Abstract: A process for continuously classifying water-absorbing polymer beads by means of at least one screen, at least one screen having at least one guide device on the screen surface.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for continuously preparing water-absorbing polymers by mixing a monomer solution with at least one crosslinker and polymerizing the resulting mixture, wherein the residence time of the mixture between the addition of the at least one crosslinker and the entry into the polymerization reactor is less than 180 seconds, and also to an apparatus for performing the process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for continuously preparing water-absorbing polymer particles by mixing a monomer solution with a redox initiator consisting of at least one oxidizing agent and at least one reducing agent and polymerizing it, wherein the monomer solution is mixed with at least one oxidizing agent upstream of the polymerization reactor and the at least one reducing agent is metered into the polymerization reactor, and also to an apparatus for performing the process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing water-absorbing polymer particles, comprising the inertization of monomer solutions, wherein the monomer solution, based on the dissolved monomer, comprises from 0.001 to 0.016% by weight of at least one polymerization inhibitor and at least 50% by volume of the inert gas used to inertize the monomer solution is transferred into the polymerization reactor together with the inertized monomer solution, and also to apparatus for performing the process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing kneader comprising at least two shafts (2,3) configured as hollow shafts, on whose surfaces kneading bars (4) are disposed on elements (5). The construction of the shafts is selected in such a way that the resonant frequencies of the shafts have a separation of at least 5% from the excitation frequencies. At least one of the shafts is preferably flowed through by a temperature-control medium, the inlet being disposed on one side and the outlet on the other side of the shaft. The mixing kneader preferably comprises at least one orifice above the shafts which is configured as a dome, the dome being closed by a displacer (22). In addition, at least one orifice for product withdrawal is provided, whose orifice cross section is adjustable during operation.