Cartridge for devolatilization apparatus comprising hollow dual plate assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a cartridge comprising: at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor wherein at least one section of the at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor is arranged within the cartridge; at least one support element on which the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor are arranged; a central inlet line for heating the medium and a central outlet line for heating the medium, in which at least one section of the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor comprises a hollow double-plate assembly comprising an upper plate and a lower plate which are arranged one above the other, each of the two plates comprises a plurality of openings, and each opening of the upper plate is surrounded by a wall which extends through the void chamber and surrounds the opening of the lower plate, so that a plurality of channels are formed; the channels are separated in a fluid-tight manner from a hollow space defined in a void chamber between the channels, the hollow space being connected to an inlet for a heat medium and to an outlet for a heat medium, and wherein the hollow space is connected to the outlet for a heat medium. A central inlet line for the heating medium of the cartridge is connected to an inlet of the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor, and wherein a central outlet line for the heating medium is connected to an outlet of the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge for a devolatilization apparatus for devolatilizing a composition containing volatile components, such as a solid or liquid polymer composition containing unreacted monomers and a solvent, and a devolatilization apparatus. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a devolatilization method using such a devolatilization apparatus. Background Art

[0002] Devolatilization or corresponding degassing means the controlled removal of gases and other volatile substances, such as solvents or moisture, from solids and liquids. Devolatilization is generally used to remove volatile components from polymers, and volatile components are mainly components with quite low molecular weight, such as residual monomers, solvents, reaction byproducts and water. This is necessary, so that by removing harmful and / or toxic components, by removing components that have a negative impact on the further processing of polymers (such as the formability of their products), by removing components that make polymer properties worse, by removing components that cause the unpleasant smell of polymers and / or by removing undesirable components due to other reasons, before its use, the required purity of the corresponding polymer is achieved. In addition, removing monomers and solvents from polymer compositions allows recovery and potential recycling of monomers and solvents in this process, so as to increase the productive rate of this process and reduce the amount of waste.

[0003] To achieve devolatilization, the component to be evaporated needs to have a higher partial pressure than the polymer, or a correspondingly higher thermodynamic activity. Furthermore, the component to be evaporated needs to be able to diffuse through the polymer composition to the phase boundary. Particularly in the case of viscous polymers or polymer melts—and polymers and polymer melts are typically quite viscous—slow diffusion rates can be a rate-limiting factor. Therefore, to accelerate devolatilization, the composition being devolatilized is typically devolatilized at elevated temperatures and / or at subatmospheric pressure, as both measures increase the thermodynamic activity of the volatile components. Furthermore, increasing the temperature reduces the viscosity of the polymer, thereby improving the diffusion of the volatile components within the polymer. However, most polymers are more or less heat-sensitive, so a specific temperature—characteristic of each polymer—should not be exceeded in order to reliably avoid polymer degradation during devolatilization. Therefore, temperature control of the composition to be devolatilized is an important, and indeed decisive, factor during devolatilization.

[0004] Several types of devolatilizers are known, such as static and dynamic devolatilizers. While dynamic devolatilizers include moving parts, such as blades, to maintain a high interfacial concentration gradient and a high diffusion rate of volatile components within the polymer, static devolatilizers do not include moving parts, but rather internals to create a high specific surface area for the composition to be devolatilized. However, dynamic devolatilizers are associated with significant disadvantages due to their moving parts, such as high cost, the need for large amounts of energy during operation, the need for regular maintenance, and a relatively high leakage rate.

[0005] Therefore, compared with dynamic devolatilization equipment, static devolatilization equipment has the advantages that - due to the lack of moving parts - energy consumption is lower, installation cost is lower, maintenance required is less, and it has a relatively low leakage rate. Common types of static devolatilization equipment are flash devolatilization equipment and falling strand devolatilization equipment (falling strand devolatilization apparatus). Flash devolatilization equipment generally includes a preheater (such as a heat exchanger) and a flash chamber. During operation, the polymer composition to be devolatilized is first pumped to the heat exchanger, where it is heated and optionally pressurized to reduce its viscosity, and then it is pumped from the heat exchanger to the top of the flash chamber, where the pressure is released and the evaporation of the volatile components occurs. After this, the polymer composition falls downward through the flash chamber, during which time a plurality of bubbles of the volatile components nucleate in the polymer composition. This results in a large amount of surface area for mass transfer, and therefore results in rapid devolatilization. When the volatilized gas phase is collected and condensed in the condenser, the residual polymer composition is collected at the bottom of the flash chamber and removed via pumping. The operation of a streamer devolatilizer is similar to that of a flash devolatilizer, but with specially implemented nozzles to inject the polymer composition into the chamber as streamers in order to promote the growth of bubbles of the volatile components and to accelerate the diffusion process.

[0006] As indicated above, during devolatilization, temperature control of the composition to be devolatilized is an important and, in fact, decisive factor. This is even more important in the case of devolatilization of temperature-sensitive compositions, such as temperature-sensitive polymer compositions. For example, when the polymer in the composition to be devolatilized is highly temperature-sensitive and therefore cannot be heated to the optimal temperature in the preheater, or when the preheater cannot reach the required outlet temperature due to an inaccurate design basis, or when the devolatilization apparatus is implemented so that the heat loss to the environment is high, or when inaccurate simulations were performed before the devolatilization apparatus was designed due to a lack of thermodynamic data, the flash devolatilization apparatus may not be operated at the optimal temperature. However, non-optimal temperature control of the composition to be devolatilized during devolatilization leads to non-optimal devolatilization results. For example, during devolatilization, an operating temperature below the optimal operating temperature results in a relatively low amount of volatile components contained in the polymer composition being separated from the polymer. Because the devolatilized polymer product is discharged from the devolatilization equipment at a temperature below the optimal design temperature, it may lead to abnormal operation of downstream equipment and / or the devolatilized polymer product may not achieve the expected properties after the devolatilization process.

[0007] Additionally, it is desirable that the devolatilization apparatus can be easily and quickly modified in order to adapt it to new applications and to allow for easy and rapid cleaning and maintenance. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In view of the above, the underlying object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for a devolatilizer for devolatilizing a composition comprising volatile components, such as a solid or liquid polymer composition comprising unreacted monomers, solvents and / or by-products, which allows easy and rapid modification of the devolatilizer, easy and rapid cleaning and maintenance of the main parts of the devolatilizer and compensation of heat losses due to evaporation of volatile components during operation, as well as reliable control of the devolatilization operating temperature during operation of the devolatilizer, and in particular, individual and reliable control of the devolatilization operating temperature in different sections of the devolatilizer, so that a devolatilizer comprising the apparatus achieves optimal devolatilization of the composition to be devolatilized at low operating costs, wherein the apparatus and the devolatilizer are characterized by low capital expenditure, so that a devolatilized composition with optimal product quality is obtained even in the case of polymer compositions comprising particularly temperature-sensitive polymers.

[0009] According to the invention, this object is met by providing a cartridge comprising: at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor arranged in the cartridge; at least one support element on which the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor are arranged; a central inlet line for a heating medium and a central outlet line for the heating medium, wherein at least one section of the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor comprises a hollow double plate assembly, the hollow double plate assembly comprising an upper plate and a lower plate, the upper plate and the lower plate being arranged one above the other but spaced apart such that a gap is defined between them chamber, wherein each of the two plates comprises a plurality of openings, wherein each opening of the upper plate is surrounded by a wall extending through the void chamber and surrounding the opening of the lower plate so as to form a plurality of channels which are fluid-tightly separated from a hollow space defined in the void chamber between the channels, wherein the hollow space is connected to an inlet for a heating medium and to an outlet for the heating medium, and wherein a central inlet line for the heating medium of the cartridge is connected to an inlet of at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor, and wherein a central outlet line for the heating medium is connected to an outlet of at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor.

[0010] This solution is based on the discovery that such heatable trays and heatable distributors can be fixed in removable cartridges, thanks to the hollow double-plate assembly of which they are composed, thereby allowing the trays and distributors to be easily removed for maintenance and / or cleaning (if necessary) and then installed back into the devolatilizer, or to be easily replaced with other trays and / or distributors before the devolatilizer is used for a different devolatilization application. Moreover, if the cartridge is inserted into the tank of the devolatilizer, the cartridge leads to the devolatilizer, such as, in particular, a static devolatilizer for devolatilizing compositions containing volatile components, such as solid or liquid polymer compositions containing unreacted monomers, solvents and / or by-products, characterized by precise temperature and pressure control management. More specifically, since at least one heatable tray and / or at least one section of at least one heatable distributor contained in the cartridge comprises a hollow double plate assembly comprising an upper plate and a lower plate, which are arranged one above the other but spaced apart so as to define a void chamber between them, wherein each of the two plates comprises a plurality of openings, wherein each opening of the upper plate is surrounded by a wall extending through the void chamber and surrounding the opening of the lower plate so as to form a plurality of channels fluidly connecting the upper and lower plates so as to allow falling strips (generated by the composition flowing downwardly from the upper plate through the channels) to fall downwardly from the underside of the lower plate, wherein the channels are fluid-tightly separated from the hollow spaces defined in the void chamber between the channels, wherein the hollow spaces are connected to an inlet for a heat medium and an outlet for a heat medium, the cartridge allows reliable control of the devolatilization operating temperature during operation of the devolatilization device, and in particular, separate and reliable control of the devolatilization operating temperature in different sections of the devolatilization device. More specifically, the composition to be devolatilized (such as a composition containing a temperature-sensitive polymer) enters through one or more heatable distributors comprising a hollow double-plate assembly whose temperature can be precisely controlled, and / or falls onto one or more heatable trays comprising a hollow double-plate assembly whose temperature can be precisely controlled. The temperature of the hollow double-plate assembly can be precisely controlled because a heat medium adjusted to a suitable and optimal temperature flows through the hollow space of the void chamber, so that not only the temperature of the upper plate is precisely controlled by the heat medium flowing through the hollow space below the lower side of the upper plate, and not only the temperature of the lower plate is precisely controlled by the heat medium flowing above the upper side of the lower plate, but in particular all channels through which the composition to be devolatilized flows downward through the hollow double-plate assembly are precisely controlled in temperature. Therefore, before the composition to be devolatilized falls down onto one or more heated trays, a large amount of volatile components have already evaporated from the composition to be devolatilized in the distributor, and the composition to be devolatilized is precisely heated while being held on the tray, then flows through the channels of the tray, and forms a falling strip at the lower side of the lower plate, falling down onto the next lower tray.As a result, volatile components are efficiently separated from the polymers in the composition to be devolatilized. Because each distributor and each tray can be individually and precisely temperature-controlled by appropriately adjusting the temperature of the heat medium conveyed through the hollow space of the interstitial chamber of the corresponding distributor or tray, the devolatilization apparatus according to the present invention allows for reliable control of the devolatilization operating temperature during operation of the devolatilization apparatus, and in particular, for reliable and independent control of the devolatilization operating temperature in different sections of the devolatilization apparatus. This allows for devolatilization not only of compositions containing temperature-sensitive polymers, but also of compositions containing a mixture of heat-sensitive volatile components and non-heat-sensitive volatile components. For example, the hollow double-plate assemblies of the trays installed in the upper section of the tank can be adjusted to a relatively low temperature to remove heat-sensitive volatile components, while the hollow double-plate assemblies of the trays installed in the lower section of the tank can be adjusted to a relatively high temperature to remove non-heat-sensitive volatile components. Furthermore, the devolatilization apparatus comprising a cartridge according to the present invention allows compensation for heat losses and temperature drops within the tank body caused by the evaporation of volatile components, due to one or more heatable trays and / or heatable distributors, each comprising a hollow double-plate assembly. Thus, the devolatilization apparatus comprising a cartridge allows for optimal devolatilization of the composition to be devolatilized at low operating costs, wherein the devolatilization apparatus is characterized by low capital expenditure, making it possible to obtain a devolatilized composition having optimal product quality, even when the composition to be devolatilized is a polymer composition comprising a particularly temperature-sensitive polymer.

[0011] To achieve a stable assembly, the cartridge preferably comprises at least two, preferably 2 to 20, more preferably 3 to 10, and most preferably 4 to 6, at least substantially vertically arranged beams, which are arranged spaced apart from one another so as to delimit the interior space, wherein the at least one supporting element is fixed to at least one of said beams. To ensure a good fit of the cartridge in the tank of the devolatilization apparatus, which tank generally has a circular cross-section, the beams are preferably arranged in the cartridge such that the interior space delimited by the beams has a circular cross-section, i.e., the beams are preferably arranged concentrically around the midpoint of the cartridge base.

[0012] The present invention is not particularly limited by the number of support elements. The optimal number of support elements depends on the number of heatable trays and heatable distributors to be arranged in the cartridge, as well as the size and shape of the support elements. Generally, good results are achieved when the cartridge comprises at least 2, preferably 2 to 200, more preferably 4 to 100, and most preferably 10 to 60 support elements, on each of which a heatable tray or a heatable distributor can be removably or fixedly arranged, wherein a central inlet line for the heating medium can be connected to all inlets of each heatable tray and / or heatable distributor, and wherein a central outlet line for the heating medium can be connected to all outlets of each heatable tray and / or heatable distributor.

[0013] In order to stably arrange the cartridge and to prevent undesirable compounds from possibly entering the cartridge from the top, the cartridge preferably further comprises at least one bottom element and / or a top cover. While the bottom element may be composed, for example, of a base plate covering the entire cartridge cross section, a base plate in the form of a circular ring covering the outer circumference of the cartridge cross section, or two to four base plates in the form of circular ring segments each covering a portion of the outer circumference of the cartridge cross section, the top cover is preferably dome-shaped.

[0014] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drum comprises at least four, preferably 3 to 10, and most preferably 4 to 6, at least substantially vertically arranged beams, which are arranged spaced apart from one another so as to delimit an interior space having an at least substantially circular cross-section, wherein each of the at least one support element is a circular ring segment that is fixed to at least one beam such that its longitudinal axis extends at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam to which it is fixed. Depending on the size of the individual support elements, preferably two to six, more preferably two to four, such as two, three, or four, support elements, each in the form of a circular ring segment, are arranged at the same height or level of the beams so that together they form a stable foundation for arranging the heatable trays and / or heatable distributors. The drum then comprises several levels of such support elements, each level being capable of supporting the heatable trays and / or heatable distributors. Each support element can extend within the interior space of the drum or at least partially outside it.

[0015] In a further development of the inventive concept, it is proposed that the central inlet line of the cartridge is an at least essentially vertically arranged conduit, which has a plurality of outlets corresponding to the number of heatable trays and heatable distributors and can be connected thereto, and wherein the central outlet line is an at least essentially vertically arranged conduit, which has a plurality of inlets corresponding to the number of heatable trays and heatable distributors and can be connected thereto, which heatable trays and heatable distributors can be arranged in the cartridge.

[0016] To precisely control the amount of heating medium entering each heatable tray and heatable distributor arranged within the cartridge, a pressure balancing device is preferably provided between the cartridge's central heating medium inlet line and the inlet of at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor, and / or between the outlet of at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor and the cartridge's central heating medium outlet line. This facilitates precise and individual temperature control within each heatable tray and heatable distributor. Good results are particularly achieved when the pressure balancing device is selected from the group consisting of valves, orifice plates, rods, mixers, and combinations thereof.

[0017] All of the at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor may be arranged in series or in parallel with respect to the central inlet line and the central outlet line of the cartridge for the heating medium. In this context, "in series" means that the heatable trays and the heatable distributors are arranged such that the heating medium flows from the central inlet line for the heating medium, subsequently passes through all of the heatable trays and the heatable distributors, and then the heating medium leaves the cartridge via the central outlet line for the heating medium, while "in parallel" means that the heatable trays and the heatable distributors are arranged such that the heating medium flows from the central inlet line for the heating medium of the cartridge into each of the heatable trays and the heatable distributors, respectively, and exits each heatable tray and the heatable distributor into the central outlet line for the heating medium, and then the heating medium leaves the cartridge via the central outlet line. More preferably, the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor are arranged in parallel with respect to the central inlet line and the central outlet line of the cartridge for the heating medium.

[0018] According to the present invention, at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor at least one section comprises a hollow double plate component. Preferably, the entirety of the at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor comprises a hollow double plate component when viewed in a horizontal plane.

[0019] Furthermore, the plurality of channels of the hollow double-plate assembly of the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor are fluid-tightly separated from the hollow space defined in the interstitial chamber between the channels. According to the present invention, this means that the fluid flowing through the channels from the upper plate to the lower plate, i.e., the composition to be devolatilized, cannot enter the hollow space in which the heat medium flows, and the heat medium flowing in the hollow space cannot enter the channels. In this regard, a plurality of channels means two or more, preferably five or more, and more preferably ten or more channels.

[0020] According to the present invention, the hollow double-panel assembly of the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor comprises an upper plate and a lower plate arranged one above the other. This means that, in addition to the upper and lower plates, baffles and / or weirs and / or sidewalls may be arranged within or on the hollow double-panel assembly. Theoretically, the hollow double-panel assembly may include one or more additional plates in addition to the upper or lower plates, but preferably, the hollow double-panel assembly does not include any additional plates in addition to the upper or lower plates.

[0021] The present invention has no particular limitations regarding the relative orientation of the upper and lower plates of the hollow double plate assembly. Preferably, the upper and lower plates are arranged at least substantially parallel to one another. According to the present invention, "at least substantially parallel to one another" means that the upper and lower plates are tilted relative to one another by no more than 10°, preferably no more than 5°, more preferably no more than 2°, and even more preferably no more than 1°. Most preferably, the upper and lower plates are arranged parallel to one another, i.e., they are not tilted relative to one another.

[0022] In a further development of the inventive concept, it is proposed that the upper and lower plates of the hollow double plate assembly are connected to each other at their sides by side walls, defining an interstitial chamber between the side walls. Thus, in a simple manner, the interstitial chamber of the hollow double plate assembly can be separated from the surrounding environment in a fluid-tight manner.

[0023] The present invention is not particularly limited in the shape of the upper and lower plates of the hollow double-plate assembly. For example, when viewed from above, the upper and lower plates may have polygonal, rectangular, square, circular, elliptical, or trapezoidal shapes. However, it is preferred that both the upper and lower plates have the same shape. Most preferably, when viewed from above, the upper and lower plates have a rectangular shape, or at least a substantially rectangular shape.

[0024] There are no particular restrictions on the material of the upper and lower plates of the hollow double-plate assembly, as long as the material has reasonably good thermal conductivity, is resistant to the composition to be devolatilized, and is mechanically stable. Good results are particularly achieved when each of the upper and lower plates is made of stainless steel, carbon steel, or the like.

[0025] The preferred thickness of the upper and lower plates of the hollow double plate assembly depends on the mechanical stability of the material from which they are made, with the thickness preferably being as small as possible to ensure rapid and efficient heat transfer from the heat medium flowing through the hollow space of the void chamber through the plates. In view of this, it is preferred that each of the upper and lower plates have a thickness of 1 to 10 mm, and more preferably 3.5 to 6 mm.

[0026] According to the present invention, each opening of the upper plate of the hollow double plate assembly is surrounded on its lower side by a wall extending through the void chamber and surrounding the opening of the lower plate on its upper side, so as to form a plurality of channels, such that each channel fluidly connects an opening of the upper plate with an opening of the lower plate, thereby allowing the composition to be devolatilized to flow from the upper plate through the channel to the lower plate and fall downwardly therefrom in the shape of falling strips. In view of this, it is preferred that the upper plate and the lower plate have the same number of openings.

[0027] In a further development of the inventive concept, it is proposed that the total area of ​​all openings in the upper plate of the hollow double plate assembly is 0.1-40%, preferably 1-10%, of the total surface area of ​​the upper plate, and the total area of ​​all openings in the lower plate is 0.1-40%, preferably 1-10%, of the total surface area of ​​the lower plate. Thus, on the one hand, there is sufficient non-perforated surface on the upper side of the upper plate to precisely heat the composition to be devolatilized to the desired optimal temperature, and on the other hand, there is sufficient open area to allow a sufficient amount of composition to flow downward through the channels and exit the hollow double plate assembly as falling strips.

[0028] The present invention is not particularly restrictive regarding the shape of the channels of the hollow double-panel assembly. They may or may not have the same shape as the opening, and they may or may not have a constant cross-sectional area over their length, i.e., viewed in the vertical direction. However, particularly good results are achieved when the channels have at least substantially the same shape as the opening and when they have at least substantially constant cross-sectional area over their length.

[0029] Similarly, the present invention does not specifically limit the cross-sectional shape of the openings in the hollow double-plate assembly. For example, some, or preferably all, of the openings in the upper and lower plates may have polygonal, rectangular, square, circular, elliptical, or trapezoidal cross-sectional shapes. More preferably, at least some, and most preferably all, of the openings in the upper and lower plates have circular cross-sectional shapes. In view of this, it is preferred that the openings in the upper and lower plates have circular cross-sectional shapes, wherein at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 95%, and most preferably all of the openings in the upper and lower plates have at least substantially the same diameter. In this regard, at least substantially the same diameter means that any opening has a diameter that differs from the average diameter of all openings by no more than 20%, preferably no more than 10%, more preferably no more than 5%, and most preferably no more than 1%. Most preferably, all openings have the same diameter. The average diameter of all openings is the sum of the diameters of all openings in the upper and lower plates divided by the total number of openings in the upper and lower plates. In other words, it is most preferred that the channel have a cylindrical shape with at least a substantially constant diameter along its length, and most preferably a constant diameter. In this case, the diameter of the openings of the upper plate is the same as the diameter of the corresponding openings of the lower plate, and the corresponding openings of the lower plate are connected to the openings of the upper plate via the wall. However, if the openings have a shape other than a circular cross-sectional shape, such as a rectangular cross-sectional shape, then preferably at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 95%, and most preferably all of the openings of the upper and lower plates have at least substantially the same cross-sectional area, wherein at least substantially the same cross-sectional area means that any opening has a cross-sectional area that differs from the average cross-sectional area of ​​all openings by no more than 20%, preferably no more than 10%, more preferably no more than 5%, and most preferably no more than 1%.

[0030] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the average longest dimension of the openings of the hollow double-panel assembly is 5 to 50 mm, 20 to 80 mm, or 50 to 150 mm. The longest dimension of an opening refers to the longest possible line connecting a point on the perimeter of the opening with a point on the perimeter located on the opposite side of the opening. More preferably, the openings of the upper and lower panels have a circular cross-sectional shape, wherein the average diameter of the openings is 5 to 50 mm, 20 to 80 mm, or 50 to 150 mm. The preferred diameter depends on the viscosity of the composition to be devolatilized and flowed through the openings. For example, if the viscosity of the composition to be devolatilized is from 10 to 1,000 Pa.s, the average longest dimension of the openings or, respectively, the average diameter is preferably from 5 to 50 mm, while if the viscosity of the composition to be devolatilized is from greater than 1,000 to less than 5,000 Pa.s, the average longest dimension of the openings or, respectively, the average diameter is preferably from 20 to 80 mm, and if the viscosity of the composition to be devolatilized is from 5,000 to 10,000 Pa.s, the average longest dimension of the openings or, respectively, the average diameter is preferably from 50 to 150 mm.

[0031] The function of the hollow space of the interstitial chamber of the hollow double-plate assembly is to precisely and uniformly regulate the temperature of the composition to be devolatilized, which flows through the upper plate and from the upper plate to the lower plate through the channels. The heat medium is introduced into the hollow space of the interstitial chamber through the inlet for the heat medium, extruded through the hollow space, and withdrawn from the hollow space through the outlet for the heat medium. To ensure that the heat medium has sufficient volume to precisely and uniformly regulate the temperature of the upper plate, lower plate, and channel walls, and thereby precisely and uniformly regulate the temperature of the composition to be devolatilized, which flows through the upper plate and from the upper plate to the lower plate through the channels, the height of the hollow space of the interstitial chamber is preferably 2 to 50 mm, more preferably 2 to 20 mm, even more preferably 4 to 12 mm, and most preferably between 6 and 8 mm. The height of the hollow space is the distance between the lower side of the upper plate and the upper side of the lower plate. If the upper and lower plates are not parallel to each other, the height of the hollow space is the average distance between the lower side of the upper plate and the upper side of the lower plate, wherein the average distance is the sum of the heights of adjacent vertical segments of the hollow space divided by the number of adjacent vertical segments.

[0032] The present invention is not particularly limited in terms of the shape of the inlet and outlet for the heat medium connected to the hollow space of the void chamber of the hollow double-plate assembly. For example, each of the inlet and outlet is a pipeline, and preferably a pipe, which extends through the opening of the side wall surrounding the void chamber into the hollow space. Both the inlet and outlet can be arranged on one side of the hollow double-plate assembly or on the opposite side of the hollow double-plate assembly. Alternatively, each of the inlet and outlet is a pipeline, and preferably a pipe, which extends through the opening of the upper plate or the lower plate into the hollow space. Also alternatively, one of the inlet and outlet is a pipeline, and preferably a pipe, which extends through the opening of the side wall surrounding the void chamber into the hollow space, while the other of the inlet and outlet is a pipeline, and preferably a pipe, which extends through the opening of the upper plate or the lower plate into the hollow space.

[0033] To achieve uniform distribution of the heating medium within the hollow space of the interstitial chamber of the hollow double-panel assembly, it is preferred that one or more, more preferably one to ten, and even more preferably two to five, at least substantially vertically arranged baffles are arranged within the hollow space of the interstitial chamber and extend over a portion of the hollow space to guide the heating medium within the hollow space of the interstitial chamber. In this context, at least substantially vertical means that the angle between the baffles and the vertical direction is at most 10°, preferably at most 5°, more preferably at most 1°, and most preferably 0°. Particularly good results are achieved when the baffles are preferably arranged at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hollow double-panel assembly. In this context, at least substantially perpendicular means that the angle between the baffles and the longitudinal direction of the hollow double-panel assembly is 80° to 100°, preferably 85° to 95°, more preferably at most 89° to 91°, and most preferably 90°. In a preferred embodiment, at least some adjacent baffles each extend from opposite side walls of the interstitial chamber in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hollow double-panel assembly. In another preferred embodiment, all adjacent baffles each extend from opposing side walls of the void chamber in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length axis of the hollow double plate assembly.

[0034] According to the present invention, at least a portion of at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor of the cartridge comprises the aforementioned hollow double-plate assembly. Preferably, at least 50%, more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 90%, even more preferably at least 95%, and most preferably the entire area of ​​the heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor, as viewed in a horizontal plane, is formed by the hollow double-plate assembly.

[0035] Alternatively, the at least one heatable distributor of the cartridge comprises an upstream end and a downstream end, wherein the hollow double plate assembly implemented as described above is arranged at or before the downstream end. Furthermore, it is preferred that the upstream end of the at least one heatable distributor is connected to the inlet for the composition to be devolatilized.

[0036] If the heatable tray and / or heatable distributor of the cartridge exceeds a certain size, it is no longer practical to produce the heatable tray and / or heatable distributor from a single hollow double-plate assembly, and instead the heatable tray and / or heatable distributor may be produced from more than one hollow double-plate assembly. For this reason, the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor preferably comprises 1 to 10, more preferably 2 to 5, and most preferably 2 to 4, such as 3, of the aforementioned hollow double-plate assemblies. If the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor comprises more than one hollow double-plate assembly, two or more hollow double-plate assemblies are preferably arranged side by side. For example, adjacent double-plate assemblies are connected to each other by welding or one or more fasteners. In order to achieve a uniform distribution of the composition to be devolatilized on the surface of the at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor, it is proposed in a further development of the concept of the invention that a perforated weir extending at least essentially vertically is arranged between two adjacent double-plate assemblies, wherein preferably the perforated weir extends over the entire length or width of the at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor so as to allow the composition to flow from one hollow double-plate assembly to an adjacent hollow double-plate assembly only via the openings of the perforated weir. For example, the perforated weir has a height of 20 to 50 mm and preferably 30 to 40 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the perforated weir also includes one or more holes that allow one or more fasteners to connect adjacent double-plate assemblies to each other.

[0037] Good results are particularly achieved when the total area of ​​all openings of the porous weir is 1% to 30%, and preferably 10% to 20%, of the total surface area of ​​the porous weir. It is further preferred that the openings of the porous weir have a circular cross-sectional shape, wherein at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 95%, and most preferably all openings of the porous weir have at least substantially the same diameter, wherein at least substantially the same diameter means that the openings have a diameter that differs from the average diameter of all openings by no more than 20%, preferably no more than 10%, more preferably no more than 5%, and most preferably no more than 1%. For example, the openings of the porous weir have a circular cross-sectional shape and a diameter of 5 to 30 mm, and preferably 10 to 20 mm.

[0038] In order to prevent the composition to be devolatilized from flowing over the perimeter of the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor, and in order to regulate the residence time of the composition to be devolatilized on top of and inside the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is proposed that the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor is surrounded by a non-perforated weir arranged at least substantially vertically. Therefore, the non-perforated weir is preferably connected to the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor in a fluid-tight manner. In this regard, being surrounded means that the non-perforated weir is arranged and connected on an outer part of the top surface of the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor, or preferably is connected to the peripheral area of ​​the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor. The outer part of the top surface of the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor means the outer part of at most 20% of the area of ​​the top surface of the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor. It is particularly possible that the sidewalls and the non-perforated weir connecting the upper and lower plates of the hollow double plate assembly are one element, such as a metal or plastic plate, wherein the portion of the combined sidewall and non-perforated weir extending between the upper and lower plates is referred to as the sidewall, and the portion of the combined sidewall and non-perforated weir extending outside thereof is referred to as the non-perforated weir. Good results are particularly achieved when the non-perforated weir surrounding the at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor is arranged at least substantially vertically and / or at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum. In this context, at least substantially vertical means that the angle between the non-perforated weir and the vertical is at most 10°, preferably at most 5°, more preferably at most 1°, and most preferably 0°, while at least substantially perpendicular means that the angle between the non-perforated weir and the longitudinal axis of the drum is 80° to 100°, preferably 85° to 95°, more preferably at most 89° to 91°, and most preferably 90°. The non-perforated weir can be a thin metal or plastic plate having a thickness of, for example, 1 to 20 mm.

[0039] Particularly preferably, the non-perforated weir extends upwards, seen from the top of the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor. Good results are particularly achieved when the non-perforated weir has a height of 50 to 500 mm, and preferably 100 to 200 mm.

[0040] According to another particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cartridge comprises a heatable distributor and 2 to 20, preferably 5 to 15, and more preferably 7 to 12, heatable trays. Preferably, each heatable tray comprises one or more of the aforementioned hollow double-plate assemblies over its entire area, viewed in a horizontal plane. The heatable distributor comprises one or more of the aforementioned hollow double-plate assemblies over its entire area, viewed in a horizontal plane, or alternatively, the heatable distributor comprises one or more of the aforementioned hollow double-plate assemblies at or before its downstream end, while the upstream end is implemented differently. Preferably, the upstream end of the distributor is connected to the inlet for the composition to be devolatilized.

[0041] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a devolatilization apparatus for devolatilizing a composition comprising volatile components, such as a solid or liquid polymer composition comprising unreacted monomers, solvents and / or by-products, wherein the devolatilization apparatus comprises a tank comprising at least one inlet for the composition to be devolatilized, at least one outlet for the devolatilized composition, at least one outlet for gas and at least one cartridge as previously described.

[0042] According to the present invention, the barrel comprises at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor arranged in the barrel, and at least one support element on which the at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor is arranged. This means that the at least one heatable distributor and / or the at least one heatable distributor are arranged in the barrel, and more specifically, on the at least one support element. However, one or more heatable distributors and / or one or more heatable trays may be arranged outside the barrel, but within the tank of the devolatilization device. For example, the devolatilization device may comprise a heatable distributor and one or more heatable trays, wherein the one or more heatable trays are all arranged in the barrel, wherein the heatable distributor is arranged in the tank of the devolatilization device, but outside, i.e. above the barrel. However, it is also possible that all heatable distributors and all heatable trays are arranged in the barrel.

[0043] The at least one heatable sparger can be arranged horizontally or vertically within the devolatilization apparatus, or more specifically within the tank or drum. Horizontal means that the longitudinal axis of the at least one heatable sparger extends at least substantially horizontally, i.e., at an angle of -10° to +10°, preferably -5° to +5°, and more preferably 0°, to the horizontal plane, while vertical means that the longitudinal axis of the at least one heatable sparger extends at least substantially vertically, i.e., at an angle of -10° to +10°, preferably -5° to +5°, and more preferably 0°, to the vertical plane. If arranged vertically, the at least one heatable sparger can preferably extend downward from the top of the drum or drum.

[0044] In a further development of the inventive concept, it is provided that the at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor arranged in the cartridge extends over 20% to 95%, more preferably 40% to 90%, and most preferably 70% to 90% of the cross-sectional area of ​​the tank. The entire peripheral area of ​​the at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor is not directly connected to the tank wall, i.e., the at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor does not directly contact the tank wall at all. If the cartridge, and therefore the devolatilization apparatus, comprises more than one heatable tray and / or more than one heatable distributor, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably all of the heatable trays and heatable distributors are embodied as described above.

[0045] Preferably, the drum and therefore the devolatilization device comprises a heatable distributor and 2 to 20, preferably 5 to 15 and more preferably 7 to 12 heatable trays, wherein, seen in a horizontal plane, each heatable tray comprises one or more hollow double-plate assemblies over its entire area, and wherein the heatable distributor comprises one or more hollow double-plate assemblies at least at or before its downstream end.

[0046] Preferably, the devolatilizer is embodied as a static devolatilizer, ie it comprises no moving parts.

[0047] Additionally, the devolatilizer may include a pump for generating a sub-atmospheric pressure within the vessel during operation of the devolatilizer.

[0048] In a further development of the inventive concept, it is proposed that the tank body comprises a central inlet for the heating medium and a central outlet for the heating medium, wherein the central inlet for the heating medium of the tank body is connected to the central inlet pipeline for the heating medium of the cartridge, and wherein the central outlet for the heating medium of the tank body is connected to the central outlet pipeline for the heating medium of the cartridge.

[0049] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for devolatilizing a composition comprising volatile components, the method comprising the steps of feeding the composition into the inlet of the above-mentioned devolatilization device, feeding a heating medium into the at least one heatable tray and / or optionally at least one heatable distributor, withdrawing gas from the outlet for gas, and withdrawing the devolatilized composition from the outlet for the devolatilized composition.

[0050] Preferably, a polymer composition comprising monomers and solvent is used as the composition to be devolatilized.

[0051] For example, the composition to be devolatilized has a viscosity of 1 to 10,000 Pa.s, measured using a plate-plate or cone-plate or cylinder type rheometer at the devolatilization operating temperature, which is defined by the physical properties of the various feed polymer solutions.

[0052] The pressure and temperature regulated within the tank during the process depend on the specific composition being devolatilized. For example, the pressure within the tank may be regulated to 0.1 to 1,500 kPa, and preferably 0.1 to 200 kPa, such as 0.5 kPa, 1 kPa, 3 kPa, 5 kPa, 10 kPa, 20 kPa, 50 kPa, 80 kPa, 100 kPa, 200 kPa, 500 kPa, 800 kPa, 1000 kPa, or 1300 kPa, and the heating medium in each hollow space of the hollow double-plate assembly may be regulated to 40 to 300° C., and preferably 70 to 250° C., such as 50° C., 60° C., 70° C., 80° C., 100° C., 130° C., 150° C., 170° C., 190° C., 210° C., 230° C., 250° C., 270° C., or 290° C.

[0053] Suitable examples of polymer compositions to be devolatilized are compositions based on polyacrylonitrile, polylactic acid, polyolefins, polyolefin elastomers and / or synthetic rubbers.

[0054] In a further development of the inventive concept, it is provided that in the method, a composition is devolatilized, the composition being a mixture comprising: i) at least one thermosensitive polymer and / or thermosensitive monomer and ii) at least one non-thermosensitive polymer and / or non-thermosensitive monomer. In this embodiment, the method is preferably carried out in a devolatilization apparatus comprising at least one and preferably at least two trays in the upper section of the tank, each tray comprising a hollow double-panel assembly, and at least one and preferably at least two trays in the lower section of the tank, each tray comprising a hollow double-panel assembly, wherein all trays are arranged in a drum, and wherein the hollow double-panel assemblies of the trays installed in the upper section of the tank are regulated to a relatively low temperature in order to remove the thermosensitive components there, while the hollow double-panel assemblies of the trays installed in the lower section of the tank are regulated to a higher temperature in order to remove the non-thermosensitive components there.

[0055] The process according to the invention allows reducing the content of non-polymeric compounds in the polymer composition to less than 600,000 ppm, preferably less than 200,000 ppm, more preferably less than 100 ppm and most preferably less than 10 ppm.

[0056] Subsequently, the present patent application is described by way of example with reference to advantageous embodiments and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] Here it is shown:

[0058] Figure 1 A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a devolatilization apparatus comprising a cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0059] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a cartridge for holding a heatable tray is shown, the cartridge being included in Figure 1 In the devolatilization equipment shown.

[0060] Figure 3 Shown Figure 1 A perspective view of the heatable tray of the devolatilization apparatus is shown.

[0061] Figure 4 Shown Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the hollow double panel assembly of the heatable tray is shown.

[0062] Figure 5a and 5b A schematic cross-sectional view and a schematic top view of a heatable sparger are shown, which can be included in a devolatilization apparatus according to the invention.

[0063] Figure 6 A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a devolatilization apparatus comprising a cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] Figure 1 The devolatilization device 10 shown for devolatilizing a composition containing volatile components, such as a solid or liquid polymer composition containing unreacted monomers and solvent, comprises a tank 12 comprising an inlet line 14 for the composition to be devolatilized, a horizontally arranged heatable distributor 50 connected to the inlet line 14, an outlet line 16 for the devolatilized composition, an outlet line 18 for the gas and a drum 62, wherein five heatable trays 20, 20' are arranged one above the other, wherein adjacent trays are rotated 90°. Figure 2The cylinder 62, shown in more detail in FIG, comprises several vertically arranged beams 64, which are arranged to be spaced apart from one another so as to delimit the hollow cylindrical interior space. Several annular tray support elements 66 are fixed to the beams 64, so that the heatable trays 20 (only one tray is shown in FIG5 ) can be removably arranged on the tray support elements 66. In addition, the cylinder 62 comprises a central inlet line 68 for the heating medium and a central outlet line 70 for the heating medium, wherein the inlet line 68 for the heating medium is connected to the inlet lines 42, 42', 42" of the heatable trays 20, 20', and the outlet line 70 for the heating medium is connected to the outlet lines 44, 44' of the heatable trays 20, 20'.

[0065] like Figure 3 and 4 As shown in more detail in , each heatable tray 20, 20' comprises three hollow double plate assemblies 22, 22', 22" arranged side by side, wherein adjacent hollow double plate assemblies 22, 22', 22" are welded to each other and an at least substantially vertically arranged perforated weir 24 is arranged between two adjacent hollow double plate assemblies 22, 22', 22". At its outer periphery, the trays 20, 20' are each surrounded by a vertically arranged non-perforated weir 26. Each hollow double plate assembly 22, 22', 22" comprises an upper plate 28 and a lower plate 30, which are arranged one above the other but spaced apart so as to define a void chamber 32 therebetween. Each of the upper plate 28 and the lower plate 30 includes a plurality of openings 34, wherein each opening 34 of the upper plate 28 is surrounded by a wall 36 that extends through the void chamber 32 and surrounds the opening of the lower plate to form a plurality of channels 38 that are fluid-tightly separated from a hollow space 40 defined in the void chamber 32 between the channels 38. Each hollow double plate assembly 22, 22', 22" includes an inlet line 42, 42', 42" for a thermal medium and an outlet line 44', 44" for the thermal medium. Figure 3 Only two are shown in the figure). The inlet lines 42, 42″ for the heat medium and the outlet lines 44″ for the heat medium of the two outer hollow double plate assemblies 22, 22″ enter the two outer hollow double plate assemblies 22, 22″ from below, while the inlet line 42′ for the heat medium and the outlet line 44′ for the heat medium of the middle hollow double plate assembly 22′ enter the middle hollow double plate assembly 22′ from above. Each inlet line 42, 42′, 42″ for the heat medium and each outlet line 44′, 44″ for the heat medium actually consists of two pipes 46, 46′, which are connected to each other by means of a flange 48 arranged inside the tank body 12. The alternating arrangement of the inlet lines 42, 42′, 42″ for the heat medium and the outlet lines 44′, 44″ for the heat medium facilitates installation in the cylinder.

[0066] Figure 5a and 5b A heatable distributor 50 is shown, which can be included in the cartridge and the devolatilization apparatus according to the present invention. The heatable distributor 50 comprises an upstream end 52 and a downstream end 54, wherein, shortly before the downstream end 54, three hollow double-plate assemblies 22, 22', 22" embodied as described above are arranged. Furthermore, at the upstream end 52 of the heatable distributor 50, an inlet line 60 for the composition to be devolatilized is arranged. During operation of the distributor, the liquid level can reach the dashed line 61.

[0067] Figure 6 The devolatilization apparatus 10 shown is for devolatilizing a composition comprising volatile components, such as a devolatilization apparatus for devolatilizing a solid or liquid polymer composition comprising unreacted monomers and solvent, and Figure 1 The devolatilization apparatus shown is similar but differs in that it comprises a vertically arranged heatable sparger 50 connected to the inlet line 14 and extending within the barrel 62 .

[0068] Reference Signs List

[0069] 10 Devolatilization equipment

[0070] 12 tank

[0071] 14 Inlet line for the composition to be devolatilized

[0072] 16 Outlet line for the devolatilized composition

[0073] 18 Export pipeline for gas

[0074] 20, 20' heated pallet

[0075] 22, 22', 22" hollow double panel components

[0076] 24 perforated weir

[0077] 26 Non-perforated weir

[0078] 28 Upper plate of hollow double plate assembly

[0079] 30 Lower plate of hollow double plate assembly

[0080] 32 Void chamber of hollow double plate assembly

[0081] 34 Openings in upper or lower panels

[0082] 36 Channel Wall

[0083] 38 Channels for hollow double-panel components

[0084] 40 Hollow space of hollow double-panel assembly

[0085] 42, 42', 42" for hot medium inlet pipeline

[0086] 44', 44" outlet pipeline for hot medium

[0087] 46, 46' pipe

[0088] 48 flange

[0089] 50 Heatable distributor

[0090] 52 Upstream end of heatable distributor

[0091] 54 The downstream end of the heatable distributor

[0092] 60 Heatable distributor inlet line

[0093] 61 Liquid level during distributor operation

[0094] 62 tubes

[0095] 64 tube beam

[0096] 66 Tray support element for cartridges

[0097] Central inlet line for 68 cartridges

[0098] Central outlet line for 70 cartridges

Claims

1. A cartridge comprising: at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor arranged within the barrel; at least one supporting element, on which at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable spreader are arranged; A central inlet line for a heating medium and a central outlet line for the heating medium, wherein at least one heatable tray and / or at least a section of the at least one heatable distributor comprises a hollow double plate assembly, the hollow double plate assembly comprising an upper plate and a lower plate, the upper and lower plates being arranged one above the other but spaced apart so as to define a void chamber therebetween, wherein each of the two plates comprises a plurality of openings, wherein each opening of the upper plate is surrounded by a wall extending through the void chamber and surrounding the opening of the lower plate so as to form a plurality of channels, the channels being fluid-tightly separated from the hollow spaces defined in the void chamber between the channels, wherein the hollow spaces are connected to an inlet for the heating medium and to an outlet for the heating medium, and wherein the central inlet line for the heating medium of the cartridge is connected to the inlet of the at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor, and wherein the central outlet line for the heating medium is connected to the outlet of the at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The cylinder comprises at least two, preferably 2 to 20, more preferably 3 to 10, and most preferably 4 to 6 at least substantially vertically arranged beams, which are arranged to be spaced apart from each other so as to define the boundaries of the interior space, wherein the at least one supporting element is fixed to at least one of the beams.

3. The cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The cartridge comprises at least 2, preferably 2 to 200, more preferably 4 to 100, and most preferably 10 to 60 support elements, on each of which a heatable tray or a heatable distributor can be removably or fixedly arranged, wherein a central inlet line for the heating medium can be connected to all inlets of each heatable tray and / or heatable distributor, and wherein a central outlet line for the heating medium can be connected to all outlets of each heatable tray and / or heatable distributor.

4. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The cartridge further comprises at least one bottom element and / or a top cover, wherein the top cover is preferably dome-shaped.

5. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The barrel comprises at least four, preferably 3 to 10, and most preferably 4 to 6 at least substantially vertically arranged beams, which are arranged to be spaced apart from each other so as to delimit an interior space having an at least substantially circular cross-section, wherein each of the at least one support element is a circular ring segment, which is fixed to at least one of the beams such that the circular ring segment extends with its longitudinal axis at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam to which it is fixed.

6. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The central inlet line of the cartridge is an at least substantially vertically arranged pipe having a plurality of outlets corresponding to the number of heatable trays and heatable distributors and connectable thereto, the heatable trays and heatable distributors being arrangeable in the cartridge, and wherein the central outlet line is an at least substantially vertically arranged pipe having a plurality of inlets corresponding to the number of heatable trays and heatable distributors and connectable thereto.

7. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein A pressure balancing device is provided between the central inlet line of the cartridge for the heating medium and the inlet of the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor, and / or a pressure balancing device is provided between the outlet of the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor and the central outlet line of the cartridge for the heating medium, wherein the pressure balancing device is preferably selected from the group consisting of valves, orifice plates, rods, mixers and combinations thereof.

8. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor are all arranged in series or preferably in parallel with each other.

9. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The upper plate and the lower plate of the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor are arranged at least substantially parallel to each other and wherein the upper plate and the lower plate are connected to each other at their sides by side walls defining an interstitial chamber between them.

10. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The height of the hollow space of the void chamber of the hollow double plate assembly is 2 to 50 mm, preferably 2 to 20 mm, more preferably 4 to 12 mm, and most preferably 6 to 8 mm.

11. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The upper and lower plates of the hollow double plate assembly are connected to each other at their sides by side walls defining a void chamber between the side walls, wherein an inlet for heat medium and an outlet for heat medium are pipes extending through one or both of the side walls.

12. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor comprises 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5, and more preferably 2 to 4 hollow double-plate components, wherein the at least one heatable tray and / or the at least one heatable distributor comprises at least two hollow double-plate components arranged side by side, wherein preferably a perforated weir arranged at least essentially vertically is arranged between two adjacent hollow double-plate components.

13. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor is surrounded by an at least essentially vertically arranged non-perforated weir, wherein, preferably, seen from the top of the at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor, the non-perforated weir extends upwards.

14. The cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising one heatable distributor and 2 to 20, preferably 5 to 15, and more preferably 7 to 12 heatable trays, wherein Each heatable tray comprises one or more hollow double plate assemblies over its entire area, viewed in a horizontal plane, and wherein the heatable distributor comprises one or more hollow double plate assemblies at least at or before its downstream end.

15. A devolatilization apparatus for devolatilizing a composition comprising volatile components, such as a solid or liquid polymer composition comprising unreacted monomers, solvents and / or by-products, wherein: The devolatilization apparatus comprises a tank comprising at least one inlet for the composition to be devolatilized, at least one outlet for the devolatilized composition, at least one outlet for gas and at least one cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims.

16. The devolatilization apparatus according to claim 15, wherein: The at least one heatable tray and / or at least one heatable distributor extends over 10 to 99%, preferably 20 to 95%, more preferably 40 to 90% and most preferably 70 to 90% of the cross-sectional area of ​​the tank.

17. Devolatilization apparatus according to claims 15 and 16, comprising one heatable sparger and 2 to 20, preferably 5 to 15, and more preferably 7 to 12 heatable trays, wherein Each heatable tray comprises one or more hollow double plate assemblies over its entire area, viewed in a horizontal plane, and wherein the heatable distributor comprises one or more hollow double plate assemblies at least at or before its downstream end.

18. A method for devolatilizing a composition comprising a volatile component, comprising the steps of: The composition is fed into the inlet of the devolatilization apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 17, a heating medium is fed into the at least one heatable tray and / or optionally the at least one heatable sparger, gas is withdrawn from the outlet for gas, and the devolatilized composition is withdrawn from the outlet for the devolatilized composition.

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