Continuous Belt Reactor for Superabsorbent Polymer Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing processes for producing superabsorbent polymers on continuous belt reactors face challenges in maintaining polymerization belt stability, reducing sagging, and efficient cooling, which affect the quality and service life of the polymers.

Innovation Solution

A continuous belt reactor design where the polymerization belt rests on a stable, low-friction support belt that slides on fixed slide bars, reducing tension and sagging, and utilizing a metallic support belt with high heat transfer capacity for improved cooling, along with a multi-layer polymerization belt for mechanical and chemical resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the polymerization belt is supported by conventional means, then the belt can maintain its position, but the belt experiences high tension and sagging which reduces service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice life of polymerization beltVSAvoidtension on polymerization belt
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

A support belt is introduced as an intermediary element between the polymerization belt and the stationary support structure. The support belt slides on stationary support surfaces, acting as a mediator that reduces the tension and sagging forces on the polymerization belt while maintaining proper positioning and support during the polymerization process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the polymerization belt is supported by conventional means, then the belt can maintain its position, but sagging occurs which affects polymerization quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolymerization qualityVSAvoidsagging of polymerization belt
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The support belt serves as a mediator that prevents direct contact between the polymerization belt and stationary supports, thereby minimizing sagging and maintaining the proper shape and tension of the polymerization belt for consistent polymerization quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical parameters of belt support by introducing a moving support belt that slides on stationary surfaces, altering the tension and position parameters of the polymerization belt to eliminate sagging and maintain manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If a metallic support belt is used, then cooling efficiency is improved due to high heat transfer capacity, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The material parameter of the support belt is changed to metal, which has high thermal conductivity. This parameter change enables efficient heat transfer and cooling of the polymerization belt while the sliding mechanism on stationary supports keeps the overall system complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design enhances the service life of the polymerization belt, improves cooling efficiency, and ensures the production of superabsorbent polymers with consistent quality and reduced maintenance costs.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a metallic support belt with high heat transfer capacity for improved cooling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

rests at least partly upon the upper surface of the at least one continuous support belt ii) and the at least one continuous support belt ii) slides at least partly on a fixed surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2107938B1Production of superabsorbent polymers on a continuous belt reactor
Publication Date: 2016.08.17 BASF SE
  • EP2107938B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2107938B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a process for production of superabsorbent polymers on a continuous belt reactor, wherein a continuous polymerization belt rests at least partly upon the upper surface of at least one continuous support belt and the at least one continuous support belt slides at least partly on a fixed surface.