Continuous loop flow process for polyether polyol production

US8912364B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC · US

Inventors

• Carlos M. Villa · Freeport, US
• John W. Weston · Sugar Land, US
• Pradeep Jain · Lake Jackson, US
• Leigh H. Thompson · Lake Jackson, US
• Jean-Paul Masy · Laarne, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 19, 2009
• Grant date: Dec 16, 2014
• Expiry date: Apr 10, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P20/10
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to compositions, apparatus, methods, and systems that may be used to produce polyols, for example, polyether polyols with a narrow range of molecular weights, with little if any unsaturated byproducts, in a sustained and/or continuous reaction, with efficient heat transfer, and/or at high production rates. For example, in some embodiments, teachings of the disclosure may be used to produce polyether polyols in a continuous loop flow process. A continuous loop flow process may be practiced such that heat is effectively transferred and/or product properties (e.g., range of molecular weights) are controllable. For example, a continuous loop flow process may use one or more continuous flow loops comprising a heat exchanger, a means to move material around each loop, inlets for catalyst, monomer, initiator or starter, and an outlet for polyol product.