Process for the production of a superabsorbent polymer

US8048942B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Evonik Stockhausen GmbH · US

Inventors

• Daniel Fricker · Rœschwoog, FR
• Herbert Gartner · Baden-Baden, DE
• Marc Hager · Bischwiller, FR
• Jorg Harren · Baesweiler, DE
• Hans-Peter Kohler · Bühlertal, DE
• Harald Plochinger · Bühl, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 7, 2009
• Grant date: Nov 1, 2011
• Expiry date: Apr 13, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C08F2/00
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for the production of a superabsorbent polymer comprising preparing an aqueous mixture of monomers selected to provide after polymerization a superabsorbent polymer; feeding said monomer mixture to a reactor; subjecting the aqueous monomer mixture in the reactor to free-radical polymerization to obtain a superabsorbent polymer gel; removing the superabsorbent polymer from the reactor; and working-up the superabsorbent polymer removed from the reactor to obtain a final product, whereby a basic aqueous medium comprising carbonate and/or hydrogen carbonate is fed to the superabsorbent polymer gel.