An ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene solution polymerization reactor

Abstract

The application discloses an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene solution polymerization reactor, which comprises a reaction tank, polymerization bins, partitions, a transmission shaft, a controller, a material conveying pump, a booster pump and an equipment bin, the inside of the reaction tank is equally divided into a plurality of polymerization bins by a plurality of partitions, the space between the adjacent partitions of adjacent polymerization bins constitutes the equipment bin, the communication pipes penetrating through the partitions are symmetrically arranged between the polymerization bins, the first end seat and the second end seat are arranged at the two ends of the reaction tank respectively, the transmission shaft is rotatably installed between the first end seat and the second end seat, the first shunt pipe and the second shunt pipe are connected to the inner wall of one side of the polymerization bin respectively, the material conveying pipe and the gas conveying pipe are connected to one end of the first shunt pipe and the second shunt pipe respectively, and the controller is installed on the outer wall of one side of the bottom end of the reaction tank. The application can independently process different polymerization reaction stages and reaction materials of the polyethylene material, reduces the difficulty of polymerization treatment of all materials, and is favorable for improving the comprehensiveness and reaction effect of the polymerization reaction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of polymer materials technology, specifically to a solution polymerization reactor for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. Background Technology

[0002] Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a linear thermoplastic engineering plastic with excellent comprehensive properties, including strong wear resistance, self-lubrication, high strength, stable chemical properties, and long service life. Due to its numerous superior characteristics, UHMWPE has shown great advantages in the high-performance fiber market, ranging from mooring ropes for offshore oil fields to high-performance lightweight composite materials. It plays a crucial role in modern warfare and in fields such as aviation, aerospace, and maritime defense equipment.

[0003] In the production of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) materials, polymerization reaction processes are usually used. Polymerization reaction is the process of converting low molecular weight monomers into high molecular weight polymers. Polymers have important properties that low molecular weight monomers do not possess, such as plasticity, fiber formation, film formation, and high elasticity. They can be widely used as plastics, fibers, rubber, coatings, adhesives, and for other applications.

[0004] Extensive research revealed existing technology: Publication number CN212942928U discloses a polyethylene polymerization reactor, including a tank body. A top cover is installed at the top of the tank body, and the tank body and top cover are movably connected via flanges and bolts. A feed pipe is fixedly installed on one side of the top cover. A connection port is opened at the top of the tank body, and a discharge pipe is fixedly installed at the bottom of the tank body. A stirring shaft is movably installed inside the tank body, with its upper end movably installed inside the connection port and its top end movably installed on the output shaft of a motor. This polyethylene polymerization reactor, by movably installing heat sinks, a heat-conducting layer, and heat dissipation pipes on the outside of the tank body, facilitates cooling of the tank body through the heat sinks, heat-conducting layer, and heat dissipation pipes. Furthermore, the heat sinks and heat-conducting layer facilitate heat exchange between the tank body and the heat dissipation pipes, preventing damage to the tank body during heat exchange and extending the service life of the device.

[0005] For example, CN116850916A discloses a polyethylene polymerization reactor, including a shell. The shell contains an inner stirrer and an outer stirrer. A heating coil is also located between the outer side of the inner stirrer and the inner side of the outer stirrer. The heating coil includes a heating tube that extends spirally to form a spiral-shaped slit for material passage. The inner stirrer generates a force that stirs the material and moves it downwards and outwards. The outer stirrer generates a force that stirs the material and moves it towards the inner wall of the shell and upwards. This allows for the cyclic mixing of various materials, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of material mixing. Furthermore, the heating coil, immersed in the material, minimizes heat loss and improves heat transfer. The spiral extension of the heating tube also serves as a stirring and guiding mechanism for material passage.

[0006] In summary, most existing polyethylene polymerization equipment has a relatively simple structure and function, and the polymerization process is not independent enough. All polyethylene polymer materials are placed inside the container for overall raw material polymerization. This not only makes the polymerization process more difficult, but also fails to guarantee the completeness of the polymerization process, which prolongs the polymerization time. This is not efficient for actual production applications and is also not conducive to quality control. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a solution polymerization reactor for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a solution polymerization reactor for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, comprising a reaction tank, polymerization chambers, partitions, a drive shaft, a controller, a feed pump, a booster pump, and an equipment chamber. The interior of the reaction tank is divided into multiple polymerization chambers by multiple partitions at equal intervals, and the space between adjacent partitions of adjacent polymerization chambers constitutes the equipment chamber. The polymerization chambers are symmetrically connected by connecting pipes that penetrate the partition. The reaction tank is provided with a first end seat and a second end seat at both ends. A drive shaft is rotatably installed between the first end seat and the second end seat. A bushing is provided at each position where the drive shaft penetrates the partition. The inner wall of one side of the polymerization chamber is connected to a first diversion pipe and a second diversion pipe respectively. One end of the first diversion pipe and the second diversion pipe is connected to a material conveying pipe and a gas conveying pipe respectively. A controller is installed on the outer wall of one side of the bottom of the reaction tank, and a discharge pipe is connected to one side of the bottom of the reaction tank. The bottom end of the conveying pipe is connected to a conveying pump, and the number of conveying pumps is the same as the types of raw materials for polymerization reaction, for independent conveying of different reaction materials; the bottom end of the gas conveying pipe is connected to a booster pump, and the controllers are all electrically connected to the conveying pumps and booster pumps; the surface of the first diversion pipe is provided with a first solenoid valve, for independently controlling the first diversion pipe to convey materials into the polymerization chamber; the surface of the second diversion pipe is provided with a second solenoid valve, for independently controlling the second diversion pipe to convey gas into the polymerization chamber.

[0009] Preferably, the drive shaft surface is provided with symmetrically distributed stirring rods at equal intervals, and the stirring rods are all located inside the polymerization chamber for fully stirring the materials inside the polymerization chamber.

[0010] Preferably, a motor is mounted on the upper end of the second end seat, the upper end of the transmission shaft is connected to the motor, and the controller is electrically connected to the motor.

[0011] Preferably, a valve is installed on the surface of the discharge pipe to control the output of materials from the reaction vessel to the outside.

[0012] Preferably, a conduit penetrating the outer wall of the reaction tank is provided on one side inside the equipment compartment for routing the wiring of the equipment inside the equipment compartment.

[0013] Preferably, each bushing is provided with a sealed bearing that fits against the outer wall of the drive shaft to seal the gap between the drive shaft and the partition and to maintain the smooth rotation of the drive shaft.

[0014] Preferably, the inner wall of the upper end of the connecting pipe is tapered, and a third solenoid valve is installed on the surface of the connecting pipe, and the controller is electrically connected to the third solenoid valve.

[0015] Preferably, each of the equipment compartments is equipped with a heater, temperature sensor, and pressure sensor that penetrate the partition at the bottom. The controllers are all electrically connected to temperature sensors, heaters, and pressure sensors.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: In actual use, the number of polymerization silos and feed pumps can be independently configured according to the types and quantities of raw materials in the polyethylene polymerization reaction. The feed pumps independently transport each type of raw material in the polymerization reaction. During the feeding process, the first solenoid valve is controlled by the controller, which can flexibly and independently control the specific gravity of the material input into different polymerization silos. After the raw materials are fully input, the motor drives the transmission shaft to rotate, which can drive the stirring rod to rotate in the polymerization silo, so as to fully mix and stir the raw materials in the polymerization silo.

[0017] The booster pump independently delivers gas to the polymerization chamber, allowing for flexible pressure adjustment. This enables different stages of polymerization reactions to proceed independently within the chamber. Furthermore, after polymerization, the raw materials in the chamber are sequentially transferred and finally collected at the bottom of the reaction tank for final reaction processing. This effectively alleviates the difficulty of polymerization reactions between various raw materials and improves the efficiency of the polymerization reaction. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main cross-sectional structure of the reaction vessel of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the external appearance of the reaction vessel of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the equipment compartment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the positional distribution structure of the connecting pipes according to the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the first and second shunt tubes of the present invention.

[0019] In the diagram: 1. Reaction vessel; 2. Polymerization chamber; 3. Baffle plate; 4. Drive shaft; 5. Stirring rod; 6. Controller; 7. Discharge pipe; 8. Valve; 9. First end seat; 10. Feed pump; 11. Feed pipe; 12. Booster pump; 13. Gas supply pipe; 14. First diversion pipe; 15. Second diversion pipe; 16. Second end seat; 17. Motor; 18. Cable conduit; 19. First solenoid valve; 20. Second solenoid valve; 21. Bushing; 22. Equipment compartment; 23. Connecting pipe; 24. Temperature sensor; 25. Third solenoid valve; 26. Sealed bearing; 27. Heater; 28. Pressure sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] Please see Figures 1 to 5 The present invention provides two embodiments: Example 1

[0022] A solution polymerization reactor for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene includes a reaction tank 1, a polymerization chamber 2, a partition 3, a drive shaft 4, a controller 6, a feed pump 10, a booster pump 12, and an equipment chamber 22. The interior of the reaction tank 1 is divided into multiple polymerization chambers 2 by multiple partitions 3 at equal intervals, and the space between adjacent partitions 3 of adjacent polymerization chambers 2 constitutes the equipment chamber 22. A cable conduit 18 penetrating the outer wall of the reaction tank 1 is provided on one side of the equipment chamber 22 for exporting the wiring of the equipment inside the equipment chamber 22.

[0023] Symmetrically arranged between polymerization chambers 2 are connecting pipes 23 penetrating the partition 3. The upper inner wall of the connecting pipe 23 is tapered, and a third solenoid valve 25 is installed on the surface of each connecting pipe 23. The controller 6 is electrically connected to the third solenoid valve 25. At the bottom of each equipment chamber 22, a heater 27, a temperature sensor 24, and a pressure sensor 28 penetrating the partition 3 are installed. The controller 6 is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 24, the heater 27, and the pressure sensor 28. The heater 27 can independently heat the polymerization chamber 2, so that the temperature in the polymerization chamber 2 meets the temperature required for the current polymerization reaction stage, and can be controlled by feedback from the temperature sensor 24.

[0024] The reaction vessel 1 is provided with a first end seat 9 and a second end seat 16 at both ends. A drive shaft 4 is rotatably mounted between the first end seat 9 and the second end seat 16. A stirring rod 5 is symmetrically distributed at equal intervals on the surface of the drive shaft 4. The stirring rod 5 is located inside the polymerization chamber 2 and is used to fully stir the material inside the polymerization chamber 2. A motor 17 is installed on the upper end of the second end seat 16. The upper end of the drive shaft 4 is connected to the motor 17. The controller 6 is electrically connected to the motor 17. A bushing 21 is provided at each position where the drive shaft 4 passes through the partition 3. A sealed bearing 26 is provided inside the bushing 21 and fits against the outer wall of the drive shaft 4. It is used to seal the gap between the drive shaft 4 and the partition 3 and to maintain the smooth rotation of the drive shaft 4. Example 2

[0025] The inner wall of one side of the polymerization chamber 2 is connected to a first diversion pipe 14 and a second diversion pipe 15, respectively. One end of the first diversion pipe 14 and the second diversion pipe 15 is connected to a material conveying pipe 11 and a gas conveying pipe 13, respectively. The bottom end of the material conveying pipe 11 is connected to a material conveying pump 10, and the number of material conveying pumps 10 is the same as the types of raw materials for the polymerization reaction, used for independent conveying of different reaction materials. Before actual use, the polymerization chamber 2 and the number of material conveying pumps 10 can be independently configured according to the types and quantities of raw materials for the polyethylene polymerization reaction. Each material conveying pump 10 independently conveys each type of raw material for the polymerization reaction.

[0026] A booster pump 12 is connected to the bottom of the gas supply pipe 13, and the controller 6 is electrically connected to both the feed pump 10 and the booster pump 12. Each of the first diversion pipes 14 is equipped with a first solenoid valve 19, used to independently control the material delivery from the first diversion pipe 14 to the polymerization chamber 2. During the material delivery process, the controller 6 controls the first solenoid valve 19, allowing for flexible and independent control of the specific gravity of the material input into different polymerization chambers 2. As the raw materials are fully input, the motor 17 drives the drive shaft 4 to rotate, which in turn drives the stirring rod 5 to rotate within the polymerization chamber 2, thus thoroughly mixing and stirring the raw materials in the polymerization chamber 2.

[0027] Each of the second diversion pipes 15 is equipped with a second solenoid valve 20, which is used to independently control the second diversion pipe 15 to deliver gas into the polymerization chamber 2. The booster pump 12 independently delivers gas into the polymerization chamber 2, and can flexibly adjust the pressure in the polymerization chamber 2, so that the polymerization reaction in the polymerization chamber 2 can be carried out independently at different stages.

[0028] A controller 6 is installed on one side of the bottom of the reaction vessel 1, and a discharge pipe 7 is connected to one side of the bottom of the reaction vessel 1. A valve 8 is installed on the surface of the discharge pipe 7 to control the output of materials from the reaction vessel 1 to the outside.

[0029] In actual use, the number of polymerization chambers 2 and feed pumps 10 can be independently configured according to the types and quantities of raw materials for the polyethylene polymerization reaction. The feed pumps 10 independently transport each type of raw material for the polymerization reaction. During the feeding process, the first solenoid valve 19 is controlled by the controller 6, which can flexibly and independently control the specific gravity of the material input into different polymerization chambers 2. After the raw materials are fully input, the motor 17 drives the transmission shaft 4 to rotate, which can drive the stirring rod 5 to rotate in the polymerization chamber 2, so as to fully mix and stir the raw materials in the polymerization chamber 2.

[0030] The booster pump 12 independently delivers gas to the polymerization chamber 2, and can flexibly adjust the pressure in the polymerization chamber 2, so that the polymerization reaction in the polymerization chamber 2 can be carried out independently at different stages. After the raw materials in the polymerization chamber 2 are polymerized, they can be transferred sequentially and finally collected at the bottom of the reaction tank 1 for final reaction processing. This effectively alleviates the difficulty of polymerization reaction between multiple raw materials and improves the efficiency of polymerization reaction.

[0031] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A solution polymerization reactor for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, comprising a reaction tank (1), a polymerization chamber (2), a partition (3), a drive shaft (4), a controller (6), a feed pump (10), a booster pump (12), and an equipment chamber (22), characterized in that: The interior of the reaction tank (1) is divided into multiple polymerization chambers (2) by multiple partitions (3) at equal intervals, and the space between adjacent partitions (3) of adjacent polymerization chambers (2) constitutes an equipment chamber (22). The polymerization chambers (2) are symmetrically arranged with connecting pipes (23) that penetrate the partition (3). The reaction tank (1) is provided with a first end seat (9) and a second end seat (16) at both ends. A drive shaft (4) is rotatably installed between the first end seat (9) and the second end seat (16). A bushing (21) is provided at the position where the drive shaft (4) penetrates the partition (3). The inner wall of one side of the polymerization chamber (2) is connected to a first diversion pipe (14) and a second diversion pipe (15), and one end of the first diversion pipe (14) and the second diversion pipe (15) is connected to a material conveying pipe (11) and a gas conveying pipe (13), respectively. A controller (6) is installed on the outer wall of one side of the bottom of the reaction tank (1), and a discharge pipe (7) is connected to one side of the bottom of the reaction tank (1). The bottom end of the conveying pipe (11) is connected to a conveying pump (10), and the number of conveying pumps (10) is the same as the type of raw material for polymerization reaction, which is used to independently convey different reaction materials; the bottom end of the gas conveying pipe (13) is connected to a booster pump (12), and the controller (6) is electrically connected to both the conveying pump (10) and the booster pump (12); the surface of the first diversion pipe (14) is provided with a first solenoid valve (19), which is used to independently control the first diversion pipe (14) to convey materials into the polymerization chamber (2); the surface of the second diversion pipe (15) is provided with a second solenoid valve (20).

2. The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene solution polymerization reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive shaft (4) is provided with symmetrically distributed stirring rods (5) at equal intervals. The stirring rods (5) are all located inside the polymerization chamber (2) and are used to fully stir the materials inside the polymerization chamber (2).

3. The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene solution polymerization reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second end seat (16) is equipped with a motor (17), the upper end of the transmission shaft (4) is connected to the motor (17), and the controller (6) is electrically connected to the motor (17).

4. The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene solution polymerization reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The discharge pipe (7) is equipped with a valve (8) to control the output of materials from the reaction vessel (1) to the outside.

5. The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene solution polymerization reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The equipment compartment (22) is provided with a cable pipe (18) that penetrates the outer wall of the reaction tank (1) on one side, which is used to export the wiring of the equipment inside the equipment compartment (22).

6. The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene solution polymerization reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each bushing (21) is equipped with a sealed bearing (26) that fits against the outer wall of the transmission shaft (4).

7. The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene solution polymerization reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper inner wall of the connecting pipe (23) is tapered, and a third solenoid valve (25) is installed on the surface of the connecting pipe (23). The controller (6) is electrically connected to the third solenoid valve (25).

8. The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene solution polymerization reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of each equipment compartment (22) is equipped with a heater (27), a temperature sensor (24), and a pressure sensor (28) that penetrate the partition (3). The controller (6) is electrically connected to the temperature sensor (24), the heater (27), and the pressure sensor (28).

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