Treatment device for readily polymerizable substances

Abstract

Provided is a treatment device for a polymerizable substance capable of suppressing the generation of a polymer in an additional device. A treatment device (10) for a polymerizable substance has: an additional device (30) provided in a main body (20) for treating a polymerizable substance, which does not have a temperature adjustment mechanism (40) for a gas that comes into contact with the polymerizable substance; and a temperature adjustment mechanism (40) that adjusts the temperature of the additional device (30) to a temperature lower than the boiling point of the polymerizable substance and a temperature higher than the melting point of the polymerizable substance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for processing polymerizable substances. Background Technology

[0002] In apparatuses that process easily polymerizable substances such as (meth)acrylic acid and (meth)acrylates, additional equipment such as vent valves is sometimes installed. This additional equipment adjusts the internal pressure of the apparatus, thereby preventing deformation of the processing unit.

[0003] Furthermore, it is well known that polymerizable substances are very easy to polymerize and polymerization frequently occurs during manufacturing processes. In particular, when polymerizable substances vaporize from a liquid containing such substances stored in a device, and the vapor containing the vaporized substances remains condensed in an auxiliary device, they easily become nuclei and form polymers. To prevent polymers from adhering to the auxiliary device and hindering its internal pressure regulation function, polymer removal operations are required.

[0004] In contrast, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a method for installing a heating device in the piping between a storage tank containing a polymerizable substance and a vent valve. The heating device heats the piping to suppress the condensation of the polymerizable substance within the piping, thereby inhibiting its polymerization.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-46794 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0009] However, if insufficiently heated portions are generated in the apparatus, polymerizable substances may condense in these unheated portions. Furthermore, if the condensed polymerizable substances in the unheated portions come into contact with the heated portions of the apparatus, the condensed polymerizable substances may readily polymerize.

[0010] In view of existing technologies related to suppressing the polymerization of polymerizable substances, the inventors conducted in-depth research into whether other methods could be used to better suppress the polymerization of polymerizable substances. Therefore, the inventors conceived of suppressing the polymerization of polymerizable substances within the auxiliary equipment by intentionally condensing the polymerizable substances and maintaining the temperature of the auxiliary equipment at a low temperature. On the other hand, maintaining the temperature of the auxiliary equipment at a low temperature could cause the polymerizable substances to solidify, potentially leading to blockage. Therefore, the present invention was completed with the aim of maintaining the temperature of the auxiliary equipment above its melting point.

[0011] That is, the object of the present invention is to provide a treatment apparatus for easily polymerizable substances that can suppress the generation of polymers in an auxiliary device.

[0012] Solution for solving the problem

[0013] One technical solution of the present invention provides an apparatus for processing easily polymerizable substances, comprising: an auxiliary device disposed on a main body for processing the easily polymerizable substance, which does not have a temperature adjustment mechanism for the gas that comes into contact with the easily polymerizable substance; and a temperature adjustment mechanism that adjusts the temperature of the auxiliary device to a temperature lower than the boiling point of the easily polymerizable substance and a temperature higher than the melting point of the easily polymerizable substance.

[0014] The effects of the invention

[0015] According to the apparatus for processing polymerizable substances of the present invention, although the polymerizable substance in the auxiliary equipment condenses, the polymerization reaction is suppressed because it is kept at a low temperature by means of a temperature adjustment mechanism. Therefore, the generation of polymers in the auxiliary equipment can be suppressed. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the main body and auxiliary equipment of a processing apparatus for easily polymerizable substances constituting an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description does not limit the technical scope or the meaning of the terms used in the claims. Furthermore, the dimensions in the drawings are exaggerated for ease of explanation and may sometimes differ from the actual proportions.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the main body 20 and auxiliary equipment 30 of the processing apparatus 10 (hereinafter referred to as "processing apparatus") constituting the polymerizable substance of this embodiment.

[0019] In this specification, "easily polymerizable substance" refers to any substance that is easily polymerizable, without any particular limitation. For example, polymerizable vinyl compounds may be listed. Here, polymerizable vinyl compounds may include: (meth)acrylaldehyde; (meth)acrylic acid; hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, glycidyl (meth)acrylate, methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, butyl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, and other (meth)acrylates; or mixtures thereof.

[0020] <Processing Device>

[0021] The processing apparatus 10 may include, for example, a main body 20, which is at least one of the following: equipment for (temporarily) storing liquids containing polymerizable substances in manufacturing processes, purification processes, etc.; equipment for separation (distillation column, absorption column, extraction column, crystallizer, filter, etc.); equipment for heat exchange (heat exchanger, etc.); and equipment for reaction (reactor, etc., but excluding gas-phase reactor). In particular, equipment for storage is preferred.

[0022] The following description uses the case where processing apparatus 10 is a storage device for temporarily storing liquids containing easily polymerizable substances during manufacturing and purification as an example to illustrate the specific structure of processing apparatus 10. Figure 1 As shown, the processing apparatus 10 includes: a main body 20 that stores a liquid containing a polymerizable substance; an auxiliary device 30 installed on the main body 20; and a temperature adjustment mechanism 40 that adjusts the temperature of the auxiliary device 30 to promote the condensation of the polymerizable substance. The details of each part will be described below.

[0023] <Main Body>

[0024] The main body 20 is not particularly limited as long as it can store liquids containing easily polymerizable substances; for example, it can be constructed from a storage tank with a gas seal. The main body 20 can be a pressurized tank or an atmospheric pressure tank.

[0025] Alternatively, the main body 20 may be equipped with piping 11 that supplies liquid containing easily polymerizable substances to the main body 20 from other devices such as reactors, distillation towers, and evaporators.

[0026] The liquid supplied to the main body 20 and containing polymerizable substances may also contain a polymerization inhibitor in advance, for example, the polymerization inhibitor may be supplied separately from the piping installed in the main body 20.

[0027] There are no particular limitations on the polymerization inhibitor, but examples include hydroquinone, hydroquinone monomethyl ether, phenothiazine, and copper dibutyldithiocarbamate. Furthermore, the content of the polymerization inhibitor is 1 ppm or more, preferably 10 ppm or more. Additionally, the content of the polymerization inhibitor is 1000 ppm or less, preferably 500 ppm or less.

[0028] The main body 20 may also be equipped with a mixer (illustration omitted).

[0029] <Additional Equipment>

[0030] The auxiliary device 30 is configured to adjust the internal pressure of the main body 20.

[0031] The auxiliary device 30 is preferably located in the upper part of the main body 20 in the direction of gravity G, i.e., in the gas phase portion of the main body 20. The gas phase portion referred to here is the space above the liquid surface in the main body 20 (the portion not immersed in the liquid surface). Therefore, the gas of easily polymerizable substances will come into contact with the auxiliary device 30.

[0032] The additional equipment 30 is not particularly limited, and may include instruments such as nozzles and pressure gauges, atmospheric exhaust ports, valves such as pressure regulating valves, and flashback prevention components, and may also be combined.

[0033] As a type of valve, a pressure regulating valve is preferred, for example... Figure 1 The pressure regulating valve 31 shown is not particularly limited as long as it can vent and / or intake air according to the internal pressure of the auxiliary device 30 (and the main body 20 connected to the auxiliary device 30). In particular, pressure regulating valves that vent and intake air according to the internal pressure of the main body 20 are preferred, and examples include vent valves, atmospheric valves, safety valves, pressure reducing valves, and automatic valves that open and close according to the set value of a pressure gauge.

[0034] The flashback prevention unit 32 is only required to prevent flashback of the main body 20 and is not particularly limited. For example, it can be composed of a flame extinguisher, a deflagration flame extinguisher, etc.

[0035] The atmospheric vent is a nozzle (also called a pipe) used for atmospheric purging. The atmospheric vent can extend from the nozzle 33, or it can be provided by connecting the nozzle 33 and the atmospheric vent with flanges or other connecting parts. Furthermore, the shape of the atmospheric vent is not particularly limited. The atmospheric vent may also have a portion that is curved downwards to prevent rain or the like from entering the purging area.

[0036] As instrumentation equipment, pressure gauges and the like can be listed. Besides pressure gauges that measure pressure within a system, pressure gauges also include, for example, pressure level gauges that measure liquid levels by measuring pressure.

[0037] In addition, the auxiliary device 30 can be installed via clamping components such as nozzle 33 connected to the auxiliary device 30, or it can be directly installed on the main body 20.

[0038] Alternatively, the auxiliary device 30 can be installed on the wall of the main body 20, which is the gas phase portion of the main body 20, but it is preferable to provide a top plate in the gas phase portion and to provide the auxiliary device 30 at a position above the top plate.

[0039] <Temperature Adjustment Mechanism>

[0040] The temperature adjustment mechanism 40 is configured to adjust the temperature of the auxiliary equipment 30 to promote the condensation of easily polymerizable substances.

[0041] Even when a polymerization inhibitor is supplied to the main body 20, the supplied inhibitor is mainly present in the liquid phase of the main body 20, and almost absent in the gas phase of the main body 20 and the auxiliary equipment 30. Therefore, when vapor containing polymerizable substances condenses in the auxiliary equipment 30, almost no polymerization inhibitor is present in the condensed portion. Thus, polymerization is more likely to occur in the gas phase of the auxiliary equipment 30 compared to the liquid phase of the main body 20. In contrast, in this embodiment, although the polymerizable substances in the auxiliary equipment 30 condense, the polymerization reaction is suppressed because the temperature is maintained at a low temperature by the temperature adjustment mechanism 40. Therefore, the generation of polymers in the auxiliary equipment 30 can be suppressed, and the growth of polymers within the auxiliary equipment 30 that hinders the function of the auxiliary equipment 30 can be prevented.

[0042] The temperature adjustment mechanism 40 is not particularly limited, for example, it can be configured to make the temperature of the auxiliary device 30 range from a temperature below the boiling point of the polymerizable substance (upper limit temperature) to a temperature above the melting point of the polymerizable substance (lower limit temperature).

[0043] The upper limit temperature of the auxiliary device 30 is appropriately set according to the polymerizable substance being processed. In this embodiment, the polymerizable substance being processed is a substance that undergoes free radical polymerization. Therefore, the upper limit temperature of the auxiliary device 30 can be set to 50°C or below, more preferably to 45°C or below, more preferably to 40°C or below, and more preferably to 35°C or below.

[0044] The lower limit temperature of the auxiliary device 30 is appropriately set according to the polymerizable substance being processed, preferably 15°C or higher, more preferably 20°C or higher, and even more preferably 25°C or higher.

[0045] The temperature adjustment mechanism 40 can, for example, be a temperature adjustment section 41 that can be wound around the auxiliary device 30. The structure of the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 is not particularly limited as long as it can adjust the temperature of the auxiliary device 30 to promote the condensation of polymerizable substances. It can be configured to heat the auxiliary device 30 (e.g., in winter) or cool the auxiliary device 30 (e.g., in summer) depending on the season (based on the outside temperature) (even with the same set temperature, there may be cases where it is kept warm (heated) in winter and cooled in summer). The temperature adjustment mechanism 40 is configured to maintain the temperature of the auxiliary device 30 when the temperature of the auxiliary device 30 is already within the temperature range that promotes the condensation of polymerizable substances. Furthermore, the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 can prevent solidification and adjust to a condensation temperature.

[0046] Furthermore, the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 is preferably a device that prevents the gas containing the easily polymerizable substance from contacting it, and it is a device that can be subsequently installed on the existing auxiliary equipment 30. Therefore, the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 is located on the upper part of the main body 20 and does not include a condenser (ventilation condenser) that comes into contact with the gas containing the easily polymerizable substance. From the viewpoints of device size (installation in narrow areas is physically difficult when installing on the existing auxiliary equipment 30) and maintenance (cleaning, etc.), such a ventilation condenser is not preferred.

[0047] The temperature adjustment mechanism 40 can also be configured as a water-based temperature control, for example. In this case, the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 can be configured by allowing a heat medium (preferably water) to flow through a temperature adjustment section 41 made of copper pipes or the like (heat tracing piping), and the temperature of the water flowing through the temperature adjustment section 41 can be appropriately set according to the season (based on the external air temperature). Furthermore, in Figure 1 In the image, the arrows represent the flow of water.

[0048] Furthermore, the material of the temperature regulating unit 41 is not limited to copper. In addition, the structure of the temperature regulating unit 41 is not limited to heat tracing piping, and may also be composed of double-layer pipes, spray water, etc.

[0049] Furthermore, the structure of the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 is not particularly limited as long as it can adjust the temperature of the auxiliary device 30. For example, the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 can also be configured as an electric heater type temperature regulator or an air-cooled temperature regulator. When the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 is configured as an electric heater type temperature regulator, the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 can heat the auxiliary device 30 (for example, in winter when the outside temperature is low). In addition, the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 heats in winter and does not heat in summer, thereby preventing condensation and adjusting to a condensation temperature. In this case, as an alternative to the temperature adjustment section 41, the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 is preferably configured as a strip heater or a silicone wire heater that can be wound around the auxiliary device 30.

[0050] Furthermore, the position (setting range) of the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 relative to the auxiliary device 30 is not particularly limited as long as it can adjust the temperature of the auxiliary device 30 to promote the condensation of easily polymerizable substances.

[0051] Furthermore, the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 can also be configured to adjust the auxiliary device 30 to a predetermined temperature without the aid of a temperature sensor or temperature control unit. Instead of directly measuring the temperature of the auxiliary device 30 while adjusting its temperature, the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 operates by setting the temperature of its heat transfer medium so that the temperature of the auxiliary device 30 is within a set temperature range.

[0052] As described above, the processing apparatus 10 for polymerizable substances in this embodiment includes: an auxiliary device 30 provided on the main body 20 for processing polymerizable substances, which does not have a temperature adjustment mechanism 40 that comes into contact with the gas of the polymerizable substance; and a temperature adjustment mechanism 40 that adjusts the temperature of the auxiliary device 30 to a temperature lower than the boiling point of the polymerizable substance and a temperature higher than the melting point of the polymerizable substance.

[0053] According to the processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment, although the polymerizable substance in the auxiliary equipment 30 is condensed, the polymerization reaction is suppressed because it is kept at a low temperature by the temperature adjustment mechanism 40. Therefore, the processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment can suppress the generation of polymers in the auxiliary equipment 30.

[0054] Furthermore, the temperature below the boiling point is 50°C. Although the polymerizable substances within the auxiliary device 30, where the temperature is adjusted in this way, condense, the polymerization reaction is suppressed because the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 maintains a low temperature. Therefore, the processing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment can suppress the generation of polymers in the auxiliary device 30.

[0055] Furthermore, the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 utilizes a heat medium for temperature regulation. Depending on the season (based on external temperature), it is configured to either heat the auxiliary equipment 30 (e.g., in winter) or cool it (e.g., in summer), thereby effectively suppressing the polymerization of easily polymerizable substances within the auxiliary equipment 30. Additionally, the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 heats in winter and does not heat in summer, thus preventing solidification and adjusting to a condensing temperature.

[0056] Alternatively, the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 can also utilize an electric heater for temperature adjustment. With this configuration, the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 can be configured to heat the auxiliary equipment 30 in winter when the outside temperature is low, and not to heat the auxiliary equipment 30 in summer when the outside temperature is high. Therefore, by preventing the solidification of easily polymerizable substances within the auxiliary equipment 30 and maintaining a condensation temperature, the temperature adjustment mechanism 40 can effectively suppress polymerization.

[0057] Additionally, the auxiliary device 30 directly connects at least one of the nozzle 33, instrumentation equipment (not shown), atmospheric exhaust port (not shown), and valve (e.g., pressure regulating valve 31) to the main body 20, or connects at least one of the instrumentation equipment (not shown), atmospheric exhaust port (not shown), and valve to the main body 20 via the nozzle 33.

[0058] Additionally, the auxiliary device 30 includes a pressure regulating valve 31 that vents and / or intakes air based on the internal pressure within the main body 20.

[0059] In addition to processing polymerizable substances, the processing apparatus 10 also processes polymerization inhibitors used to prevent the polymerization of polymerizable substances. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the formation of polymeric substances within the processing apparatus 10.

[0060] Alternatively, the polymerizable substance can be (meth)acrylic acid or (meth)acrylate. With this configuration, the generation of polymers in the auxiliary device 30 can be suppressed during the manufacture and purification of readily polymerizable (meth)acrylic acid or (meth)acrylate.

[0061] Furthermore, the main body 20 is a device for at least one of storing, separating, heat exchanging, or reacting polymerizable substances. With this configuration, the processing apparatus 10 can process not only polymerizable substances but also polymerization inhibitors used to prevent the polymerization of polymerizable substances.

[0062] Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

[0063] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-17646, filed on February 8, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0064] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0065] 10. Processing device; 20. Main body; 30. Auxiliary equipment; 40. Temperature adjustment mechanism; G. Gravity direction.

Claims

1. A device for processing easily polymerizable substances, wherein, The device for processing easily polymerizable substances has the following features: An auxiliary device, located within the main body for processing polymerizable substances, lacks a temperature control mechanism for the gas that comes into contact with the polymerizable substance; and A temperature adjustment mechanism that adjusts the temperature of the auxiliary equipment to a temperature below the boiling point of the polymerizable substance and above the melting point of the polymerizable substance. The additional device directly connects at least one of the nozzle, instrumentation, atmospheric vent, valve, and flashback prevention unit to the main body, or connects at least one of the instrumentation, atmospheric vent, valve, and flashback prevention unit to the main body via the nozzle.

2. The apparatus for processing easily polymerizable substances according to claim 1, wherein, The temperature below the boiling point is 50°C.

3. The apparatus for processing easily polymerizable substances according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The temperature adjustment mechanism uses a heat transfer medium to adjust the temperature.

4. The apparatus for processing easily polymerizable substances according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The temperature adjustment mechanism uses an electric heater to adjust the temperature.

5. The apparatus for processing easily polymerizable substances according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The additional equipment includes a pressure regulating valve for venting and / or intake based on the internal pressure within the main body.

6. The apparatus for processing easily polymerizable substances according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, In addition to processing the polymerizable substance, the apparatus for processing polymerizable substances also processes polymerization inhibitors used to prevent the polymerization of the polymerizable substance.

7. The apparatus for processing easily polymerizable substances according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The polymerizable substance is (meth)acrylic acid or (meth)acrylate.

8. The apparatus for processing easily polymerizable substances according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The main body is a device for at least one of storing, separating, heat exchanging, and reacting the polymerizable substance.

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