Fluorine-Containing Ether Recovery in Fluoropolymer Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
The recovery of fluorine-containing ethers used in producing fluoropolymers is inefficient due to their low recovery yield and long recovery time, especially when perhalogenated carbons are used, as they are difficult to separate from fluoropolymers and have low latent heat of vaporization, leading to poor condensation recovery.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a specific fluorine-containing ether for polymerization, where a wet fluoropolymer is heated to vaporize and discharge the ether, which is then cooled and recovered, utilizing a cooling means to achieve higher recovery yield and shorter recovery time, and potentially involving distillation and compression steps to enhance separation and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If perhalogenated carbons (PFC/CFC) are used as polymerization medium, then fluoropolymer production is enabled, but separation and recovery become difficult and time-consuming with low recovery efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the polymerization medium by replacing perhalogenated carbons with fluorine-containing ethers having different boiling points and volatility characteristics. This parameter change enables easier separation and recovery while maintaining polymerization functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements an improved recovery process that efficiently separates and recovers the fluorine-containing ether solvent from the fluoropolymer product through controlled heating and condensation, achieving high recovery rates and enabling solvent reuse.
2Power
If perhalogenated carbons are used as solvent, then polymerization reaction proceeds, but the solvent has low latent heat of vaporization causing poor condensation recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects fluorine-containing ethers with optimized latent heat of vaporization values that are higher than perhalogenated carbons, improving condensation efficiency while maintaining adequate volatility for separation. The boiling point and energy parameters are carefully chosen to balance reaction performance and recovery efficiency.
3Productivity
If fluorine-containing ether is used as polymerization medium, then solvent recovery efficiency is improved, but recovery time needs to be reduced further
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the polymerization reaction in a way that facilitates subsequent solvent removal, and implements a streamlined recovery process that minimizes intermediate steps. The system is designed to transition directly from reaction to efficient solvent recovery operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a continuous or near-continuous recovery process where the fluorine-containing ether is heated to vaporize, then immediately condensed and collected without significant interruptions. This continuous action reduces recovery time while maintaining high efficiency.
4Power
If perhalogenated carbons are used, then polymerization can be performed, but the solvent remains in fluoropolymers even after vaporization causing molding failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solvent properties by using fluorine-containing ethers with different adsorption characteristics compared to perhalogenated carbons. The selected ethers have reduced tendency to adsorb on fluoropolymer surfaces, enabling more complete removal through vaporization and heating without leaving harmful residues that would cause molding failures.
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 method allows for the efficient recovery of fluorine-containing ethers with higher yield and in shorter time, preventing waste and improving the economic and environmental benefits of fluoropolymer production by effectively separating and recycling the solvent.
Implementation Method 1
heating the wet fluoropolymer in a container to vaporize and discharge vaporizable substances including the fluorine-containing ether
Implementation Method 2
transferred to a cooling means to cool the vaporizable substances
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for recovering a fluorine-containing ether capable of recovering a fluorine-containing ether used for producing a fluoropolymer, in higher recovery yield and in a shorter time. The present invention relates to a method for recovering a fluorine-containing ether, including the steps of: producing a wet fluoropolymer by suspension polymerization, solution polymerization, or bulk polymerization in the presence of at least a specific fluorine-containing ether; vaporizing and discharging vaporizable substances including the fluorine-containing ether by heating the wet fluoropolymer in a container; and transferring the vaporizable substances in the vaporized state to a cooling means to cool the vaporizable substances.