Static Degassing Phase Separation Chamber for Polymer Volatiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing static degassing apparatuses for polymers are inefficient in separating volatile components due to foaming issues when the liquid expands, leading to a mixture of gas and polymer with volatile components in both dissolved and bubble forms, requiring improved methods for effective separation.
Innovation Solution
A static degassing apparatus with a phase separation chamber that decompresses the pressurized liquid, utilizing a discharge pump at the bottom and a suction line for gases, along with a phase separation chamber design featuring distinct upper and lower openings to facilitate foam formation and bubble bursting, allowing for extended residence time and efficient separation of volatile components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the pressurized liquid is decompressed to separate volatile components, then the separation efficiency is improved, but the liquid foams and forms a mixture of gas and polymer
Solution Approach 1:
The phase separation chamber divides the degassing process into distinct zones: an upper gas exit area for volatile component removal and a lower polymer exit area for degassed polymer discharge. This segmentation allows simultaneous handling of foaming liquid and gas separation, resolving the contradiction between separation efficiency and liquid homogeneity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes vertical positioning within the phase separation chamber, with upper openings for gas exit and lower openings for polymer exit. This dimensional arrangement enables the foaming liquid to rise and release gases at the top while maintaining polymer discharge at the bottom, effectively managing both foaming and separation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the residence time in the phase separation chamber is extended to improve separation, then the chamber volume must be increased, but this increases the apparatus size and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the residence time parameter by controlling the flow rate through the phase separation chamber. By adjusting operational parameters rather than solely increasing chamber volume, the system achieves effective separation without excessive apparatus size.
3Productivity
If a suction line is added to remove released gases, then the degassing efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction line system replaces complex mechanical degassing devices by using a vacuum field to remove released gases. This substitution achieves effective degassing with simpler equipment compared to mechanical mixing or agitation systems.
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 apparatus effectively separates volatile components from polymers by allowing foam formation and bubble bursting, resulting in a gas-rich fraction release and a low-gas fraction with residues in dissolved and fine bubble forms, enhancing the degassing process efficiency and throughput.
Implementation Method 1
decompressing the pressurized liquid in a container
Implementation Method 2
it is carried out by flash evaporation
Implementation Method 3
allowing foam formation and bubble bursting
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
Static devolatilization apparatus comprises a container (10) having a lower sump region (13) for collecting devolatilized polymer (73), an upper region for discharging gas, and a central region between the lower and upper regions. Phase separation chamber(s) (2) in the upper region of the container includes an inlet (20) for the liquid to be treated, polymer discharge openings in a lower portion for discharging polymer downwardly towards the sump region and a single gas discharge opening in an upper portion for discharging gas upwardly to an extraction line. Static devolatilization apparatus comprises a container for receiving a liquid containing a polymer. The container has a lower sump region for collecting devolatilized polymer, an upper region for discharging gas and a central region between the lower and upper regions. A discharge pump (3) is located at a base of the sump region for discharging devolatilized polymer. An extraction line (4) is located at the upper region for discharging gas (8). Phase separation chamber(s) in the upper region of the container includes an inlet for the liquid to be treated, polymer discharge openings in a lower portion for discharging polymer downwardly towards the sump region and a single gas discharge opening in an upper portion for discharging gas upwardly to the extraction line. The phase separation chamber has plate(s) in the lower portion disposed in an downwardly facing direction with the polymer discharge openings and a plate in the upper portion disposed in an upwardly facing direction with the gas discharge opening. The polymer discharge openings are disposed at a bottommost position of the phase separation chamber to allow the phase separation chamber to run empty. The total cross-sectional area of the gas discharge opening is smaller than the total cross-sectional area of the polymer discharge openings and is >=5% of the total cross-sectional area of the polymer discharge openings. An independent claim is included for a method for treating a highly viscous liquid containing a polymer comprising directing a flow of a highly viscous liquid containing the polymer into the container. The liquid to be treated is passed into the separation chamber in the upper region of the container. The liquid is foamed within the phase separation chamber to devolitilize the liquid and to produce a gas-rich fraction and a low-gas fraction. The gas-rich fraction is discharged from the phase separation chamber upwardly into the upper region of the container through gas discharge opening(s). The low-gas fraction from the phase separation chamber is discharged downwardly into the lower sump region of the container through polymer discharge openings.