Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for making polyamides having at least two heat-transfer media for transferring heat to a tubular reactor. The method includes heating a first flowable heat-transfer medium, to provide a heated first flowable heat-transfer medium. The method includes transferring heat from the heated first flowable heat-transfer medium to a second flowable heat-transfer medium, to provide a heated second flowable heat- transfer medium. The method also includes transferring heat from the heated second flowable heat-transfer medium to a tubular reactor of a polyamide synthesis system.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for monitoring for gel formation in the production of a polyamide product. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method that can include directing a partially polymerized polyamide mixture through a flasher feed pump, a finisher pump, and a transfer line pump. The method can include switching the flasher feed pump, the finisher pump, and the transfer line pump from a first operating mode to a second operating mode. The method can include activating a gel time control unit and can be activated to estimate a gelation time for at least one of a flasher, a finisher, and a transfer line. The method can include switching a reactor of the polyamide synthesis system from the first operating mode to the second mode.
Abstract:
A side stream compounding unit is coupled to a continuous polyamide manufacturing system and is configured to divert polyamide from the manufacturing system, mixes additive with polyamide, and then return the polyamide-additive mixture to a main stream of polyamide in the manufacturing system.
Abstract:
Systems and processes are described herein for drying polyamide pellets. The system can include a spin dryer that removes a majority of surface water from wet polyamide pellets to generate partially dried pellets. The system can also include a fluid bed dryer that dries and transports the partially dried pellets from the spin dryer to produce dried polyamide pellets.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for recovering water from a condensation reaction of at least one carboxylic acid and at least one diamine to make polyamide. The method can include obtaining, from an evaporator, an aqueous mixture comprising a partially polymerized polyamide and at least one of a carboxylic acid and diamine; passing the aqueous mixture through a tubular reactor comprising subjecting the aqueous mixture to a temperature and pressure sufficient to further polymerize the partially polymerized polyamide by condensation of the carboxylic acid and diamine, thereby producing water having a substantially gaseous phase; passing the water having a substantially gaseous phase into a rectification column thereby removing one or more of a diamine, a carboxylic acid and polyamide to provide purified water having a substantially gaseous phase; and condensing the purified water having a substantially gaseous phase into purified water having a substantially liquid phase. The system can include, among other things, a tubular reactor, a rectification column, a condensation assembly, and a conduit network.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for making polyamides having at least two heat-transfer media. The method includes heating a first flowable heat-transfer medium, to provide a heated first flowable heat-transfer medium. The method includes transferring heat from the heated first flowable heat-transfer medium to a second flowable heat-transfer medium, to provide a heated second flowable heat-transfer medium. The method also includes transferring heat from the heated second flowable heat- transfer medium to at least one polyamide-containing component of a polyamide synthesis system.
Abstract:
The disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for production of polyamide polymers utilizing additive injectors. In one embodiment, an apparatus for batch production of a polyamide polymer is provided. The apparatus can include a salt strike vessel configured to produce a polyamide salt composition and an evaporator configured to reduce water content of the polyamide salt composition to produce a polymerizable polyamide composition. The apparatus can further include a first autoclave operably connected to the evaporator such that a first portion of the polymerizable polyamide composition is deliverable from the evaporator to the first autoclave, and a second autoclave operably connected to the evaporator such that a second portion of the polymerizable polyamide composition is deliverable from the evaporator to the second autoclave. The first additive injector can be associated with the first autoclave and can be configured to inject additives into the first autoclave.
Abstract:
A finisher assembly includes a finisher agitator having a spiral ribbon. The spiral ribbon includes an exterior edge that wipes a polymer fluid from an inner vessel wall of a finisher vessel of the assembly. One or more mixing struts are coupled along the spiral ribbon. An agitator ring is coupled with one or more of the spiral ribbon or the one or more mixing struts. The agitator ring and the one or more struts are recessed from the inner vessel wall compared to the exterior edge of the of spiral ribbon in close proximity to the inner vessel wall. When the agitator is rotated the one or more mixing struts and the agitator ring mix the polymer fluid without disturbing gel along the inner vessel wall or the mixing struts according to the recessing of the agitator ring and the mixings struts from the inner vessel wall.
Abstract:
A polymer finisher assembly having a finisher nozzle includes a vessel including an outlet orifice and an inlet orifice. The finisher nozzle extends through the inlet orifice of the vessel. The finisher nozzle includes an isometric barrel extending between a nozzle inlet port and a nozzle outlet port. A separator helix is within the isometric barrel. The separator helix separates a mixed flow of steam and polymer fluid and directs steam toward a barrel inner perimeter and directs the polymer fluid separated from the steam toward a helix axis and the nozzle outlet port. The isometric barrel and the separator helix cooperate to confine spattering of polymer fluid separated from steam to the melt pool and isolate an inner vessel wall of the vessel from spattering.
Abstract:
A system is configured for continuous polyamide synthesis. The system includes a vent condenser and a vacuum pump. The vent condenser is coupled to a polymerization finisher. The vent condenser has a liquid reservoir and a vent discharge port above a level of the liquid reservoir. The vacuum pump is coupled to the vent discharge port by an intake line. The vacuum pump has an output port and a rotary shaft. A gaseous mixture proximate the vent discharge port is removed at a rate determined by a speed of the rotary shaft. The vacuum pump is configured to have a liquid ring seal.