Patent GB-721345-A (GB)
Title: Process for polymerising liquid olefinically unsaturated compounds, apparatus therefor, and the resulting polymers
IPC: B01F5/10
Filed: 1952-12-18
Abstract: <PICT:0721345/IV (a)/1> A liquid olefinically unsaturated compound is polymerized in a medium consisting of a solution of an emulsifier in water by a process wherein a stream of liquid droplets of the compound to be polymerized is fed from a distribution device 4 through the water phase and the movement of these droplets in relation to the water phase is principally caused by the difference in specific gravity of the two phases, the droplets which have passed through the water phase unite to form a continuous monomer layer, the compound to be polymerized thus separated off is returned to the point at which it is fed into the water phase and the stream of droplets near the place where the droplets separate off occupies only a part of the horizontal section of the water phase, the process being characterized in that the water phase outside the stream of the droplets affords sufficient space for the presence of the droplets to result in a circulation of the water phase in this space, which circulation does not extend to the point where the compound to be polymerized is fed into the water phase, and space is provided at the interface of the continuous monomer phase and the water phase for the current created in the water phase to spread out radially from its centre in a horizontal direction over an arc of at least 180 degrees. The water phase may circulate in a frusto-conical part 2 of a reaction column 1 with the stream of droplets separated by a baffle 5 from the water phase outside this stream.  A guide plate 6 may be located at the interface of the continuous monomer phase and the water phase or at a short distance from this interface in the monomer phase.  In an example, polyvinyl chloride is prepared by passing liquid droplets of vinylchloride through an aqueous solution containing sodium mersolate, potassium persulphate and sodium bicarbonate.  Two or more liquid olefinically unsaturated compounds may be polymerized together.  Specification 707,117 is referred to.ALSO:<PICT:0721345/III/1> An apparatus for the polymerization of liquid olefinically unsaturated compounds in a medium consisting of a solution of an emulsifier in water, wherein a stream of liquid droplets of the compound to be polymerized is fed from a distribution device through the water phase (see Group IV(a)) consists principally of a vertical column 1 which has a lower tubular part and an enlarged upper end 2, the upper and lower ends of the column being connected by a recirculation line 3 in which a pump, not shown, is placed, and which has at the lower end a distribution device 4.  A cylindrical baffle 5 is placed within the enlarged end 2, in which there may also be present a horizontal guide plate 6 to promote the formation of desired streams of aqueous phase and assist the separation of the aqueous and monomer phases.  A feed line 7 for the water phase, a discharge line 8 for the water phase and a feed line 9 for monomer are also provided.  A modified form of baffle is described Fig. 2 (not shown).  Specification 707,117, [Group IV(a)], is referred to.