Process and apparatus for recycling aqueous fluid absorbents fines
US5064582A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 15, 1989 |
| Grant date | Nov 12, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 15, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W30/62
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A process for recycling and reblending dry, difficult to hydrate polymer fines into a water-swellable fluid absorbent polymer gel is disclosed. The process requires feeding the dry polymer fines into a first mixing zone where they are subjected to spraying with water that at least partially hydrates the fines and mixing, substantially simultaneously with the water contact, at high shear such at the fines are substantial completely hydrated without agglomeration. The hydrated fines are then transported from the first zone into a second mixing zone where blending of the hydrated fines with fresh polymer gel occurs at medium shear such that a substantially uniformly blended product results. The resulting process successfully re-introduces fines into the main product stream wherein the resulting product has high aqueous fluid absorbent capacity and good particulate mechanical integrity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.