Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for producing a water-absorbing resin by polymerization of a reaction mixture comprising at least one hydrophilic monomer and optionally at least one cross-linker, in a reactor. According to said method, at least one first fraction of a particulate additive is admixed to the reaction mixture before the reaction mixture reaches a dwell time of 40 % of the total dwell time in the reactor, and at least one second fraction of a particulate additive is admixed when the reaction mixture reaches a dwell time of 45 % or more of the total dwell time in the reactor. The additive is selected from the group of water-adsorbing resin powders, fillers and mixtures thereof, the total solids content of the monomer and the additive being 30 to 60 % by weight, the amount of the additive being 5 to 50 % by weight, based on the monomer, and the weight ratio of the first fraction to the second fraction of the additive being 10:1 to 1:5. The resin powder is constituted of, e.g., recycled fines. Bot the residual monomer content, especially the residual cross-linker content, and the content in extractable substances of the water-absorbing resin are reduced by the described manner of admixture. A high percentage of additives can be incorporated without deteriorating the properties of the water-absorbing resin so obtained. The additives form a sufficiently strong compound with the resin without excessive dust formation when the resin is exposed to mechanical stress.
Abstract:
The invention relates to the use of an apparatus for adding at least one solid or viscous liquid additive, or an additive dispersed in solvent, to a reactor interior of a reactor for preparing crosslinked, finely divided polymers by copolymerizing (a) water-soluble, monoethylenically unsaturated monomers and (b) from 0.001 to 5 mol %, based on the monomers (a), of monomers comprising at least two polymerizable groups, (c) from 0 to 20 mol %, based on the monomers (a), of water-insoluble monoethylenically unsaturated monomers, where the apparatus comprises at least one screw for conveying the at least one additive and the at least one screw ends in an addition orifice substantially flush with the inner wall of the reactor interior.