Abstract: The static devolatilisation apparatus serves to treat a liquid (7) containing polymers for the purpose of polymer devolatilisation. Volatile components are separated from the polymers in that the liquid standing under pressure is expanded in at least one phase separation chamber (2) in the upper regions of the container (10). A discharge pump (3) for the devolatilised polymer is located at the base of a sump region. An extraction line (4) for gases (8) is located in the upper region. The separation chamber includes an inlet (20) for the liquid to be treated, lower openings (210) for polymer discharge and at least a single upper opening (220) for gas discharge.

Abstract: A static mixer (10) is provided with a first grid (14) having one or more crossing elements (16) and one or more slots and a second grid (14) having one or more crossing elements (16) and one or more slots. The crossing elements (16) of the first grid (14) are arranged at intersecting angles to the crossing elements (16) of the second grid (14). At least one elongated connector (18) is positioned between and secured to adjacent crossing elements (16) of the first grid (14) and crossing elements (16) of the second grid (14). The grids may further be arranged such that each crossing element of one grid intersects a slot in the other grid.

Abstract: A static mixer (10) is provided with a first grid (14) having one or more crossing elements (16) and one or more slots and a second grid (14) having one or more crossing elements (16) and one or more slots. The crossing elements (16) of the first grid (14) are arranged at intersecting angles to the crossing elements (16) of the second grid (14). At least one elongated connector (18) is positioned between and secured to adjacent crossing elements (16) of the first grid (14) and crossing elements (16) of the second grid (14). The grids may further be arranged such that each crossing element of one grid intersects a slot in the other grid.

Abstract: A polymer devolatilization preheater and a method for using the same to preheat a polymer/solvent solution. The preheater includes an elongated, upright hollow vessel defining a heating chamber having a upper and lower ends, and a longitudinal axis extending between the ends. An inlet for a polymer/solvent solution is located adjacent the upper end of the chamber and a molten polymer outlet is located adjacent the lower end of the chamber. A plurality of heating tube bundles are mounted in the chamber, each bundle including a plurality of elongated serpentine heating tubes which are each arranged in a configuration having a major axis which extends across the chamber in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. The tubes are positioned such that the polymer/solvent solution comes into heat transferring contact with an outer surface thereof as the polymer/solvent solution flows along a path that extends from the polymer/solvent solution inlet to the polymer outlet.

Abstract: A saddle element for a static mixer includes a generally ring-shaped support structure having a central axis, concentric inner and outer, radially spaced, circumferentially extending surfaces, and first and second axially spaced, generally parallel edge surfaces. The inner surface of the ring-shaped support structure defines a fluid flow path which extends along the central axis. The edge surfaces of the ring-shaped support structure are located in respective generally parallel transverse planes which are essentially perpendicular relative to the central axis. The saddle element also includes a plurality of crossbars that are located in the flow path. The crossbars have a first end which is closer to the transverse plane of the first edge of the ring-shaped support structure than to the transverse plane of the second edge of the ring-shaped support structure.

Abstract: A polymer devolatilization preheater and a method for using the same to preheat a polymer/solvent solution. The preheater includes an elongated, upright hollow vessel defining a heating chamber having a upper and lower ends, and a longitudinal axis extending between the ends. An inlet for a polymer/solvent solution is located adjacent the upper end of the chamber and a molten polymer outlet is located adjacent the lower end of the chamber. A plurality of heating tube bundles are mounted in the chamber, each bundle including a plurality of elongated serpentine heating tubes which are each arranged in a configuration having a major axis which extends across the chamber in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. The tubes are positioned such that the polymer/solvent solution comes into heat transferring contact with an outer surface thereof as the polymer/solvent solution flows along a path that extends from the polymer/solvent solution inlet to the polymer outlet.