Process and apparatus for the continuous removal of residual hydrocarbons from polyolefins

US4260847A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Hoechst GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Karl Kaiser · Long Beach, US
• Robert Willms · Knapsack, DE
• Bernhard Kuxdorf · Münstermaifeld, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 28, 1980
• Grant date: Apr 7, 1981
• Expiry date: Jan 28, 2000

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C08F6/10
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention relates to an improved process, wherein polyolefins are freed from saturated liquid residual hydrocarbons with the aid of water and steam. The improvement comprises PA1 A. introducing the hydrocarbon-containing polyolefin into an aqueous emulsifier-containing solution having a surface tension at 20.degree. C. of about 50 to 60 dynes/cm with respect to air; stirring the resulting mixture and converting it to a homogeneous dispersion, the aqueous dispersion containing about 10 to 40 weight % of the polyolefin; PA1 B. introducing the dispersion into the upper portion of a column provided with 5 to 30 sieve plates and overflow weirs and contacting the dispersion in countercurrent fashion with steam of about 100.degree. to 120.degree. C.