Loop Reactor for Emulsion Polymerisation

Abstract

A polymerization reactor comprising a circulation loop, an inlet for raw material, an outlet, driving means for circulating a reactor charge within the circulation loop, and a pig station for storing, launching, and receiving cleaning pigs. The pig station comprises a lid to cover an opening enabling removal of the cleaning pig. The pig station is constructed as a box with a cylindrical bore connected at both ends to the circulation loop, the bore having a central part with a diameter which is larger than the inner diameter of the circulation loop. At a transitional part at the outer ends of the bore the bore diameter narrows down to be substantially equal to the inner tube diameter of the circulation loop. Over at least a part of the inner bore substantially half of the circular cross-section is formed in the removable lid.

1 . A polymerization reactor comprising one or more circulation loops with one or more inlets for raw material, one or more outlets, driving means for circulating a reactor charge within the circulation loop, and a pig station for storing, launching, and receiving cleaning pigs, wherein the pig station comprises a lid to cover an opening, which enables removal of the cleaning pig. 
     
     
         2 . The reactor according to  claim 1 , wherein the pig station comprises a box with a cylindrical bore connected at both ends to the circulation loop, the bore having a central part with a diameter which is larger than the inner diameter of the circulation loop, and in a transitional part at the outer ends of the bore the bore diameter narrows down to be substantially equal to the inner tube diameter of the circulation loop. 
     
     
         3 . The reactor according to  claim 2 , wherein for at least a part of the bore substantially half of the circular cross-section is formed in the removable lid. 
     
     
         4 . The reactor according to  claim 1 , wherein the pig station is incorporated into a branch of the circulation loop and wherein the circulation loop comprises a diverter diverting the pig to the pig station. 
     
     
         5 . The reactor according to  claim 4 , wherein the pig station is incorporated into a by-pass line by-passing the driving means. 
     
     
         6 . The reactor according to  claim 1 , wherein the reactor comprises a shut-off valve behind the pig station. 
     
     
         7 . The reactor according to  claim 2 , wherein the bore is in open connection with a water phase feed. 
     
     
         8 . The reactor according to  claim 7 , wherein the reactor comprises a shut-off valve in the water phase feed of the pig box. 
     
     
         9 . The reactor according to  claim 2 , wherein the transitional part is an integral part of the pig station. 
     
     
         10 . The reactor according to  claim 2 , wherein the reactor comprises a shut-off valve behind the pig station. 
     
     
         11 . The reactor according to  claim 3 , wherein the reactor comprises a shut-off valve behind the pig station. 
     
     
         12 . The reactor according to  claim 3 , wherein the bore is in open connection with a water phase feed. 
     
     
         13 . The reactor according to  claim 12 , wherein the reactor comprises a shut-off valve in the water phase feed of the pig box. 
     
     
         14 . The reactor according to  claim 4 , wherein the pig station comprises a box with a cylindrical bore connected at both ends to the circulation loop, the bore having a central part with a diameter which is larger than the inner diameter of the circulation loop, and in a transitional part at the outer ends of the bore the bore diameter narrows down to be substantially equal to the inner tube diameter of the circulation loop. 
     
     
         15 . The reactor according to  claim 14 , wherein for at least a part of the bore substantially half of the circular cross-section is formed in the removable lid. 
     
     
         16 . The reactor according to  claim 14 , wherein the reactor comprises a shut-off valve behind the pig station. 
     
     
         17 . The reactor according to  claim 14 , wherein the bore is in open connection with a water phase feed. 
     
     
         18 . The reactor according to  claim 17 , wherein the reactor comprises a shut-off valve in the water phase feed of the pig box. 
     
     
         19 . The reactor according to  claim 6 , wherein the pig box is in open connection with a water phase feed. 
     
     
         20 . The reactor according to  claim 19 , wherein the reactor comprises a shut-off valve in the water phase feed of the pig box.