Flow Reactor Mixer for Stable Anionic Polymerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In flow chemistry, the settlement of undissolved matter in mixing sections of flow reactors leads to clogging and pressure fluctuations, making long-term continuous operation and stable polymer production challenging, especially in reaction systems using organolithium reagents.
Innovation Solution
A flow reactor with a mixer featuring a joint member having a double tube and a static mixer member, where the double tube side endface is in touching contact with the static mixer member, preventing clogging and ensuring efficient mixing, allowing for stable long-term polymer production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a flow reactor with a simple mixing section is used, then the device complexity is low, but undissolved matter settles out and blocks the flow channel causing pressure fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer is divided into multiple functional sections: a double tube structure for initial liquid separation and a static mixer member with multiple elements for progressive mixing. This segmentation prevents undissolved matter from settling in a single location by distributing the mixing function across multiple stages, thereby preventing clogging while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The static mixer member acts as an intermediary component between the double tube and the flow channel. It provides a controlled mixing environment where liquids are thoroughly mixed before entering the main flow channel, preventing undissolved matter from settling and blocking the channel, thus ensuring reliable continuous operation.
2Ease of operation
If a static mixer member is added to the mixer, then mixing efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The static mixer member is segmented into multiple discrete elements arranged in series within the mixer. Each element contributes to the mixing process, providing progressive mixing that enhances efficiency. The modular segmented structure allows for improved mixing performance while maintaining a relatively simple overall device design.
3Productivity
If organolithium reagents are used for anionic polymerization, then polymer production efficiency is high, but undissolved matter settles out blocking the flow channel
Solution Approach 1:
The static mixer member serves as an intermediary mixing zone where organolithium reagents are thoroughly mixed with monomers before entering the flow channel. This intermediate mixing step ensures complete dissolution and reaction, preventing undissolved matter from settling and blocking the flow channel, thereby maintaining both high productivity and flow continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The double tube structure performs preliminary separation and positioning of liquid streams before they enter the static mixer member. This preliminary action ensures that organolithium reagents and monomers are properly positioned for efficient mixing, preventing undissolved matter formation that could block the flow channel and maintain reliable operation.
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
The solution enables stable and continuous polymer production with narrow molecular weight distribution, suitable for applications in semiconductor lithography and nanopatterning, and the production of high-performance elastomers.
Implementation Method 1
the static mixer member has a tubular body and an element body inserted at the interior of the tubular body
Implementation Method 2
mixing two liquids that includes a joint member having a double tube at the interior or a static mixer member
Data Source
AI summary
A polymer production method whereby: a flow reactor comprising a flow path wherein a plurality of liquids can be mixed is used; and a monomer is anionically polymerized in the presence of an initiator. The flow reactor comprises a mixer for mixing two liquids, said mixer comprising either a joint member having a double pipe therein or a static mixer member.