Patent Description:
A water-absorbent resin can be manufactured by polymerizing monomers serving as a raw material to form an aqueous gel-like polymer and then drying the polymer. During the polymerization reaction, heat of polymerization is generated. Thus, the polymerization tank for use in polymerization is often connected to a heat exchanger to remove the heat of polymerization. This type of heat exchanger is typically configured to cool and condense a gas delivered from the polymerization tank, and then return the condensed matter to the polymerization tank (see Patent Literature <NUM>).

The gas delivered to the heat exchanger usually contains a polymer. As pointed out in Patent Literature <NUM>, the polymer may clog the pipes for heat transfer in the heat exchanger. In order to deal with this problem, Patent Literature <NUM> proposes suppressing the clogging of pipes with a polymer by obliquely attaching a plate-like member with a plurality of through holes in a chamber connected to the upstream side of a plurality of pipes for heat transfer, and collecting the polymer at a low place on the top surface of the member.

Patent Literature <NUM>: <CIT>, which can be considered as the closest prior art, discloses a method for manufacturing a water-absorbent resin using a plate-shape member to prevent lump of a polymer to obstruct the heat exchanger.

However, even with the method described in Patent Literature <NUM>, the clogging of the pipes cannot be sufficiently prevented, and the pipes still often become clogged. Accordingly, it is necessary to regularly stop the operation of the heat exchanger, disassemble the heat exchanger, and clean the inside thereof, which is very burdensome to users. Similar problems may occur in other heat exchangers connected to a vessel holding an aqueous gel-like polymer such as a concentrator for use in evaporating a liquid component after the end of a polymerization reaction.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a water-absorbent resin that is capable of effectively preventing the clogging of pipes of a heat exchanger.

A method for manufacturing a water-absorbent resin according to the invention includes a cleaning step of cleaning an inside of a heat exchanger that is connected to a vessel holding an aqueous gel-like polymer as a precursor of the water-absorbent resin and is configured to cool a gas containing the polymer produced in the vessel. The heat exchanger includes: a plurality of pipes that have elongated paths through which the gas passes, and in which the gas is cooled due to heat dissipation during passage through the paths; a chamber that is arranged above the plurality of pipes and is in communication with openings at upper ends of the plurality of pipes; and a cleaner that sprays a cleaning liquid in the chamber. The cleaning step includes at least cleaning an inside of the chamber by spraying the cleaning liquid from the cleaner in the chamber.

A method for manufacturing a water-absorbent resin according to claim is the manufacturing method according to claim <NUM> in which the cleaner is configured to spray the cleaning liquid toward at least an inner wall surface of the chamber.

A method for manufacturing a water-absorbent resin according to claim <NUM> is the manufacturing method according to claim <NUM> in which the cleaner is configured to spray the cleaning liquid toward at least a top surface included in the inner wall surface of the chamber.

A method for manufacturing a water-absorbent resin according to claim <NUM> is the manufacturing method according to any one of claims <NUM> to <NUM> in which the cleaner has a spray nozzle configured to rotate around a first shaft extending in a first direction while rotating around a second shaft extending in a second direction that intersects the first direction, and configured to spray the cleaning liquid while rotating around the first shaft and the second shaft.

A method for manufacturing a water-absorbent resin according to claim <NUM> is the manufacturing method according to any one of claims <NUM> to <NUM> in which the vessel is a polymerization tank in which monomers serving as a raw material for the water-absorbent resin are polymerized.

A method for manufacturing a water-absorbent resin according to claim <NUM> is the manufacturing method according to any one of claims <NUM> to <NUM> in which the cleaning step includes removing a lump of the polymer adhering to at least one of the inner wall surface of the chamber and inner wall surfaces of the pipes by spraying the cleaning liquid from the cleaner in the chamber.

A method for manufacturing a water-absorbent resin according to claim <NUM> is the manufacturing method according to claim <NUM> in which the cleaning step includes breaking up and knocking off the lump of the polymer adhering to the inner wall surface of the chamber by spraying the cleaning liquid toward the inner wall surface of the chamber.

According to the foregoing aspects, the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the cleaner in the chamber that is arranged above the plurality of pipes in the heat exchanger and is in communication with the openings at the upper ends of the plurality of pipes. This makes it possible to remove the aqueous gel-like polymer that is the precursor of the water-absorbent resin adhering to the inside of the chamber, thereby effectively prevent the clogging of the pipes. As a result, the water-absorbent resin can be manufactured efficiently.

A method for manufacturing a water-absorbent resin according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a general configuration diagram of a water-absorbent resin manufacturing apparatus <NUM> for use in performing a method for manufacturing a water-absorbent resin according to the present embodiment. Water-absorbent resin is widely used in various applications such as hygiene products for paper diapers and sanitary items, daily necessities such as pet sheets, water-absorbent paper towel for food, water-stop materials for cables, industrial materials such as condensation-preventive material, and water retention agents and soil improvement agents for greening, agriculture, and gardening. Water-absorbent resin is manufactured by polymerizing monomers serving as a raw material to form a polymer.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a water-absorbent resin manufacturing apparatus <NUM> includes a polymerizer <NUM> and a concentrator <NUM>. The polymerizer <NUM> polymerizes monomers serving as a raw material for the water-absorbent resin to form a slurry containing an aqueous gel-like polymer (a liquid containing an aqueous gel-like polymer). The concentrator <NUM> evaporates a liquid component of the slurry delivered from the polymerizer <NUM> to concentrate the slurry and produce a concentrated polymer liquid. The manufacturing apparatus <NUM> further includes a dryer <NUM>. The dryer <NUM> dries the concentrated polymer liquid delivered from the concentrator <NUM> (that is, volatilizes the liquid component). In the case of producing an aqueous gel-like polymer by a reverse-phase suspension polymerization method, the liquid component mainly contains a hydrocarbon dispersion medium and water. In the case of producing an aqueous gel-like polymer by an aqueous polymerization method, the liquid component mainly contains water.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the manufacturing apparatus <NUM> includes two heat exchangers 4A and 4B. During the polymerization reaction in the polymerizer <NUM>, heat of polymerization is generated. During the concentration process in the concentrator <NUM>, the slurry is heated. The heat exchanger 4Ais connected to the polymerizer <NUM> to remove the heat of polymerization. The heat exchanger 4B is connected to the concentrator <NUM> to remove heat produced during the concentration process.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the manufacturing apparatus <NUM> further includes a control device <NUM> that controls the operations of the polymerizer <NUM>, the concentrator <NUM>, the dryer <NUM>, and the heat exchangers 4A and 4B to control the water-absorbent resin manufacturing process. The control device <NUM> is typically implemented as a computer controlled by programs.

The polymerizer <NUM>, the concentrator <NUM>, the dryer <NUM>, and the heat exchangers 4A and 4B will be described in detail below, while touching on various devices connected to these devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, 4A, and 4B as appropriate.

The polymerizer <NUM> has a polymerization tank <NUM>. The polymerization tank <NUM> is a vessel that holds monomers serving as a raw material for the water-absorbent resin, for example, water-soluble ethylene unsaturated monomers, and a liquid component, such that a gas-phase component is formed above these materials. In the polymerization tank <NUM>, the monomers and the liquid component are appropriately stirred by a stirrer (not illustrated) and are heated by a heater (not illustrated), so that the polymerization reaction of the monomers proceeds to produce an aqueous gel-like polymer. The stirrer and the heater are connected to the control device <NUM>, and operations thereof are controlled by the control device <NUM>. Accordingly, a slurry containing the aqueous gel-like polymer as a precursor of the water-absorbent resin is held in the polymerization tank <NUM>.

The polymerization tank <NUM> has openings <NUM> and <NUM> at the upper part. One end of a pipe L1 is connected to the upper opening <NUM>, and the other end of the pipe L1 is connected to an opening <NUM> in the heat exchanger 4A described later. A gas heated by the heat of polymerization resulting from the polymerization reaction is discharged from the opening <NUM>, passes through the pipe L1, and flows into the heat exchanger 4A via the opening <NUM>. A valve V1 is attached to the pipe L1. The opening and closing of the valve V1 is controlled by the control device <NUM> in order to control the flow of the gas via the pipe L1.

One end of another pipe L2 is connected to the other upper opening <NUM>, and the other end of the pipe L2 is connected to an opening <NUM> in the heat exchanger 4A described later. The gas delivered from the polymerization tank <NUM> to the heat exchanger 4A is cooled and condensed to a cooled fluid containing a liquid and a gas in the heat exchanger 4A. The cooled fluid is discharged from the opening <NUM>, passes through the pipe L2, and flows into the polymerization tank <NUM> via the opening <NUM>. Accordingly, the heat of polymerization is removed from the polymerization tank <NUM>. A valve V2 is attached to the pipe L2. The opening and closing of the valve V2 is controlled by the control device <NUM> in order to control the flow of the cooled fluid via the pipe L2.

The polymerization tank <NUM> has an opening <NUM> at the lower part. One end of a pipe L3 is connected to the lower opening <NUM>, and the other end of the pipe L3 is connected to an opening <NUM> in the concentrator <NUM> described later. A slurry generated by the polymerization reaction in the polymerization tank <NUM> is discharged from the opening <NUM>, passes through the pipe L3, and flows into the concentrator <NUM> via the opening <NUM>. A valve V3 is attached to the pipe L3. The opening and closing of the valve V3 is controlled by the control device <NUM> in order to control the flow of the slurry via the pipe L3.

The concentrator <NUM> has a concentration tank <NUM>. The concentration tank <NUM> has openings <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> at the upper part. The upper opening <NUM> is connected to the opening <NUM> in the polymerization tank <NUM> via the pipe L3 as described above. The concentration tank <NUM> is a vessel that holds the slurry delivered from the polymerization tank <NUM> via the pipe L3 such that a gas-phase component is formed above the slurry. In the concentration tank <NUM>, the slurry is stirred as appropriate by a stirrer (not illustrated) and is heated by a heater (not illustrated), so that the liquid component in the slurry evaporates and the slurry becomes concentrated. The stirrer and the heater are connected to the control device <NUM>, and operations thereof are controlled by the control device <NUM>. Accordingly, the concentration tank <NUM> holds a concentrated liquid containing an aqueous gel-like polymer as the precursor of a water-absorbent resin.

One end of another pipe L4 is connected to another upper opening <NUM>, and the other end of the pipe L4 is connected to the opening <NUM> in the heat exchanger 4B described later. A gas heated by the concentration process is discharged from the opening <NUM>, passes through the pipe L4, and flows into the heat exchanger 4B via the opening <NUM>. A valve V4 is attached to the pipe L4. The opening and closing of the valve V4 is controlled by the control device <NUM> in order to control the flow of the gas via the pipe L4.

One end of another pipe L5 is connected to the other opening <NUM> at the upper part, and the other end of the pipe L5 is connected to the opening <NUM> in the heat exchanger 4B described later. The gas delivered from the concentration tank <NUM> to the heat exchanger 4B is cooled and condensed in the heat exchanger 4B to form a cooled fluid containing a liquid and a gas. The cooled fluid is discharged from the opening <NUM>, passes through the pipe L5, and an oil component therein flows into the concentration tank <NUM>. Accordingly, heat is removed from the concentration tank <NUM>. A valve V5 is attached to the pipe L5. The opening and closing of the valve V5 is controlled by the control device <NUM> in order to control the flow of the cooled fluid via the pipe L5.

In the present embodiment, an oil separation device D1 is attached to the pipe L5. The oil separation device D1 is used to manufacture a polymer by a reverse-phase suspension polymerization method, and is not required to be used in the case of employing a water-solution polymerization method. The oil separation device D1 is a device that separates an oil component (hydrocarbon dispersion medium) and a water component from a liquid component, and is connected to a collector D2 via a pipe L7 branched from the pipe L5. The water component separated from the cooled fluid by the oil separation device D1 is discharged from the system and collected in the collector D2, rather than being returned to the concentration tank <NUM>. This promotes dehydration of the slurry in the concentration tank <NUM>. On the other hand, the oil component separated from the cooled fluid by the oil separation device D1 is returned to the concentration tank <NUM> via the opening <NUM>.

Note that the opening <NUM>, the valve V5, the oil separation device D1 and the like may be omitted, and all of the cooled fluid discharged from the opening <NUM> in the heat exchanger 4B may be discharged from the system and collected in the collector D2. In this case, an oil component is preferably added to the concentration tank <NUM> as appropriate.

The concentration tank <NUM> has an opening <NUM> at the lower part. One end of a pipe L6 is connected to the lower opening <NUM>, and the other end of the pipe L6 is connected to an opening <NUM> in the dryer <NUM> described later. The concentrated liquid generated by the concentration process in the concentration tank <NUM> is discharged from the opening <NUM>, passes through the pipe L6, and flows into the dryer <NUM> via the opening <NUM>. A valve V6 is attached to the pipe L6. The opening and closing of the valve V6 is controlled by the control device <NUM> in order to control the flow of the concentrated liquid via the pipe L6.

The dryer <NUM> has a drying chamber <NUM>. The drying chamber <NUM> has the opening <NUM> at the upper part. The upper opening <NUM> is connected to the opening <NUM> in the concentration tank <NUM> via the pipe L6 as described above. The drying chamber <NUM> receives the concentrated liquid delivered from the concentration tank <NUM> via the pipe L6 and heats the concentrated liquid by a heater (not illustrated) to dry the polymer of the water-absorbent resin contained in the concentrated liquid. The heater is connected to the control device <NUM>, and the operation thereof is controlled by the control device <NUM>.

Note that the concentrator <NUM> and the heat exchanger 4B connected thereto may be omitted, and the polymerizer <NUM> may be connected directly to the dryer <NUM>. In this case, the dryer <NUM> concentrates and dries the slurry at the same time.

Next, the structure of the heat exchangers 4A and 4B will be described with reference to <FIG>. The heat exchanger 4A and 4B have the same structure, and hereinafter, they will be collectively called heat exchanger <NUM> without differentiation therebetween, and the structure thereof will be collectively described.

The heat exchanger <NUM> is a device that cools the gas containing the aqueous gel-like polymer as a precursor of the water-absorbent resin, which is produced in the polymerization tank <NUM> or the concentration tank <NUM>. The heat exchanger <NUM> has a casing <NUM>. The casing <NUM> has a cylindrical trunk part <NUM>, a dome-like upper chamber <NUM> connected to the upper end of the trunk part <NUM>, and an inverse dome-like lower chamber <NUM> connected to the lower end of the trunk part <NUM>. The inner space of the trunk part <NUM> and the inner space of the upper chamber <NUM> are partitioned and separated from each other by a partition wall <NUM>. Similarly, the inner space of the trunk part <NUM> and the inner space of the lower chamber <NUM> are partitioned and separated from each other by a partition wall <NUM>.

The opening <NUM> is formed in the wall surface part of the upper chamber <NUM> to let the inside and outside of the upper chamber <NUM> communicate with each other. The opening <NUM> is connected to the opening <NUM> in the polymerization tank <NUM> via the pipe L1 or is connected to the opening <NUM> in the concentration tank <NUM> via the pipe L4, as described above. Therefore, the gas containing the aqueous gel-like polymer is introduced from the polymerization tank <NUM> or the concentration tank <NUM> into the upper chamber <NUM> via the opening <NUM>.

A plurality of pipes <NUM> that are vertically elongated are arranged inside the trunk part <NUM>. These pipes <NUM> extend between a plurality of openings in the upper partition wall <NUM> and a plurality of openings in the lower partition wall <NUM>. Therefore, the upper chamber <NUM> is arranged above the plurality of pipes <NUM> and is in communication with openings at upper ends of the plurality of pipes <NUM>. The lower chamber <NUM> is arranged under the plurality of pipes <NUM> and is in communication with openings at lower ends of the plurality of pipes <NUM>.

The pipes <NUM> each define an elongated path. The gas delivered from the polymerization tank <NUM> or the concentration tank <NUM> is introduced into the upper chamber <NUM>, and then is introduced from the upper chamber <NUM> into these paths. While passing through the paths, the gas dissipates heat and is cooled and condensed into a cooled fluid containing a liquid and a gas. Thereafter, the cooled fluid is introduced into the lower chamber <NUM>.

The lowermost part of the lower chamber <NUM> has the opening <NUM> that lets the inside and outside of the lower chamber <NUM> communicate with each other. The opening <NUM> is connected to the opening <NUM> in the polymerization tank <NUM> via the pipe L2 or is connected to the opening <NUM> in the concentration tank <NUM> via the pipe L5. Therefore, the cooled fluid is discharged from the lower chamber <NUM> into the polymerization tank <NUM> or the concentration tank <NUM> via the opening <NUM>.

The wall surface part of the trunk part <NUM> has the openings <NUM> and <NUM> that let the inside and outside of the trunk part <NUM> communicate with each other. The openings <NUM> and <NUM> are separately arranged at the upper part and lower part of the trunk part <NUM>. A plurality of guide plates <NUM> are arranged inside the trunk part <NUM> with predetermined spacings therebetween in the vertical direction. The guide plates <NUM> have a plurality of openings into which the plurality of corresponding pipes <NUM> are inserted.

Either the opening <NUM> or the opening <NUM> constitutes an introduction port through which a heat-exchange fluid is introduced into the trunk part <NUM>, and the other one constitutes a discharge port through which the heat-exchange fluid is discharged from the trunk part <NUM>. Although there is no particular limitation this, the heat-exchange fluid is water or air, for example. In the example of <FIG>, the lower opening <NUM> is the introduction port, the upper opening <NUM> is the discharge port, and the flow of the heat-exchange fluid is indicated with arrows A1. The heat-exchange fluid introduced into the trunk part <NUM> via the introduction port that is either one of the openings <NUM> and <NUM> is guided by the plurality of guide plates <NUM> in the trunk part <NUM>, passes through a winding course to the discharge port that is the other one of the openings <NUM> and <NUM>, and is discharged from the trunk part <NUM> via the discharge port. Since the heat-exchange fluid comes into contact with the plurality of pipes <NUM> while flowing through the trunk part <NUM> from the introduction port to the discharge port, efficient heat exchange is achieved between the heat-exchange fluid and the gas flowing in the pipes <NUM> to facilitate the condensation of the gas.

As described above, the gas delivered into the heat exchanger <NUM> contains a polymer. If the polymer excessively enters and adheres to the inside of the pipes <NUM> in the heat exchanger <NUM> and clog the pipes <NUM>, it is necessary to perform burdensome work of stopping the operation of the heat exchanger <NUM>, and disassembling and cleaning the heat exchanger <NUM> on a regular basis. In the present embodiment, in order to effectively prevent the clogging of the pipes <NUM>, a cleaner <NUM> is arranged in the upper chamber <NUM>. The cleaner <NUM> sprays a cleaning liquid in the upper chamber <NUM> to clean the inside of the heat exchanger <NUM> (mainly the inside of the upper chamber <NUM>).

The present inventors have found that the clogging of the pipes <NUM> is more likely to occur due to the polymer adhering to the inner wall surfaces (in particular, the top surface) of the upper chamber <NUM> than due to the polymer adhering to the inner wall surfaces of the pipes <NUM>. That is, if the polymer adheres to the inner wall surfaces, in particular the top surface of the upper chamber <NUM> and grows to large lumps, the lumps may then drop off to clog the pipes <NUM>. The same thing can be said for the case where the polymer adheres to the upper surface of the upper partition wall <NUM>.

Based on the above findings, the inventors have discovered that the clogging of the pipes <NUM> can be effectively prevented by cleaning the inside of the upper chamber <NUM>, more preferably, by spraying a cleaning liquid onto at least the inner wall surfaces of the upper chamber <NUM> (cleaning the inner wall surfaces). The inside of the upper chamber <NUM> includes surfaces defining the inner space of the upper chamber <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the inside of the upper chamber <NUM> includes the inner wall surfaces of the upper chamber <NUM> and the upper surface of the upper partition wall <NUM>.

The inventors have also found that the inner wall surfaces of the upper chamber <NUM> that are to be cleaned preferably include at least the top surface, and that the clogging of the pipes <NUM> can be further effectively prevented by not only cleaning the inside of the upper chamber <NUM> (preferably, the inner wall surfaces of the upper chamber <NUM>, more preferably, the top surface included in the inner wall surfaces of the upper chamber <NUM>) but also cleaning the inside of the pipes <NUM>. In this respect, the cleaner <NUM> in the present embodiment can effectively clean not only the inner wall surfaces including the top surface of the upper chamber <NUM> and the upper surface of the upper partition wall <NUM> but also the inside of the pipes <NUM>.

The cleaner <NUM> includes a nozzle <NUM>, a first shaft <NUM> that extends vertically, a second shaft <NUM> that extends horizontally, a first motor <NUM> that drives the first shaft <NUM> to rotate, and a second motor <NUM> that drives the second shaft <NUM> to rotate. The first motor <NUM> is fixed to the center of the top surface of the upper chamber <NUM> in a plan view, rotatably supports the upper part of the first shaft <NUM>, and drives the first shaft <NUM> to rotate around an axis parallel to the vertical direction. The second motor <NUM> is fixed to the lower part of the first shaft <NUM>, rotatably supports one end of the second shaft <NUM>, and drives the second shaft <NUM> to rotate around an axis parallel to the horizontal direction. The nozzle <NUM> is fixed to the other end of the second shaft <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the nozzle <NUM> is arranged in the upper chamber <NUM> and has two jetting ports <NUM> and <NUM>. The jetting ports <NUM> and <NUM> are both open in directions intersecting the second shaft <NUM> (in the present embodiment, directions orthogonal to the second shaft <NUM>). The jetting ports <NUM> and <NUM> are also arranged at positions separated from each other by <NUM>° around the second shaft <NUM>, and are open in opposite directions. The first motor <NUM> and the second motor <NUM> are connected to the control device <NUM>. The driving of the first motor <NUM> and the second motor <NUM>, that is to say the rotational operations of the first shaft <NUM> and the second shaft <NUM>, are controlled by the control device <NUM>.

When executing the cleaning step of cleaning the inside of the heat exchanger <NUM>, the control device <NUM> drives the first motor <NUM> and the second motor <NUM> at the same time. Accordingly, the jetting ports <NUM> and <NUM> included in the nozzle <NUM> rotate around the first shaft <NUM> while rotating around the second shaft <NUM>. Hereinafter, the rotation around the first shaft <NUM> will also be called "revolution", and the rotation around the second shaft <NUM> will also be called "spinning".

As indicated with arrow A2 in <FIG>, the first shaft <NUM> and the second shaft <NUM> internally have a path through which a cleaning liquid flows. In the cleaning step, the cleaning liquid is supplied from a pump (not illustrated) into the path, flows into the nozzle <NUM>, and is sprayed through the jetting ports <NUM> and <NUM>. The pump is connected to the control device <NUM> so that the control device <NUM> controls the discharge timing and discharge pressure of the cleaning liquid. The type of the cleaning liquid is not particularly limited, but is preferably water.

As described above, in the cleaning step, the jetting ports <NUM> and <NUM> spray the cleaning liquid while revolving and spinning. As a result, the cleaning liquid is sprayed three-dimensionally in every direction from the jetting ports <NUM> and <NUM> in the upper chamber <NUM>. The cleaning liquid is sprayed onto all the inner wall surfaces of the upper chamber <NUM> including the top surface and side surfaces, and collides with all the surfaces to remove the adhering polymer from all the surfaces. The cleaning liquid is also sprayed down from the nozzle <NUM>, that is to say onto the upper surface of the upper partition wall <NUM> and the inside of the pipes <NUM> to remove the adhering polymer from the upper surface of the upper partition wall <NUM> and the inner wall surfaces of the pipes <NUM>.

The lower limit of the flow rate of the cleaning liquid is preferably <NUM>/min, more preferably <NUM>/min, and further preferably <NUM>/min. The upper limit of flow rate of the cleaning liquid is preferably <NUM>/min, more preferably <NUM>/min, and further preferably <NUM>/min. The lower limit of discharge pressure of the cleaning liquid is preferably <NUM> MPaG, more preferably <NUM> MPaG, and further preferably <NUM> MPaG. The upper limit of discharge pressure of the cleaning liquid is preferably <NUM> MPaG, more preferably <NUM> MPaG, and further preferably <NUM> MPaG. When the flow rate and the discharge pressure of the cleaning liquid are within the foregoing ranges, it is possible to efficiently break up and knock off lumps of the polymer on the inside of the upper chamber <NUM> while effectively suppressing the usage of the cleaning liquid.

A method for manufacturing a water-absorbent resin using the manufacturing apparatus <NUM> will be described below, taking a reverse-phase suspension polymerization method as an example.

The processes for manufacturing a water-absorbent resin by the manufacturing apparatus <NUM> are mainly controlled by the control device <NUM>. First, monomers serving as a raw material for a water-absorbent resin and a liquid component (a hydrocarbon dispersion medium) are put into the polymerization tank <NUM>. The control device <NUM> switches the valve V1 and the valve V2 to the open state to put the polymerization tank <NUM> and the heat exchanger 4A in communication with each other. In this state, the control device <NUM> drives the stirrer and the heater included in the polymerizer <NUM>. Accordingly, a polymerization reaction proceeds in the polymerization tank <NUM>, and a gas containing an aqueous gel-like polymer heated by the heat of polymerization is delivered to the heat exchanger 4A via the pipe L1. The gas passes through the upper chamber <NUM> in the heat exchanger 4A and is cooled during passage through the pipes <NUM> to form a cooled fluid. The cooled fluid is then returned to the polymerization tank <NUM> via the pipe L2. In this manner, a slurry containing the aqueous gel-like polymer is produced in the polymerization tank <NUM>.

Upon completion of the process in the polymerizer <NUM>, the control device <NUM> stops the driving of the stirrer and the heater included in the polymerizer <NUM> and switches the valve V3 to the open state. Accordingly, the slurry in the polymerization tank <NUM> is delivered to the concentration tank <NUM>. After the delivery of all the slurry from the polymerization tank <NUM> to the concentration tank <NUM>, the control device <NUM> returns the valve V3 to the closed state. The control device <NUM> then switches the valves V4 and V5 to the open state to put the concentration tank <NUM> and the heat exchanger 4B in communication with each other. In this state, the control device <NUM> drives the stirrer and heater included in the concentrator <NUM>. Accordingly, the process of concentration of the slurry in the concentration tank <NUM> proceeds, and a gas containing the heated aqueous gel-like polymer is delivered to the heat exchanger 4B via the pipe L4. The gas passes through the upper chamber <NUM> in the heat exchanger 4B, and is cooled during passage through the pipes <NUM> to form a cooled fluid. Then, the oil component contained in the cooled fluid is returned to the concentration tank <NUM> via the pipe L5. In this manner, a concentrated liquid of the slurry is produced in the concentration tank <NUM>.

At the end of the process in the concentrator <NUM>, the control device <NUM> stops the driving of the stirrer and heater included in the concentrator <NUM> and switches the valve V6 to the open state. Accordingly, the concentrated liquid in the concentration tank <NUM> is delivered to the drying chamber <NUM>. After the delivery of all the concentrated liquid from the concentration tank <NUM> to the drying chamber <NUM>, the control device <NUM> returns the valve V6 to the closed state. The control device <NUM> then drives the heater included in the dryer <NUM>. Accordingly, the drying of the polymer contained in the concentrated liquid proceeds in the drying chamber <NUM>. In this manner, a dried water-absorbent resin is manufactured in the drying chamber <NUM>.

After the end of the process in the polymerizer <NUM>, at the same time as the subsequent concentration process or the drying process or after these processes, the step of cleaning the inside of the heat exchanger 4A is executed. The control device <NUM> drives the first motor <NUM>, the second motor <NUM>, and the pump included in the cleaner <NUM> at the same time, and causes the nozzle <NUM> to spray a cleaning liquid from the jetting ports <NUM> and <NUM> while revolving and spinning in the upper chamber <NUM>, thereby cleaning the inside of the upper chamber <NUM> and the inside of the pipes <NUM>. At this time, along with the revolution and spinning of the nozzle <NUM>, the cleaning liquid sprayed from the jetting ports <NUM> and <NUM> is distributed with great force directly to all the wall surfaces of the upper chamber <NUM> including the top surface and side surfaces and the upper surface of the upper partition wall <NUM>. Due to the pressure, the cleaning liquid removes the adhering polymer from the inner wall surfaces of the upper chamber <NUM> and the upper surface of the upper partition wall <NUM>. Accordingly, the lumps of polymer adhering to the inside of the upper chamber <NUM> are broken up and knocked off from the inside of the upper chamber <NUM>.

Similarly, along with the revolution and spinning of the nozzle <NUM>, the cleaning liquid sprayed from the jetting ports <NUM> and <NUM> is also distributed with great force directly to the inside of the pipes <NUM>. Due to the pressure, the cleaning liquid removes the adhering polymer from the inner wall surfaces of the pipes <NUM>. Accordingly, the lumps of polymer adhering to the inner wall surfaces of the pipes <NUM> are also broken up and knocked off from the inner wall surfaces of the pipes <NUM>. As a result, the polymer is removed from the inside of the upper chamber <NUM> and the inside of the pipes <NUM>. The removed polymer passes through the pipes <NUM> together with the cleaning liquid and is collected in the lower chamber <NUM>. The cleaning liquid containing the polymer collected in the lower chamber <NUM> is appropriately discharged from the system via the opening <NUM>.

After the end of the process in the concentrator <NUM>, at the same as or after the subsequent drying process, the step of cleaning the inside of the heat exchanger 4B is executed. The cleaning step is executed similarly to the step of cleaning the inside of the heat exchanger 4A described above, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the cleaning step described above, it is possible to effectively remove the polymer adhering to the inside of the pipes <NUM> and the inside of the upper chamber <NUM>. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent the clogging of the pipes <NUM>. Consequently, the water-absorbent resin can be manufactured efficiently.

One embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiment. The following modification examples are possible.

<NUM>-<NUM>
The first shaft <NUM> does not need to extend vertically, and the second shaft <NUM> does not need to extend horizontally. The first shaft <NUM> and the second shaft <NUM> do not need to be orthogonal to each other, although they preferably intersect each other from the viewpoint of spraying the cleaning liquid in various directions.

<NUM>-<NUM>
The driving system of the nozzle <NUM> in the cleaner <NUM> is an electromotive driving system in the foregoing embodiment. Alternatively, the driving system may be a water-flow driving system.

<NUM>-<NUM>
In the foregoing embodiment, the cleaning liquid sprayed from the nozzle <NUM> is distributed directly to both the inside of the pipes <NUM> and the inside of the upper chamber <NUM> (the inner wall surfaces of the upper chamber <NUM> and the upper surface of the upper partition wall <NUM>) in order to remove the adhering polymer from both the parts. Alternatively, the cleaning liquid sprayed from the nozzle <NUM> may be distributed directly to only the inside of the upper chamber <NUM> to remove the adhering polymer from the inside of the upper chamber <NUM>. The portions inside the upper chamber <NUM> to be cleaned do not need to include the top surface of the upper chamber <NUM>. That is, the portions inside the upper chamber <NUM> to be cleaned may be only the side surfaces of the upper chamber <NUM>, only the upper surface of the upper partition wall <NUM>, or only the side surfaces of the upper chamber <NUM> and the upper surface of the upper partition wall <NUM>.

For example, the inside of the pipes <NUM> and the upper surface of the upper partition wall <NUM> can be cleaned by attaching a shower nozzle to the top surface of the upper chamber <NUM> and spraying the cleaning liquid downward from the shower nozzle. In addition, the side surfaces included in the inner wall surfaces of the upper chamber <NUM> can also be cleaned by adjusting the flow rate, discharge pressure, and spraying angle of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the shower nozzle. The cleaner <NUM> in the foregoing embodiment and the shower nozzle can be used in combination.

First and second examples of the present invention will be described below. However, the present invention is not limited to the first and second examples.

A manufacturing apparatus similar to the manufacturing apparatus <NUM> according to the foregoing embodiment was prepared and used to manufacture a water-absorbent resin by the manufacturing method according to the foregoing embodiment. That is, the series of processes of polymerizing monomers in a polymerizer and then discharging a slurry to a concentrator was executed about <NUM> times. In addition, each time a slurry was discharged to the concentrator, the cleaning of a heat exchanger connected to the polymerizer was performed. However, the cleaning step was suspended during the 168th to 243rd times out of the <NUM> times. In the cleaning step, the flow rate of the cleaning liquid was set to <NUM>/min, and the discharge pressure of the cleaning liquid was set to <NUM> MPaG. A water-flow driving cleaner (automatic rotation nozzle unit "JRN-080PG" manufactured by Sugino Machine Limited) was used as the cleaner.

The internal pressure in the polymerization tank and the heat exchanger connected thereto during the polymerization reaction was measured by a pressure gauge attached to the inside of the polymerization tank. <FIG> illustrates the pressure measurement results (maximum values during the polymerization reaction). The horizontal axis in <FIG> indicates the number of times when the series of processes was performed, including the polymerization process to the discharge process of the slurry and the step of cleaning the heat exchanger. <FIG> also illustrates the periods during which the cleaning step was suspended.

If the pipes in the heat exchanger become clogged, the pressure in the polymerization tank and the heat exchanger connected thereto increases. Therefore, the pressures described in <FIG> can be said to indicate the cleaning state of the heat exchanger. As seen from the measurement results, the pressure did not increase so much even after the execution of the polymerization process <NUM> times. After suspending the cleaning step, the pressure became higher. Thereafter, when the cleaning step was restarted, the pressure decreased again. This has confirmed that the cleaning step according to the first example had a high cleaning effect.

In the manufacturing apparatus according to the first example, the cleaner was detached from the heat exchanger connected to the polymerizer, and instead, as described in modification example <NUM>-<NUM>, a shower nozzle for spraying downward a cleaning liquid (the nozzle "JJXP150" manufactured by H. IKEUCHI & CO. ) was attached to the top surface of the upper chamber. Then, the manufacturing apparatus was used to perform the series of processes of polymerizing monomers in the polymerizer and then discharging a slurry to the concentrator was performed <NUM> times as in the first example. Each time the slurry was discharged to the concentrator, the cleaning of the heat exchanger connected to the polymerizer was performed. In the cleaning step, the flow rate of the cleaning liquid was set to <NUM>/min, and the discharge pressure of the cleaning liquid was set to <NUM> MPaG.

<FIG> illustrates the inner pressure (maximum values during the polymerization reaction) in the polymerization tank and the heat exchanger connected thereto during the polymerization reaction measured by a pressure gauge attached to inside of the polymerization tank. The horizontal axis in <FIG> also indicates the number of times when the series of processes was performed, including the polymerization process to the discharge process of the slurry and the step of cleaning the heat exchanger.

Claim 1:
A method for manufacturing a water-absorbent resin, comprising:
a cleaning step of cleaning an inside of a heat exchanger (<NUM>) that is connected to a vessel holding an aqueous gel-like polymer as a precursor of the water-absorbent resin and is configured to cool a gas containing the polymer produced in the vessel,
wherein the heat exchanger (<NUM>) includes:
a plurality of pipes (<NUM>) that have elongated paths through which the gas passes, and in which the gas is cooled due to heat dissipation during passage through the paths;
a chamber (<NUM>) that is arranged above the plurality of pipes (<NUM>) and is in communication with openings at upper ends of the plurality of pipes (<NUM>); and
a cleaner (<NUM>) that sprays a cleaning liquid in the chamber (<NUM>), and
the cleaning step includes at least cleaning an inside of the chamber (<NUM>) by spraying the cleaning liquid from the cleaner (<NUM>) in the chamber (<NUM>).