Hydrocarbon Resin Production via Rapid Single-Phase Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing hydrocarbon resins often result in undesirable by-products that affect the quality and compatibility of hot-melt adhesives, leading to discolourations and incompatibilities, and require additional steps or high temperatures for solvent removal.
Innovation Solution
A method involving rapid heating of a monomer mixture comprising cyclic diolefin and ethylenically unsaturated aromatic components to 180°C at a controlled rate, maintaining the mixture in a single phase to minimize by-product formation, followed by partial or full hydrogenation to produce a hydrocarbon resin with specific molecular weight and colour properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional polymerisation methods are used with solvents, then the polymerisation can be carried out at lower temperatures, but high molecular weight duromer-like by-products form and considerable quantities of solvent need to be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by heating the monomer mixture to at least 180°C, which is significantly higher than conventional polymerisation temperatures. This temperature change transforms the reaction conditions to produce desired hydrocarbon resin while minimizing by-product formation, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition by maintaining the monomer mixture in a liquid phase during heating and polymerisation. The mixture remains essentially liquid in a single phase throughout the process, which prevents by-product formation while avoiding the need for solvent removal, thus improving both manufacturing precision and productivity
2Manufacturing precision
If the monomer mixture is heated slowly, then the temperature can be controlled precisely, but the process takes longer and may lead to by-product formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by heating the monomer mixture rapidly to the target temperature of at least 180°C before initiating or completing polymerisation. This preliminary heating ensures that the mixture reaches the optimal temperature range quickly, reducing heating time while maintaining precise temperature control during the actual polymerisation process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic temperature control by adjusting the heating rate to maintain the monomer mixture in a liquid phase throughout the process. The heating rate is optimized to balance between rapid heating (reducing time loss) and maintaining phase stability (ensuring manufacturing precision), allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions during heating and polymerisation
3Loss of substance
If high temperatures are used for solvent removal, then solvent can be effectively removed, but by-products occur as a result of secondary reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by completely avoiding the use of solvents in the polymerisation process. By conducting the reaction in a solvent-free system, there is no need for subsequent solvent removal steps that would require high temperatures and cause by-product formation through secondary reactions, thus eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining effective process 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
This approach significantly reduces the formation of low and high molecular weight by-products, resulting in a bright, high-quality hydrocarbon resin with improved compatibility and reduced thermal loads, suitable for various applications including hot-melt adhesives, rubber, and bitumen.
Implementation Method 1
a monomer mixture comprising at least one cyclic diolefin component and at least one ethylenically unsaturated aromatic component having 8 to 13 carbon atoms is heated to a temperature of at least 180° C. at a heating speed of 0.5° C./second to 10° C./second
Implementation Method 2
the hydrogenation of these and the hydrogenation products
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for the manufacture of a hydrocarbon resin made of at least one cyclic diolefin component and at least one ethylenically unsaturated aromatic component having 8 to 13 carbon atoms, the monomer mixture is heated to a polymerisation temperature of at least 180° C. at a heating speed of 0.5 to 10° C./second to obtain a hydrocarbon resin with a reduced amount of by-products, wherein the monomer mixture is essentially liquid in a single phase during the heating to at least 180° C. and during polymerisation, and the subsequently hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin has good compatibility with other components of hot-melt adhesives.