Patent · US Expired

Centrifugal devolatilizer

US4940472A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
4References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 17, 1989
Grant dateJul 10, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 17, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB01J2219/00189
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A devolatilization apparatus is provided which removes volatiles from a variety of polymer products utilizing centrifugal forces to control the residence time of the polymer in the devolatilizer. Volatiles are efficiently removed without degrading the polymer product. The devolatilizer includes a rotatable annular chamber having an inlet, a first outlet located at a first distance from the axis of rotation of the chamber, and a second outlet located at a second distance from the axis of rotation of the chamber. Means are also provided for supplying a polymer, in liquid form, to the inlet to the annular chamber. The portion of the chamber located between the first and second outlets forms an annular pocket or subchamber. The apparatus also includes means to rotate the annular chamber at a speed sufficient to cause the liquid polymer to flow through the first and second outlets and form liquid seals at each of the outlets. A vacuum source communicating with the annular pocket is provided for removing the volatile constituents from the liquid polymer.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.