chamber containing a coagulating atmosphere which can be (i) a gaseous coagulant or (ii) a liquid coagulant in the form of a mist of drops having diameters such that the terminal settling velocity of the drops under free-falling conditions is in accordance with Stokes' Law, while maintaining the coagulant at the coagulated latex particle formation temperature and while causing water at the coagulated latex particle formation temperature to flow downward over the inner surface of the coagulation vessel to cause pluralities of polymer particles in a drop of the latex to coagulate to form substantially spherical coagulated latex particles. Contact is maintained between the spherical drops of latex and the coagulating atmosphere for a time effective to permit said drops to absorb about 0.36 to 8% by weight of coagulant based on the weight of the polymer, to stabilize said drops. The substantially spherical particles are separated and recovered.

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Takasago, Japan

Takashi Onda