Turbulent Flow Mixing for Organolithium Polymerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for polymerizing conjugated diene or aromatic vinyl monomers with organolithium compounds suffer from insufficient uniformity in mixing, leading to gel generation in the polymerization tank and incorporation of gels into the polymer product.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the mixing of an organolithium compound solution with a non-polar solvent in a pipe-system to create a turbulent flow, characterized by a Reynolds number of 500,000 or more, which suppresses gel generation and incorporation into the polymer product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If organolithium compound solution and non-polar solvent are mixed in a storage tank with stirring blade, then mixing operation is simple, but concentration uniformity is poor causing gel generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical stirring blade system with a fluid dynamic system using turbulent flow. By designing the mixing pipe with specific geometry (narrow section) to generate high Reynolds number turbulent flow (Re≥500,000), the mixing process transitions from mechanical agitation to chaotic fluid mixing, achieving superior concentration uniformity without mechanical moving parts in the mixing zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes hydraulic principles by employing turbulent flow of liquids (organolithium compound solution and non-polar solvent) through a specifically designed mixing pipe. The hydraulic design creates intense mixing through turbulent eddies and chaotic flow patterns, eliminating the need for mechanical stirrers and preventing concentration stratification that leads to gel formation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If mixing is performed in a pipe-system with turbulent flow, then concentration uniformity is improved suppressing gel generation, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mixing function from a complex mechanical stirring system and implements it within the existing fluid transport pipeline. By incorporating a narrow section directly into the mixing pipe, the system achieves turbulent flow mixing without adding separate mixing devices, motors, or mechanical components, thus minimizing device complexity while maximizing mixing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the mixing function with the fluid transport function by designing the mixing pipe as an integrated component. The narrow section is incorporated directly into the pipeline, combining transportation and mixing operations in a single element, thereby avoiding additional equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If high concentration organolithium compound is used, then productivity is improved, but gel generation occurs due to concentration distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow regime parameter (Reynolds number) to extremely high values (Re≥500,000) by incorporating a narrow section in the mixing pipe. This parameter change transforms the mixing mechanism from laminar to turbulent flow, enabling rapid and uniform dispersion of high concentration organolithium compound with non-polar solvent, thereby maintaining high productivity while eliminating concentration distribution that causes gel formation.
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 prevents gel generation in the polymerization tank and reduces gel incorporation into the polymer product, ensuring more stable and uniform polymer production.
Implementation Method 1
at least one selected from the group consisting of the organolithium compound solution I, the organolithium compound solution II and the non-polar solvent is in the state of turbulent flow in step (1), said turbulent flow being characterized by a Reynolds number (Re) of 500000 or more
Data Source
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AI summary
The method for producing a polymer of the present invention is a method for producing a polymer by polymerization of a monomer comprising a conjugated diene compound and/or an aromatic vinyl compound by use of an organolithium compound as a polymerization initiator, comprising step (1) of mixing an organolithium compound solution I and a non-polar solvent to provide an organolithium compound solution II and step (2) of feeding the organolithium compound solution II to a polymerization tank, wherein at least one selected from the group consisting of the organolithium compound solution I, the organolithium compound solution II and the non-polar solvent is in the state of turbulent flow in step (1).