Process for the production of superabsorbents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for producing superabsorbents, wherein a monomer solution M is cooled by a heat exchanger W, the neutralization is interrupted to clean the heat exchanger W, and the heat exchanger W is emptied, filled with water or an aqueous solution and blow-dried.

Description

[0001] Process for producing superabsorbents

[0002] The present invention relates to a process for producing superabsorbents, wherein a monomer solution M is cooled by means of a heat exchanger W, the neutralization is interrupted to clean the heat exchanger W and the heat exchanger W is emptied, filled with water or an aqueous solution and blown empty.

[0003] Superabsorbents are used in the manufacture of diapers, tampons, sanitary pads, and other hygiene products, as well as as water-retaining agents in agricultural horticulture. Superabsorbents are also known as water-absorbing polymers.

[0004] The production of superabsorbents is described in the monograph ''Modern Superabsorbent Polymer Technology”, FL Buchholz and AT Graham, Wiley-VCH, 1998, pages 71 to 103.

[0005] To improve application properties such as gel bed permeability (GBP) and absorption under a pressure of 49.2 g / cm 2 (AUL0.7 psi), superabsorbent particles are generally surface-crosslinked. This increases the degree of crosslinking of the particle surface, which increases absorption under a pressure of 49.2 g / cm 2 (AUL 0.7 psi) and the centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) can be at least partially decoupled. This surface crosslinking can be carried out in the aqueous gel phase. Preferably, however, dried, ground, and sieved polymer particles (base polymer) are coated on the surface with a surface crosslinker and thermally surface crosslinked. Suitable crosslinkers for this purpose are compounds that can form covalent bonds with at least two carboxylate groups of the polymer particles.

[0006] WO 2007 / 028751 A1 relates to a neutralization process.

[0007] The object of the present invention was to provide an improved process for the production of superabsorbent particles, in particular an easier cleaning of the heat exchangers used.

[0008] The object was achieved by a process for producing superabsorbents, wherein at least one ethylenically unsaturated, acid group-bearing monomer is at least partially neutralized with an aqueous base, the resulting aqueous monomer solution M is cooled by means of a heat exchanger W, at least one crosslinker and at least one initiator are added to the aqueous monomer solution M, the aqueous monomer solution M is subsequently polymerized to form a polymer gel, the polymer gel is optionally extruded, the polymer gel is dried and the dried polymer gel is comminuted, classified and optionally thermally surface-postcrosslinked, characterized in that the neutralization is interrupted to clean the heat exchanger W and the heat exchanger W is emptied, filled with water or an aqueous solution and blown empty.

[0009] The heat exchanger W is preferably filled with water or an aqueous solution and blown dry at least twice, for example twice, three times, or four times. Preferably, the water or the aqueous solution contains essentially no polyvalent metal ions, in particular essentially no Ca 2+ -ions and / or Mg 2+ -ions.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the heat exchanger W is additionally filled with an alkaline solution, heated, and emptied. The heat exchanger W is preferably filled with an alkaline solution, heated, and emptied at least twice, for example twice, three times, or four times. The heat exchanger W can be emptied beforehand, filled with water or an aqueous solution, and blown dry. The heat exchanger W is preferably filled with water or an aqueous solution and blown dry at least twice, for example twice, three times, or four times.

[0011] The pH of the alkaline solution is preferably greater than 10, more preferably greater than 12, and most preferably greater than 14. A suitable alkaline solution is, for example, sodium hydroxide solution. The sodium hydroxide content in the sodium hydroxide solution is preferably at least 10% by weight, more preferably at least 25% by weight, and most preferably at least 40% by weight.

[0012] The alkaline solution is heated in the heat exchanger W to a temperature of preferably at least 30°C, more preferably at least 45°C, most preferably at least 60°C. The alkaline solution is heated in the heat exchanger W preferably for at least 5 minutes, more preferably at least 15 minutes, most preferably at least 25 minutes.

[0013] Figure 1 shows an example of a neutralization process. The reference symbols have the following meaning:

[0014] W heat exchanger

[0015] R ring line

[0016] P1 Pump in the ring line P2 Pump to the polymerization reactor

[0017] B (buffer) tank

[0018] Zi supply line

[0019] Z2 supply line

[0020] Z3 supply line

[0021] The present invention is based on the finding that the heat exchanger W can be cleaned easily and often without interrupting the polymerization process. Complex mechanical cleaning can be dispensed with.

[0022] The heat exchangers W used according to the invention are indirect heat exchangers and are also referred to as recuperators. There are plate heat exchangers, shell-and-tube heat exchangers, shell-and-tube heat exchangers, and hybrids thereof. The heat exchangers W used are not subject to any restrictions. Heat exchangers W preferred according to the invention are plate heat exchangers. A plate heat exchanger consists of parallel plates, with the spaces between them being alternately occupied by one medium and the other. A spiral heat exchanger is a special form of plate heat exchanger, in which a spirally wound sheet is used instead of flat plates.

[0023] The monomer solution M and the cooling medium can be conducted in countercurrent, cocurrent, crosscurrent, or cross-countercurrent flow. Countercurrent heat exchangers are preferred according to the invention. In a countercurrent heat exchanger, the substances are conducted such that they flow past each other in opposite directions. Ideally, the temperatures of the substance flows are exchanged, meaning that the originally cold medium reaches the temperature of the originally hot medium, and vice versa. In practice, however, a complete exchange of temperatures is not possible.

[0024] The production of superabsorbents is explained in more detail below:

[0025] The superabsorbents are produced by polymerizing a monomer solution and are usually water-insoluble.

[0026] The ethylenically unsaturated, acid-containing monomers are preferably water-soluble, i.e., the solubility in water at 23°C is typically at least 1 g / 100 g water, preferably at least 5 g / 100 g water, more preferably at least 25 g / 100 g water, most preferably at least 35 g / 100 g water. Suitable monomers include, for example, ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and itaconic acid. Particularly preferred monomers are acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. Acrylic acid is very particularly preferred.

[0027] The ethylenically unsaturated, acid-containing monomers are usually partially neutralized. Neutralization is carried out at the monomer stage. This is usually done by mixing in the neutralizing agent as an aqueous solution or, preferably, as a solid. The degree of neutralization is preferably from 40 to 85 mol%, more preferably from 50 to 80 mol%, most preferably from 60 to 75 mol%, and the usual neutralizing agents can be used, preferably alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal oxides, alkali metal carbonates, or alkali metal bicarbonates, and mixtures thereof. Ammonium salts can also be used instead of alkali metal salts. Sodium and potassium are particularly preferred as alkali metals, but very particular preference is given to sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, or sodium bicarbonate, and mixtures thereof, in particular sodium hydroxide.

[0028] The monomers usually contain polymerization inhibitors, preferably hydroquinone hemiether, as storage stabilizers.

[0029] Suitable crosslinkers are compounds with at least two groups suitable for crosslinking. Examples of such groups include ethylenically unsaturated groups that can be radically polymerized into the polymer chain and functional groups that can form covalent bonds with the acid groups of the monomer. Polyvalent metal salts that can form coordinate bonds with at least two acid groups of the monomer are also suitable as crosslinkers.

[0030] Suitable crosslinkers are, for example, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, allyl methacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, triallylamine, tetraallylammonium chloride, tetraallyloxyethane, as described in EP 0 530 438 A1, di- and triacrylates, as described in EP 0 547 847 A1, EP 0 559 476 A1, EP 0 632 068 A1, WO 93 / 21237 A1, WO 03 / 104299 A1, WO 03 / 104300 A1, WO 03 / 104301 A1 and DE 103 31 450 A1, mixed acrylates which, in addition to acrylate groups, contain further ethylenically unsaturated groups, as in DE 103 31 456 A1 and DE 103 55 401 A1, or crosslinker mixtures, as described, for example, in DE 195 43 368 A1, DE 19646 484 A1, WO 90 / 15830 A1 and WO 02 / 032962 A2. The amount of crosslinker is preferably 0.05 to 1.5 wt. %, more preferably 0.1 to 1 wt. %, most preferably 0.15 to 0.6 wt. %, in each case calculated based on the total amount of monomer used.With increasing crosslinker content, the centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) and the absorption under a pressure of 21.0 g / cm decrease. 2 (AUL0.3psi) passes through a maximum.

[0031] Any compounds that generate radicals under the polymerization conditions can be used as initiators, for example, thermal initiators, redox initiators, and photoinitiators. Suitable redox initiators are sodium peroxodisulfate / ascorbic acid, hydrogen peroxide / ascorbic acid, sodium peroxodisulfate / sodium bisulfite, and hydrogen peroxide / sodium bisulfite. Mixtures of thermal initiators and redox initiators, such as sodium peroxodisulfate / hydrogen peroxide / ascorbic acid, are preferably used. The disodium salt of 2-hydroxy-2-sulfonatoacetic acid or a mixture of the sodium salt of 2-hydroxy-2-sulfinatoacetic acid, the disodium salt of 2-hydroxy-2-sulfonatoacetic acid, and sodium bisulfite is preferably used as the reducing component. Such mixtures are available as Brüggolite® FF6 and Brüggolite® FF7 (Brüggemann Chemicals; Heilbronn; Germany).

[0032] The water content of the monomer solution M is preferably from 40 to 75 wt.%, particularly preferably from 45 to 70 wt.%, most preferably from 50 to 65 wt.%. As the water content increases, the energy required for subsequent drying increases, and as the water content decreases, the heat of polymerization can only be dissipated insufficiently.

[0033] The temperature of the monomer solution M is preferably from 10 to 90°C, particularly preferably from 20 to 70°C, most preferably from 30 to 50°C.

[0034] The preferred polymerization inhibitors require dissolved oxygen for optimal effectiveness. Therefore, the monomer solution can be freed of dissolved oxygen before polymerization by inerting, i.e., by flowing an inert gas, preferably nitrogen or carbon dioxide. The oxygen content of the monomer solution before polymerization is preferably reduced to less than 1 ppm by weight, more preferably to less than 0.5 ppm by weight, most preferably to less than 0.1 ppm by weight.

[0035] Suitable reactors for polymerization include kneader reactors or belt reactors. In the kneader, the polymer gel formed during the polymerization of an aqueous monomer solution or suspension is continuously comminuted by, for example, counter-rotating agitator shafts, as described in WO 2001 / 038402 A1. Belt polymerization is described, for example, in DE 38 25 366 A1 and US Pat. No. 6,241,928. Polymerization in a belt reactor produces a polymer gel that must be comminuted, for example, in an extruder or kneader.

[0036] To improve the drying properties, the crushed polymer gel obtained by means of a kneader can be additionally extruded.

[0037] The polymer gel is then typically dried using a circulating air belt dryer until the residual moisture content is preferably 0.5 to 10 wt.%, particularly preferably 1 to 7 wt.%, most preferably 2 to 5 wt.%, wherein the residual moisture content is determined according to the EDANA-recommended test method No. WSP 230.2-05 "Mass Loss Upon Heating." If the residual moisture content is too high, the dried polymer gel will have a glass transition temperature T too low. gand is difficult to process further. If the residual moisture content is too low, the dried polymer gel is too brittle, and undesirably large amounts of polymer particles with too small a particle size ("fines") are produced in the subsequent comminution steps. The solids content of the polymer gel before drying is preferably between 25 and 90 wt. %, more preferably between 35 and 70 wt. %, and most preferably between 40 and 60 wt. %. The dried polymer gel is then crushed and optionally coarsely crushed.

[0038] The dried polymer gel is then usually ground and classified, whereby single- or multi-stage roller mills, preferably two- or three-stage roller mills, pin mills, hammer mills or vibrating mills can be used for grinding.

[0039] The average particle size of the polymer particles separated as the product fraction is preferably from 150 to 850 pm, more preferably from 250 to 600 pm, and most preferably from 300 to 500 pm. The average particle size of the product fraction can be determined using the EDANA-recommended test method No. WSP 220.2 (05) "Particle Size Distribution," in which the mass fractions of the sieve fractions are plotted cumulatively and the average particle size is determined graphically. The average particle size is the mesh size value resulting for a cumulative 50 wt.%.

[0040] The polymer particles can be thermally surface-crosslinked to further improve their properties. Suitable surface-crosslinkers are compounds containing groups that can form covalent bonds with at least two carboxylate groups of the polymer particles. Suitable compounds include, for example, polyfunctional amines, polyfunctional amidoamines, polyfunctional epoxides, as described in EP 0 083 022 A2, EP 0 543 303 A1, and EP 0 937 736 A2, di- or polyfunctional alcohols, as described in DE 33 14 019 A1, DE 3523617 A1, and EP 0 450 922 A2, or ß-hydroxyalkylamides, as described in DE 102 04 938 A1 and US Pat. No. 6,239,230.

[0041] The amount of surface postcrosslinker is preferably 0.001 to 2 wt.%, particularly preferably 0.01 to 1 wt.%, very particularly preferably 0.03 to 0.7 wt.%, in each case based on the polymer particles.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, polyvalent cations are applied to the particle surface in addition to the surface postcrosslinkers.

[0043] The polyvalent cations usable in the process according to the invention include, for example, divalent cations, such as the cations of zinc, magnesium, calcium, and strontium; trivalent cations, such as the cations of aluminum, iron, chromium, rare earths, and manganese; and tetravalent cations, such as the cations of titanium and zirconium. Possible counterions include chloride, bromide, hydroxide, sulfate, hydrogen sulfate, carbonate, hydrogen carbonate, nitrate, phosphate, hydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate, and carboxylates, such as acetate and lactate. Aluminum hydroxide, aluminum sulfate, and aluminum lactate are preferred.

[0044] The amount of polyvalent cation used is, for example, 0.001 to 1.5 wt.%, preferably 0.005 to 1 wt.%, particularly preferably 0.02 to 0.8 wt.%, in each case based on the polymer.

[0045] Surface post-crosslinking is typically performed by spraying a solution of the surface post-crosslinker onto the dried polymer particles. Following spraying, the polymer particles coated with the surface post-crosslinker are thermally treated.

[0046] The spraying of a solution of the surface post-crosslinker is preferably carried out in mixers with moving mixing tools, such as screw mixers, disc mixers and paddle mixers. Horizontal mixers, such as paddle mixers, are particularly preferred, and vertical mixers are most preferred. The distinction between horizontal mixers and vertical mixers is made by the bearing of the mixing shaft, i.e. horizontal mixers have a horizontally mounted mixing shaft and vertical mixers have a vertically mounted mixing shaft. Suitable mixers include, for example, Horizontale Pflugschar® mixers (Gebr. Lödige Maschinenbau GmbH; Paderborn; Germany), Vrieco-Nauta Continuous Mixer (Hosokawa Micron BV; Doetinchem; Netherlands), Processall Mixmill Mixer (Processall Incorporated; Cincinnati; USA) and Schugi Flexomix® (Hosokawa Micron BV; Doetinchem; Netherlands). However, it is also possible to spray the surface post-crosslinker solution in a fluidized bed.

[0047] Surface postcrosslinkers are typically used as an aqueous solution. The penetration depth of the surface postcrosslinker into the polymer particles can be adjusted by varying the non-aqueous solvent content or the total solvent quantity.

[0048] The thermal treatment is preferably carried out in contact dryers, particularly preferably paddle dryers, and most preferably disc dryers. Suitable dryers include, for example, Hosokawa Bepex® Horizontal Paddle Dryer (Hosokawa Micron GmbH; Leingarten; Germany), Hosokawa Bepex® Disc Dryer (Hosokawa Micron GmbH; Leingarten; Germany), Holo-Flite® dryers (Metso Minerals Industries Inc.; Danville; USA), and Nara Paddle Dryer (NARA Machinery Europe; Frechen; Germany). Fluidized bed dryers can also be used.

[0049] Surface post-crosslinking can occur in the mixer itself, by heating the jacket or blowing in warm air. A downstream dryer, such as a tray dryer, a rotary kiln, or a heatable screw, is also suitable. Mixing and thermal surface post-crosslinking are particularly advantageous in a fluidized-bed dryer.

[0050] Preferred reaction temperatures are in the range from 100 to 250°C, preferably from 110 to 220°C, particularly preferably from 120 to 210°C, very particularly preferably from 130 to 200°C. The preferred residence time at this temperature is preferably at least 10 minutes, particularly preferably at least 20 minutes, very particularly preferably at least 30 minutes, and usually at most 60 minutes.

[0051] The surface-crosslinked polymer particles can then be classified again, with polymer particles that are too small and / or too large being separated and returned to the process.

[0052] The surface-crosslinked polymer particles can be coated or re-moistened to further improve their properties.

[0053] Re-moistening is preferably carried out at 30 to 80°C, particularly preferably at 35 to 70°C, and most preferably at 40 to 60°C. At temperatures that are too low, the polymer particles tend to clump together, and at higher temperatures, water evaporates noticeably. The amount of water used for re-moistening is preferably from 1 to 10 wt.%, particularly preferably from 2 to 8 wt.%, and most preferably from 3 to 5 wt.%. Re-moistening increases the mechanical stability of the polymer particles and reduces their tendency to static charge. Re-moistening is advantageously carried out in the cooler after thermal surface post-crosslinking.

[0054] Suitable coatings for improving the swelling rate and gel bed permeability (GBP) include inorganic inert substances such as water-insoluble metal salts, organic polymers, cationic polymers, and divalent or multivalent metal cations. Suitable coatings for dust control include polyols. Suitable coatings for counteracting the undesirable caking tendency of polymer particles include fumed silica, such as Aerosil® 200, precipitated silica, such as Sipernat® D17, and surfactants, such as Span® 20.

[0055] Examples

[0056] Example 1 (according to the invention)

[0057] By continuously mixing deionized water, 50 wt.% sodium hydroxide solution, and acrylic acid, a monomer solution M was prepared (see Figure 1), resulting in a degree of neutralization of 72.0 mol%. The water content of the monomer solution M was 57.0 wt.%.

[0058] In the ring line R, partially neutralized acrylic acid was circulated by pump P1 through the heat exchanger W and tank B. Water was added via the feed line Zi, sodium hydroxide via the feed line Z3, and acrylic acid via the feed line Z2. The monomer solution M was pumped into the polymerization reactor by pump P2.

[0059] The heat exchanger W was a plate heat exchanger with a surface area of ​​178 m 2 used.

[0060] Triple-ethoxylated glycerol triacrylate (approx. 85 wt.%) was used as the crosslinker. The amount used was 0.95 kg per t of monomer solution M. 2.64 kg of polyethylene glycol (polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 4,000 g / mol) and 9.69 kg of the disodium salt of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1'-diphosphonic acid (Cublen®K9012GR) were additionally added to the monomer solution M, each per t of monomer solution M. To initiate the radical polymerization, 1.13 kg of a 0.25 wt.% aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, 4.70 kg of a 15 wt.% aqueous sodium peroxodisulfate solution, and 1.06 kg of a 1 wt.% aqueous ascorbic acid solution were used per t of monomer solution M.

[0061] The monomer solution M was transferred into a List Contikneter reactor with a volume of 6.3m 3 (LIST AG, Arisdorf, Switzerland). The throughput of the monomer solution M was approximately 22 t / h. The reaction solution had a temperature of 23.5°C at the inlet.

[0062] Between the addition point for the crosslinker and the addition points for the hydrogen peroxide and sodium peroxodisulfate solutions, the monomer solution M was inertized with nitrogen. Ascorbic acid was dosed directly into the reactor.

[0063] After approximately 50% of the residence time, an additional 1,000 kg / h of polymer particles with a particle size of less than 150 pm, which had been generated during the production process through comminution and classification, were added to the reactor. The residence time of the reaction mixture in the reactor was approximately 15 minutes.

[0064] The resulting polymer gel was fed onto the conveyor belt of a circulating air belt dryer using an oscillating conveyor belt. The circulating air belt dryer was 48 m long and the conveyor belt of the circulating air belt dryer had an effective width of 4.4 m. On the circulating air belt dryer, the aqueous polymer gel was continuously circulated with an air / gas mixture and dried.

[0065] The dried polymer gel was ground using a three-stage roller mill and sieved to a particle size of 150 to 700 pm. Polymer particles with a particle size of less than 150 pm were separated. Polymer particles with a particle size greater than 700 pm were returned to the grinding process. Polymer particles with a particle size in the range of 150 to 700 pm were thermally surface-crosslinked.

[0066] The polymer particles were coated with a surface post-crosslinker solution in a Schugi Flexomix® (Hosokawa Micron BV, Doetinchem, Netherlands) and then dried in a NARA Paddle Dryer (GMF Gouda, Waddinxveen, Netherlands) for 45 minutes at 192.5°C.

[0067] The following quantities were dosed into the Schugi Flexomix®: 9.5 t / h polymer particles

[0068] 488.4 kg / h surface post-crosslinker solution

[0069] The surface postcrosslinker solution contained 1.36 wt% 2-hydroxyethyl-2 oxazolidone, 1.36 wt% 1,3-propanediol, 4.28 wt% aluminum lactate, 54.04 wt% water, 0.05 wt% sorbitan monolaurate (Span®20) and 38.91 wt% isopropanol.

[0070] After drying, the surface-crosslinked polymer particles were cooled to approximately 60°C in a NARA paddle cooler (GMF Gouda, Waddinxveen, Netherlands). The surface-crosslinked polymer particles were coated with 285 kg / h of water, 1.67 kg / h of a 50 wt% aqueous polyethylene glycol solution (polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 400 g / mol), 23.75 kg / h of a 1 wt% aqueous sorbitan monolaurate solution, and 9.5 kg / h of silicon dioxide (Sipernat®22S).

[0071] The flow rate of pump P1 is 300 t / h during normal operation. After some time, the flow rate of pump P1 during neutralization fell below 200 t / h due to contamination in the plate heat exchanger W.

[0072] During ongoing polymerization, the inlet and outlet of the monomer solution at heat exchanger W were closed. Heat exchanger W was emptied via a separate line with an inner diameter of approximately 7.5 cm. Heat exchanger W was vented via another line with an inner diameter of approximately 2.5 cm.

[0073] The heat exchanger W was then filled with demineralized water within 2 minutes.

[0074] Filled with water. After approximately another 2 minutes, the demineralized water was blown out using compressed air. Filling with demineralized water and blowing out was repeated two to four times.

[0075] Afterwards, the inlet and outlet of the monomer solution at heat exchanger W were reopened. The total time required was approximately 40 minutes.

[0076] In cases where the above cleaning did not lead to a significant improvement, the polymerization was interrupted and the neutralization system was emptied. The monomer solution inlet and outlet at heat exchanger W were then closed.

[0077] The heat exchanger W was then filled with demineralized water within 2 minutes. After approximately another 2 minutes, the demineralized water was blown out using compressed air. The filling with demineralized water and blowing out process were repeated three times.

[0078] The heat exchanger W was then filled with 50 wt.% sodium hydroxide solution within approximately 3 minutes, heated to approximately 70°C for approximately 30 minutes, and emptied. Filling with sodium hydroxide solution, heating, and emptying were also repeated three times.

[0079] The heat exchanger W was then filled with demineralized water within 2 minutes. After approximately another 2 minutes, the demineralized water was blown out using compressed air. The filling with demineralized water and blowing out process were repeated three times.

[0080] Neutralization and polymerization were then restarted. The total time required was approximately 6 hours.

[0081] Example 2 (not according to the invention)

[0082] The procedure was as in Example 1. The heat exchanger W was removed and extensively cleaned mechanically.

[0083] Neutralization and polymerization were then restarted. The total time required was approximately 12 hours.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A process for producing superabsorbents, wherein at least one ethylenically unsaturated, acid-group-bearing monomer is at least partially neutralized with an aqueous base, the resulting aqueous monomer solution M is cooled by means of a heat exchanger W, at least one crosslinker and at least one initiator are added to the aqueous monomer solution M, the aqueous monomer solution M is then polymerized to form a polymer gel, the polymer gel is optionally extruded, the polymer gel is dried and the dried polymer gel is comminuted, classified and optionally thermally surface-postcrosslinked, characterized in that the neutralization is interrupted to clean the heat exchanger W and the heat exchanger W is emptied, filled with water or an aqueous solution and blown empty.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat exchanger W is filled with water or an aqueous solution and blown empty at least twice.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the heat exchanger W is additionally filled with an alkaline solution, heated and emptied.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the heat exchanger W is filled with an alkaline solution, heated and emptied at least twice.

5. Process according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that sodium hydroxide solution is used as the alkaline solution.

6. Process according to claim 5, characterized in that the sodium hydroxide solution has a content of at least 40% by weight.

7. Process according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the alkaline solution in the heat exchanger W is heated to at least 60°C.

8. Process according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the alkaline solution is heated in the heat exchanger W for at least 25 minutes.

9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a plate heat exchanger is used as heat exchanger W.

10. Process according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid is used as the ethylenically unsaturated, acid group-bearing monomer.

11. Process according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that acrylic acid is used as the ethylenically unsaturated, acid group-bearing monomer.

12. Process according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that an alkali metal hydroxide, alkali metal oxides, an alkali metal hydrogen carbonate and / or an alkali metal carbonate is used as base.

13. Process according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that sodium hydroxide is used as the base.

14. Process according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the ethylenically unsaturated, acid group-bearing monomer is neutralized to 60 to 75 mol%.

15. Process according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the water content of the monomer solution M is from 50 to 65 wt.%.

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