US4418191A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solvent purification
Assignee: TotalEnergies Onetech Belgium SA
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Filing: 1981-09-29
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Granted: 1983-11-29
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Expires: 2001-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A solution polymer process is made essentially energy-free by employing solvent vapor from steam stripping as the sole heat source during the separation of heavies from recycle solvent.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard B. Irvin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:11
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08F; C08F6/00; C08F6/06; B; B01; B01D; B01D3/00; B01D3/34; B01D3/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A process for lowering the energy requirement for a polymer recovery and solvent purification operation which comprises the steps of: (a) introducing a polymer reaction product comprising polymer, solvent, and material less volatile than said solvent into a stripping column; (b) introducing steam into said stripping column thereby producing a stripped overhead comprising steam, vaporized solvent and material less volatile than said solvent; (c) passing said steam stripped overhead as the heat supply into a fractionating column supplied with water reflux; (d) recovering wet solvent vapor as fractionated overhead from said fractionation column; (e) returning a stream comprising water, solvent, and materials less volatile than said solvent from the fractionation column base as reflux into said stripping column; and (f) recovering steam stripped polymer slurry from the base of said stripping column.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A process for lowering the energy requirement for a polymer recovery and solvent purification operation which comprises the steps of: (a) introducing a polymer reaction product comprising polymer, solvent, and material less volatile than said solvent into a stripping column; (b) introducing steam into said stripping column thereby producing a stripped overhead comprising steam, vaporized solvent and material less volatile than said solvent; (c) passing said steam stripped overhead as the heat supply into a fractionating column supplied with water reflux; (d) recovering wet solvent vapor as fractionated overhead from said fractionation column; (e) returning a stream comprising water, solvent, and materials less volatile than said solvent from the fractionation column base as reflux into said stripping column; and (f) recovering steam stripped polymer slurry from the base of said stripping column.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The process of claim 1 additionally comprising the steps of: (g) combining the fractionated overhead from said fractionation column with wet solvent from solvent drying operations; (h) condensing the combined product of (d); (i) passing the condensate to a decanter; and (j) recycling the water separated in (f) through the fractionation as water reflux of step (c).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Process of claim 2 wherein the water of step (i) is combined with water from a polymer recovery operation before it passes to step (j).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A process of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein said polymer is a rubber polymer produced by solution polymerization and the solvent is chosen from among the group consisting of aliphatic, cyclo-aliphatic and aromatic organic compounds which are liquids and which are compatible with the polymers produced.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A process of claim 4 wherein said polymers are derived from conjugated dienes containing 4-8 carbon atoms polymerized alone or in combination with other unsaturated monomers chosen from among the group consisting of styrene, alpha-methyl styrene, p-methyl styrene, acrylonitrile, methylcrylate, vinyl acetate, vinyl cyclohexene, vinyl chloride, methyl vinyl ether, ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, and 1-octene.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-11-28 | 1987-05-30 | 1987-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-28 | 1991-05-30 | 1991-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-28 | 1995-05-30 | 1995-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |