Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for producing polymerized plugs in which the polymerization starting materials are passed through heated reaction tubes by gravity feed. The polymerized rods so produced are cut into plugs and packaged for use. In an alternative embodiment, the polymerization starting materials are first encased within flexible sleeves, and the flexible sleeves are then passed through the heated tubes by gravity feed to form polymerized rods. Apparatus for performing the process includes at least one tube having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the outlet opening being at a lower elevation than the inlet opening to provide for gravity feed through the tube, and structure to heat the tube. A cutting device cuts the polymerized rods into plugs as they exit the outlet opening.

Abstract: A precipitation polymerization process for producing a macroporous cross-linked copolymeric lattice, capable of adsorbing hydrophilic and lipophilic fluids, in which process there is copolymerized at least one monounsaturated monomer and at least one polyunsaturated monomer in the presence of an organic liquid which is a solvent for the monomers but not for the copolymer, initiating the copolymerization of the monomers by means of a free radical generating catalytic compound, precipitating a copolymer in the solvent in the form of a powder, and forming a dry powder by removing the solvent from the precipitated copolymeric powder. One monomer is a hydrophilic compound and the other monomer is a lipophilic compound.