Patent ID: 6242501
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: C08G

Abstract:
A process for recovery of poly(arylene sulfide) from a poly(arylene sulfide) polymerization reaction mixture, said process comprising:a) cooling said reaction mixture to form particulate poly(arylene sulfide) to produce a first poly(arylene sulfide) slurry;wherein said reaction mixture is in a substantially liquid phase and which comprises poly(arylene sulfide), at least one polar organic compound, an alkali metal halide byproduct, poly(arylene sulfide) oligomers, unreacted reactants, and water;b) contacting said first poly(arylene sulfide slurry with an effective amount of at least one polar organic extraction agent under suitable conditions to produce a second poly(arylene sulfide) slurry comprising particulate poly(arylene sulfide) and liquid wherein said liquid comprises at least one polar organic compound, poly(arylene sulfide) oligomers, unreacted reactants, and water;c) removing said particulate poly(arylene sulfide) from said second poly(arylene sulfide) slurry; andd) vacuum drying said particulate poly(arylene sulfide) to remove a majority of contaminants comprising at least one extraction agent, wherein vacuum dried particulate poly(arylene sulfide) has a lower melt flow index and less volatile organic compounds than poly(arylene sulfide) not vacuum dried.