Handling device for easily polymerizable materials

Abstract

The objective of the present invention is to provide a handling device for easily polymerizable materials that can suppress the generation of polymers in auxiliary facilities. The handling device for easily polymerizable materials (10) is provided in a main body (20) that handles easily polymerizable materials and has an auxiliary facility (30) that does not have a temperature control mechanism (40) to which the gas of the easily polymerizable material can come into contact, and a temperature control mechanism (40) that adjusts the temperature of the auxiliary facility (30) to a temperature lower than the boiling point of the easily polymerizable material and a temperature higher than the melting point of the easily polymerizable material.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for handling easily polymerizable materials. Background Technology

[0002] Devices handling easily polymerizable substances, such as (meth)acrylic acid or (meth)acrylic acid esters, may be equipped with auxiliary equipment such as breather valves. By adjusting the internal pressure of the device through this auxiliary equipment, deformation of the handling device can be prevented.

[0003] However, it is well known that easily polymerizable materials are highly polymerizable and that polymerization frequently occurs during the manufacturing process. In particular, if easily polymerizable materials vaporize from a liquid containing such materials contained in a device, and the vaporized steam containing the easily polymerizable materials remains in a condensed state in auxiliary equipment, it acts as a nucleus to easily form polymers. If polymers adhere to auxiliary equipment, it is necessary to remove them to prevent the internal pressure regulation function of the auxiliary equipment from being impaired.

[0004] In contrast, for example, Patent Document 1 describes providing a heating facility in a pipe between a storage tank that stores a liquid containing an easily polymerizable substance and a breather valve, etc. The heating facility heats the pipe to suppress the polymerization of the easily polymerizable substance and suppresses the condensation of the easily polymerizable substance within the pipe. Prior art literature

[0005] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-46794 The problem to be solved

[0006] However, if there are parts of the device that are not sufficiently heated, there is a possibility that easily polymerizable materials may condense in those insufficiently heated parts. Furthermore, if the easily polymerizable materials condensed in the insufficiently heated parts come into contact with the heated parts of the device, there is a possibility that the condensed easily polymerizable materials may polymerize easily.

[0007] Considering the prior art regarding the inhibition of polymerization of easily polymerizable materials, the inventors carefully examined whether the polymerization of easily polymerizable materials could be more suitably inhibited by other methods. Then, the inventors conceived the idea that it might be possible to inhibit the polymerization of easily polymerizable materials within auxiliary equipment by deliberately condensing the easily polymerizable materials within the auxiliary equipment and maintaining the temperature of the auxiliary equipment at a low temperature. On the other hand, there was a concern that maintaining the temperature of the auxiliary equipment at a low temperature would cause the easily polymerizable materials to solidify and cause blockage. Therefore, they came to complete the present invention by focusing on the fact that the temperature of the auxiliary equipment needs to be maintained above its melting point.

[0008] That is, the present invention aims to provide a handling device for easily polymerizable materials capable of suppressing the generation of polymers in auxiliary facilities. means of solving the problem

[0009] A handling device for an easily polymerizable material according to one embodiment of the present invention has an auxiliary facility that does not have a temperature control mechanism to which a gas of the easily polymerizable material can come into contact, and a temperature control mechanism that adjusts the temperature of the auxiliary facility to a temperature lower than the boiling point of the easily polymerizable material and a temperature higher than the melting point of the easily polymerizable material. Effects of the invention

[0010] According to the handling apparatus for easily polymerizable materials according to the present invention, although the easily polymerizable material in the auxiliary facility is condensed, the polymerization reaction is suppressed because it is maintained at a low temperature by a temperature control mechanism. Therefore, the generation of polymers in the auxiliary facility can be suppressed. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the main body and auxiliary equipment constituting an easy polymerizable material handling device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The following description does not limit the technical scope or the meaning of terms described in the claims. Additionally, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for explanatory purposes and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the main body (20) and auxiliary equipment (30) constituting the easy polymerizable material handling device (10) (hereinafter referred to as the “handling device”) according to the present embodiment.

[0014] In this specification, the term "easily polymerizable material" is not particularly limited as long as it is a material that is easy to polymerize, but examples include polymerizable vinyl compounds. Here, examples of polymerizable vinyl compounds include (meth)acrolein; (meth)acrylic acid; (meth)acrylates such as hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, glycidyl (meth)acrylate, methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, butyl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate; or mixtures thereof.

[0015] <Handling Device>

[0016] The handling device (10) may be equipped with a main body (20) which is at least one device for storing (temporarily) a liquid containing an easily polymerizable substance in, for example, a manufacturing process or purification process of an easily polymerizable substance (tank, etc.), a device for separating (distillation tower, absorption tower, extraction tower, crystallizer, filter, etc.), a device for heat exchange (heat exchanger, etc.), and a device for reacting (reactor, etc., provided that a gas-phase reactor is excluded), and among these, a device for storage is preferred.

[0017] Hereinafter, the specific configuration of the handling device (10) is described using the example where the handling device (10) is a storage device that temporarily stores a liquid containing an easily polymerizable substance during manufacturing or purification. As shown in FIG. 1, the handling device (10) has a main body (20) that stores a liquid containing an easily polymerizable substance, an auxiliary facility (30) installed in the main body (20), and a temperature control mechanism (40) that adjusts the temperature of the auxiliary facility (30) to promote the condensation of the easily polymerizable substance. Hereinafter, each part will be described in detail.

[0018] Main body

[0019] The main body (20) is not particularly limited as long as it can store a liquid containing an easily polymerizable material, but can be configured, for example, by a storage tank with a gas seal. The main body (20) may be a tank for pressurization or a tank for atmospheric pressure.

[0020] In the main body (20), a pipe (11) may be installed to supply a liquid containing an easily polymerizable material into the main body (20) from another device such as a reactor, distillation tower, or evaporator.

[0021] The liquid containing an easily polymerizable substance supplied to the main body (20) may contain a polymerization inhibitor in advance, or, for example, a polymerization inhibitor may be supplied separately from a pipe installed in the main body (20).

[0022] As polymerization inhibitors, examples include hydroquinone, hydroquinone monomethyl ether, phenothiazine, copper dibutyl dithiocarbamate, etc., although not particularly limited. In addition, the content of the polymerization inhibitor is 1 ppm or more, preferably 10 ppm or more. In addition, it is 1000 ppm or less, preferably 500 ppm or less.

[0023] The main body (20) may be equipped with a stirrer (not shown).

[0024] <Auxiliary Facilities>

[0025] The auxiliary equipment (30) is configured to adjust the internal pressure of the main body (20).

[0026] It is preferable that the auxiliary equipment (30) be provided in the gaseous portion of the main body (20), which is above the gravity direction G of the main body (20). The gaseous portion referred to here means a space above the liquid surface within the main body (20) (a portion not submerged in the liquid surface). Therefore, the gas of an easily polymerizable material can come into contact with the auxiliary equipment (30).

[0027] The auxiliary equipment (30) is not particularly limited, but may include, for example, instrumentation devices such as nozzles and pressure gauges, valves such as atmospheric vents and pressure regulating valves, and flashback prevention parts, and may be combined.

[0028] As for the valves, a pressure regulating valve is preferred, and for example, the pressure regulating valve (31) shown in FIG. 1 is not particularly limited as long as it is possible to perform exhaust and / or intake according to the internal pressure of the auxiliary equipment (30) (and the main body part (20) communicating with the auxiliary equipment (30)). Among these, a pressure regulating valve that performs exhaust and intake according to the internal pressure of the main body part (20) is preferred, and examples include a breather valve, an atomos valve, a safety valve, a pressure reducing valve, and an automatic valve that opens and closes according to the set value of a pressure gauge.

[0029] The backfire prevention part (32) is not specifically limited as long as it can prevent backfire of the main body part (20), but can be configured, for example, a frame arrester, a detonation frame arrester, etc.

[0030] The atmosphere vent is a nozzle (also called a pipe) for atmosphere purging. The atmosphere vent may be provided by extending from the nozzle (33), or it may be provided by connecting the nozzle (33) and the atmosphere vent with a connecting part such as a flange and connecting the connecting parts together. In addition, the shape of the atmosphere vent is not particularly limited. The atmosphere vent may have a curved part that directs the opening of the atmosphere vent downward so that rain, etc., do not enter the area being purged.

[0031] Examples of instrumentation include pressure gauges. Pressure gauges include, in addition to measuring pressure within a system, pressure-type level gauges that measure the liquid level by measuring pressure, for example.

[0032] Additionally, the auxiliary equipment (30) may be installed through an interposed member such as a nozzle (33) connected to the auxiliary equipment (30), or it may be installed directly on the main body (20).

[0033] Additionally, the auxiliary equipment (30) may be installed on the wall of the main body (20) corresponding to the weather portion of the main body (20), but it is preferable to install a ceiling plate in the weather portion and have the auxiliary equipment (30) provided above the ceiling plate.

[0034] Temperature control device

[0035] The temperature control mechanism (40) is configured to adjust the temperature of the auxiliary equipment (30) to promote the condensation of the easily polymerizable material.

[0036] Even if a polymerization inhibitor is supplied to the main body (20), the supplied polymerization inhibitor is mainly present in the liquid portion of the main body (20) and is almost absent in the gas portion of the main body (20) and the auxiliary equipment (30). Therefore, when vapor containing an easily polymerizable substance is condensed in the auxiliary equipment (30), almost no polymerization inhibitor is present in the condensed portion. Consequently, polymerization is more likely to occur in the gas portion, such as the auxiliary equipment (30), compared to the liquid portion of the main body (20). In contrast, in this embodiment, although the easily polymerizable substance in the auxiliary equipment (30) is condensed, the polymerization reaction is suppressed because it is maintained at a low temperature by the temperature control mechanism (40). Therefore, the generation of polymers in the auxiliary equipment (30) can be suppressed, and the growth of polymers within the auxiliary equipment (30) can be prevented from impairing the function of the auxiliary equipment (30).

[0037] The temperature control mechanism (40) is not specifically limited, but, for example, may be configured so that the temperature of the auxiliary equipment (30) ranges from a temperature lower than the boiling point of the easily polymerizable material (upper limit temperature) to a temperature higher than the melting point of the easily polymerizable material (lower limit temperature).

[0038] The upper limit temperature of the auxiliary equipment (30) is appropriately set according to the easily polymerizable material being handled. In this embodiment, the easily polymerizable material being handled is a radical polymerizing material. Therefore, the upper limit temperature of the auxiliary equipment (30) can be set to 50°C or lower, more preferably 45°C or lower, more preferably 40°C or lower, and more preferably 35°C or lower.

[0039] The lower limit temperature of the auxiliary equipment (30) is appropriately set according to the easily polymerizable material being handled, but preferably 15°C or higher, more preferably 20°C or higher, and even more preferably 25°C or higher.

[0040] The temperature control mechanism (40) may be configured, for example, by a temperature control unit (41) that can be wound onto an auxiliary facility (30). The configuration of the temperature control mechanism (40) is not particularly limited as long as it can adjust the temperature of the auxiliary facility (30) to promote the condensation of the easily polymerizable material. Depending on the season (or ambient temperature), it may be configured to heat the auxiliary facility (30) (for example, in the case of winter) or to cool the auxiliary facility (30) (for example, in the case of summer). (Even with the same set temperature, there may be cases where it is heated in the winter and cooled in the summer.) The temperature control mechanism (40) is configured to maintain the temperature of the auxiliary facility (30) when the temperature of the auxiliary facility (30) is already within a temperature range that promotes the condensation of the easily polymerizable material. Additionally, the temperature control mechanism (40) can be configured to adjust to a condensation temperature while preventing solidification.

[0041] In addition, the temperature control mechanism (40) is preferably a device that cannot be contacted by the gas of the easily polymerizable material and can be subsequently installed on the existing auxiliary equipment (30). For this reason, the temperature control mechanism (40) is provided on the upper part of the main body (20) and does not include a condenser (vent condenser) that can be contacted by the gas of the easily polymerizable material. A vent condenser provided in this manner is not desirable from the perspective of device size (when installed on the existing auxiliary equipment (30), it is physically difficult to install in a narrow area) or maintenance (cleaning, etc.).

[0042] The temperature control mechanism (40) may be configured, for example, by a water temperature control method. In this case, the temperature control mechanism (40) may be configured by circulating a heat medium (preferably water) through a temperature control unit (41) composed of copper pipes, etc. (trace piping), and the temperature of the water circulated through the temperature control unit (41) can be appropriately set according to the season (according to the ambient temperature). Also, in FIG. 1, the arrow indicates the flow of water.

[0043] In addition, the material of the temperature control unit (41) is not limited to copper. Also, the configuration of the temperature control unit (41) is not limited to trace piping, but may be composed of double pipes or spray pipes, etc.

[0044] Additionally, the configuration of the temperature control mechanism (40) is not particularly limited as long as it can adjust the temperature of the auxiliary equipment (30). For example, the temperature control mechanism (40) may be configured as an electric heater type temperature control or an air-cooling type temperature control. If the temperature control mechanism (40) is configured as an electric heater type temperature control, the temperature control mechanism (40) can heat the auxiliary equipment (30) (for example, in the winter season when the outside temperature is low). Furthermore, the temperature control mechanism (40) can adjust to a condensation temperature while preventing solidification by heating in the winter season and not heating in the summer season. In this case, it is preferable that the temperature control mechanism (40) be configured with a ribbon heater or a silicon cord heater that can be wound onto the auxiliary equipment (30) instead of the temperature control unit (41).

[0045] Additionally, the location (installation range) of the temperature control mechanism (40) for the auxiliary equipment (30) is not particularly limited as long as the temperature of the auxiliary equipment (30) can be adjusted to promote the condensation of the easily polymerizable material.

[0046] Additionally, the temperature control mechanism (40) may be configured to control the auxiliary equipment (30) to a predetermined temperature without using a temperature sensor or a temperature control unit. The temperature control mechanism (40) may not control the temperature of the auxiliary equipment (30) by directly measuring the temperature of the auxiliary equipment (30), but rather may operate by setting the temperature of the heat medium of the temperature control mechanism (40) so that the temperature of the auxiliary equipment (30) becomes within a set temperature range.

[0047] As described above, the handling device (10) for an easily polymerizable material according to the present embodiment is provided in a main body (20) that handles the easily polymerizable material and has an auxiliary facility (30) that does not have a temperature control mechanism (40) to which the gas of the easily polymerizable material can come into contact, and a temperature control mechanism (40) that adjusts the temperature of the auxiliary facility (30) to a temperature lower than the boiling point of the easily polymerizable material and a temperature higher than the melting point of the easily polymerizable material.

[0048] According to the handling device (10) of the present embodiment, the easily polymerizable material in the auxiliary facility (30) is condensed, but the polymerization reaction is suppressed because it is maintained at a low temperature by the temperature control mechanism (40). Therefore, according to the handling device (10) of the present embodiment, the generation of polymers in the auxiliary facility (30) can be suppressed.

[0049] In addition, a temperature lower than the boiling point is 50°C. The easily polymerizable material in the auxiliary facility (30) with the temperature adjusted in this way condenses, but the polymerization reaction is suppressed because it is maintained at a low temperature by the temperature control mechanism (40). Therefore, according to the handling device (10) of the present embodiment, the generation of polymers in the auxiliary facility (30) can be suppressed.

[0050] Additionally, the temperature control mechanism (40) controls the temperature using a heat medium. By configuring the auxiliary equipment (30) to heat (e.g., in the winter season) or to cool (e.g., in the summer season) depending on the season (depending on the ambient temperature), the polymerization of easily polymerizable materials within the auxiliary equipment (30) can be effectively suppressed. Furthermore, the temperature control mechanism (40) can be adjusted to a condensation temperature while preventing solidification by heating in the winter season and not heating in the summer season.

[0051] Additionally, the temperature control mechanism (40) may be controlled by an electric heater. When configured in this way, the temperature control mechanism (40) can be configured to heat the auxiliary equipment (30) during the winter season when the outside temperature is low, and not to heat the auxiliary equipment (30) during the summer season when the outside temperature is high. Therefore, the temperature control mechanism (40) can effectively suppress polymerization by preventing the solidification of easily polymerizable material within the auxiliary equipment (30) and maintaining it at a condensation temperature.

[0052] Additionally, the auxiliary equipment (30) has at least one of a nozzle (33), an instrumentation device (not shown), an atmospheric vent (not shown), and a valve (e.g., a pressure regulating valve (31)) directly connected to the main body (20), or at least one of an instrumentation device (not shown), an atmospheric vent (not shown), and a valve connected to the main body (20) through the nozzle (33).

[0053] Additionally, the auxiliary equipment (30) includes a pressure regulating valve (31) that performs exhaust and / or intake according to the internal pressure within the main body (20).

[0054] In addition, the handling device (10) handles a polymerization inhibitor to prevent the polymerization of the easily polymerizable material in addition to the easily polymerizable material. Therefore, the generation of polymerized material within the handling device (10) can be suppressed.

[0055] In addition, the easily polymerizable material may be (meth)acrylic acid or (meth)acrylic acid ester. When configured in this way, when manufacturing or purifying (meth)acrylic acid or (meth)acrylic acid ester that is easily polymerized, the generation of polymers in auxiliary equipment (30) can be suppressed.

[0056] Additionally, the main body (20) is at least one device for storing, separating, heat-exchanging, and reacting an easily polymerizable material. When configured in this way, the handling device (10) can handle a polymerization inhibitor to prevent the polymerization of the easily polymerizable material in addition to the easily polymerizable material.

[0057] In addition, the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the patent claims.

[0058] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-17646 filed on February 8, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Explanation of the symbols

[0059] 10: Handling device 20: Main body 30: Auxiliary Facilities 40: Temperature control device G: Direction of gravity

Claims

Claim 1 A device for handling easily polymerizable materials, comprising a main body portion for handling easily polymerizable materials, an auxiliary facility that does not have a temperature control mechanism to which a gas of said easily polymerizable material can come into contact, and a temperature control mechanism that adjusts the temperature of said auxiliary facility to a temperature lower than the boiling point of said easily polymerizable material and a temperature higher than the melting point of said easily polymerizable material, wherein the main body portion is at least one device for storing, separating, heat-exchanging, and reacting said easily polymerizable material. Claim 2 A handling device for an easily polymerizable material according to claim 1, wherein the temperature lower than the boiling point is 50℃. Claim 3 In claim 1 or 2, the temperature control mechanism is a device for handling easily polymerizable materials that controls the temperature by a heat medium. Claim 4 In claim 1 or 2, the temperature control mechanism is a device for handling easily polymerizable materials that controls the temperature by an electric heater. Claim 5 A handling device for easily polymerizable materials according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the auxiliary equipment comprises at least one of a nozzle, an instrumentation, an atmospheric vent, and a valve, which is directly connected to the main body, or at least one of the instrumentation, the atmospheric vent, and the valve is connected to the main body through the nozzle. Claim 6 A handling device for easily polymerizable materials according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the auxiliary equipment comprises a pressure regulating valve that performs exhaust and / or intake according to the internal pressure within the main body. Claim 7 An apparatus for handling an easily polymerizable material, wherein, in addition to the easily polymerizable material according to claim 1 or 2, a polymerization inhibitor for preventing the polymerization of the easily polymerizable material is handled. Claim 8 A handling device for an easily polymerizable material, wherein, in claim 1 or 2, the easily polymerizable material is (meth)acrylic acid or (meth)acrylic acid ester. Claim 9 delete

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