Bulk PVC Polymerization Using Propanetriol Coating Agent

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bulk PVC polymerization faces challenges in preventing the generation of fine particles and scale adhesion to reactor walls, leading to non-uniform particle production and difficulties in heat removal, with existing methods either being costly or ineffective in preventing static-induced particle agglomeration.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a bulk PVC particle coating agent, specifically propanetriol, in controlled amounts during bulk polymerization to reduce friction among PVC particles and prevent scale formation, while eliminating the need for post-treatment antistatic agents by coating the particles during polymerization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If bulk polymerization is performed without a heating medium, then high-purity polymers may be obtained and the apparatus is simple, but temperature control becomes difficult and strong heating of polymerization systems occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurity of PVCVSAvoidtemperature control
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A particle coating agent is introduced as an intermediary substance between PVC particles to facilitate heat transfer. The coating agent forms a thermal bridge that enables efficient heat removal from the polymerization system without requiring a bulk heating medium, thus maintaining the simplicity of bulk polymerization while solving the temperature control problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If polymerization proceeds without liquid-phase vinyl chloride monomers surrounding PVC particles, then polymerization efficiency increases, but fine particles are generated due to excessive agglomeration and friction among particles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolymerization efficiencyVSAvoidparticle uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The particle coating agent acts as a mediator between PVC particles, preventing direct contact and reducing friction-induced agglomeration. This allows polymerization to proceed efficiently while maintaining particle uniformity and preventing fine particle generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The particle coating agent is added during the polymerization process to preemptively prevent particle agglomeration before it occurs. By coating particles as they form, the agent prevents the conditions that lead to fine particle generation, rather than attempting to correct the problem after it arises.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If liquid-phase vinyl chloride monomers are insufficient for heat removal, then polymerization rate increases, but local heating phenomena occur and agglomeration due to fusion among PVC particles is induced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolymerization rateVSAvoidtemperature uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The particle coating agent serves as a thermal intermediary that facilitates heat transfer from PVC particles to the surrounding environment. This enables high polymerization rates to be maintained while preventing local heating and particle fusion through improved heat dissipation at the particle level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 method effectively reduces fine particle generation and scale adhesion, ensuring uniform particle distribution and improved heat removal, resulting in high-quality PVC products with reduced reactor fouling and eliminating the need for costly post-processing.

Implementation Method 1

a bulk PVC composition comprising a vinyl chloride monomer, an initiator and a bulk PVC particle coating agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

Incorporating a bulk PVC particle coating agent, specifically propanetriol, in controlled amounts during bulk polymerization to reduce friction among PVC particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP2952542B1Bulk PVC composition and bulk PVC polymerization method
Publication Date: 2019.01.02 LG CHEM LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are a bulk PVC composition and a bulk PVC polymerization method using the same. According to the present invention, a bulk PVC composition that may effectively prevent generation of fine particles and scale (adhering to a reactor wall) during bulk polymerization and may be prepared without a post-treatment process of an antistatic agent added to easily isolate fine particles after bulk PVC polymerization, and a method and apparatus for polymerizing the same may be provided.