Patent ID: 6110533
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: B01D,B01J

Abstract:
A process for making a desiccant article for repeated cycles of water vapour absorption and desorption comprising the steps of:(a) preparing a polymerizable organic solution containing a polymerizable monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and itaconic acid in which up to 50% of the carboxyl groups are neutralized by treatment with a base, a homolytic reaction initiator, at least 0.1% by weight of a cross-polymerization agent and an organic solvent, said polymerizable organic solution containing less than 35% by weight of water;(b) impregnating a cellulose fibre substrate with the solution defined in (a);(c) heating the the impregnated substrate in a substantially oxygen-free atmosphere to initiate polymerization of the monomer;(d) treating the polymerized substrate in an alkaline solution to transform the polymer into a salt; and(e) drying the article.