Polymer Solution Additive for Viscosity Reduction and Termination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In polymerization processes, the continued propagation of living chain ends leads to increased molecular weight and viscosity of polymer solutions, causing stability issues and high energy costs due to difficulties in transporting and processing high-viscosity solutions.
Innovation Solution
An additive comprising a carboxylic acid, an alcohol, a salt, and optionally water, which is added to the polymerization system to terminate the polymerization reaction and reduce viscosity, effectively mixing with the polymer solution at specific temperatures and concentrations to achieve efficient termination and viscosity reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water or small molecular alcohols are used as terminators, then polymerization can be terminated, but the terminator has poor compatibility with nonpolar polymer solutions and cannot disperse quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a compatibilizer as an intermediary substance that bridges the polar terminator and nonpolar polymer solution. The compatibilizer contains both polar groups (to interact with the terminator) and nonpolar groups (to interact with the polymer solution), enabling rapid dispersion and effective termination simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite terminator system consisting of multiple components: the polar terminator (water or small alcohol), the compatibilizer (containing both polar and nonpolar groups), and optionally a co-solvent. This composite approach combines the termination capability of polar substances with the compatibility of nonpolar substances.
2Ease of operation
If higher aliphatic alcohols or aliphatic carboxylic acids are used as terminators, then dispersing is improved, but termination efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of different terminator types by combining a polar terminator (for high termination efficiency) with a compatibilizer (for good dispersibility). The synergistic effect of this combination achieves both rapid dispersion and complete termination, overcoming the limitations of using either component alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The compatibilizer performs multiple functions: it acts as a surfactant to improve dispersion, as a co-terminator to enhance termination efficiency, and as a compatibility agent to bridge polar and nonpolar phases. This multi-functionality allows a single additive to address multiple problems simultaneously.
3Productivity
If polymer solution concentration is increased, then productivity is improved, but viscosity increases leading to high energy costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the polymer solution by introducing the terminator and compatibilizer system. This causes a collapse of the polymer chain structure and a transition from a highly viscous state to a low-viscosity state, enabling high-concentration solutions to be transported easily.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies termination and viscosity reduction treatments before the polymer solution enters the transportation and processing stages. By preliminarily reducing viscosity through terminator addition, the subsequent transportation and handling operations require significantly less energy.
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 additive efficiently terminates polymerization and decreases viscosity, maintaining molecular weight and improving the stability and processability of polymer solutions, thereby reducing transportation resistance and energy costs.
Implementation Method 1
the additive of the present disclosure is mixed with a polymerization system containing living or growing polymer chains, the polymerization reaction can be terminated efficiently
Implementation Method 2
when the additive of the present disclosure is mixed with a polymer solution having a high viscosity, the viscosity of the polymer solution can be decreased effectively
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an additive and a method for terminating polymerization and/or reducing viscosity of polymer solution. The additive comprises a carboxylic acid, an alcohol, a salt chosen from alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts, ammonium salts, and any combination thereof, and optionally, water. The method of the present disclosure comprises adding the additive according to present disclosure into a polymer solution and mixing the resulting mixture. The additive of the present disclosure can terminate living polymer chain ends efficiently and can destroy catalytic active centers and can substantially reduce the viscosity of a polymer solution.