【Invention Title】
METHOD OF PREPARING AROMATIC VINYL COMPOUND-VINYL CYANIDE
COMPOUND POLYMER AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING THE SAME
5
【Technical Field】
[1] [Cross-Reference to Related Applications]
[2] This application claims priority to Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2018-0164399, filed on December 18, 2018,
10 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0072784, re-filed
on June 19, 2019, based on the priority of the above patent,
in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures
of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[3]
15 [4] The present invention relates to a method of
preparing an aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide
compound polymer and an apparatus for preparing the same.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a
method of preparing an aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl
20 cyanide compound polymer including a step of separating
2
volatile components from a polymerization product
containing an aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide
compound polymer, a residual aromatic vinyl monomer, a
residual vinyl cyanide monomer, and an organic solvent
5 using a volatilization tank; and a step of condensing the
separated volatile components using one condenser or two
or more condensers connected in series, wherein the method
includes a step of spraying an organic solvent onto the
separated volatile components being transferred from the
10 volatilization tank to the condenser; or a step of
spraying an organic solvent or an aromatic vinyl monomer
onto the volatile components not being condensed in a
first condenser and being transferred to a second
condenser when the two or more condensers connected in
15 series are used, and to an apparatus for preparing the
aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer.
According to the present invention, the amount of residual
monomers and organic solvents discharged may be reduced.
20 【Background Art】
3
[5] In general, aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide
compound polymers have excellent moldability, rigidity, and
electrical properties, and thus are widely used in various
fields including office automation (OA) equipment such as
5 computers, printers, and copiers, home appliances such as
televisions and audio systems, electric and electronic
components, and general goods. In particular, aromatic
vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymers having
improved heat resistance have been used in home appliances,
10 interior materials for housing and automobiles, and the like
due to the properties thereof of being not deformed at high
temperature.
[6]
[7] An aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound
15 polymer is prepared by reacting an aromatic vinyl compound
and a vinyl cyanide compound in an organic solvent. As a
result of the reaction, a polymerization product containing
the aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer
is obtained. In this case, in addition to the final product,
20 monomers and the organic solvent remain in the
4
polymerization product. Accordingly, a process for removing
the residual monomers and organic solvent is essential.
[8] According to a general procedure for preparing an
aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer,
5 polymerization is performed in a reactor; a polymerization
product discharged from the reactor after polymerization is
transferred to a volatilization tank, and volatile
components such as residual monomers and organic solvents
and an aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound
10 polymer are separated from each other in the volatilization
tank; and condensation of the separated volatile components
is performed using a condenser, and purification is
performed to obtain a final product, an aromatic vinyl
compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer.
15 [9] In general, a condensation system consisting of two
or three condensers is used. In this case, condensation
efficiency can be improved by increasing the pressure in the
condensers and lowering the temperature of a refrigerant.
However, due to installation limitations, there is a limit
20 in lowering the temperature of a supplied refrigerant,
5
resulting in discharge of uncondensed volatile components.
In addition, when the amount of vinyl cyanide monomers
having low boiling points is increased, condensation
efficiency is lowered.
5 [10] Uncondensed volatile components are discharged to
the stream through a wastewater treatment system or to the
atmosphere. In this case, wastewater treatment incurs
significant costs, and the discharged volatile components
cause environmental pollution.
10 [11] Therefore, to reduce the amount of volatile
components discharged to the atmosphere or introduced into a
wastewater treatment system when preparing an aromatic vinyl
compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer, a method of
preparing an aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound
15 polymer using a condenser having improved condensation
efficiency is required.
[12]
[13] [Related Art Documents]
[14] [Patent Documents]
20 [15] (Patent Document 1) KR 10-2007-0073028 A
6
【Disclosure】
【Technical Problem】
[16] Therefore, the present invention has been made in
5 view of the above problems, and it is one object of the
present invention to provide a method of preparing an
aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer
including a step of separating volatile components from a
polymerization product containing an aromatic vinyl
10 compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer, a residual aromatic
vinyl monomer, a residual vinyl cyanide monomer, and an
organic solvent using a volatilization tank; and a step of
condensing the separated volatile components using one
condenser or two or more condensers connected in series,
15 wherein the method includes a step of spraying an organic
solvent onto the separated volatile components being
transferred from the volatilization tank to the condenser;
or a step of spraying an organic solvent or an aromatic
vinyl monomer onto the volatile components not being
20 condensed in a first condenser and being transferred to a
7
second condenser when the two or more condensers connected
in series are used, and an apparatus for preparing the
aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer.
According to the present invention, the amount of residual
5 monomers and organic solvents discharged may be reduced.
[17]
[18] The above and other objects of the present
invention can be achieved by the present disclosure
described below.
10
【Technical Solution】
[19] In accordance with one aspect of the present
invention, provided is a method of preparing an aromatic
vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer including
15 separating volatile components from a polymerization product
containing an aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound
polymer, a residual aromatic vinyl monomer, a residual vinyl
cyanide monomer, and an organic solvent using a
volatilization tank; and condensing the separated volatile
20 components using one condenser or two or more condensers
8
connected in series, wherein the method includes spraying an
organic solvent onto the separated volatile components being
transferred from the volatilization tank to the condenser;
or spraying an organic solvent or an aromatic vinyl monomer
5 onto the volatile components not being condensed in a first
condenser and being transferred to a second condenser when
the two or more condensers connected in series are used.
[20]
[21] In accordance with another aspect of the present
10 invention, provided is an apparatus for preparing an
aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer
including a volatilization tank for separating volatile
components from a polymerization product containing an
aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer, a
15 residual aromatic vinyl monomer, a residual vinyl cyanide
monomer, and an organic solvent; and one condenser or two or
more condensers connected in series for condensing the
separated volatile components, wherein the apparatus
includes a spray means for spraying an organic solvent into
20 a transfer pipe for transferring the separated volatile
9
components to the condenser; or a spray means for spraying
an organic solvent or an aromatic vinyl monomer into a
transfer pipe for transferring the volatile components,
which have not been condensed in a first condenser, to a
5 second condenser, when the two or more condensers connected
in series are included.
【Advantageous effects】
[22] According to the present invention, when an
10 aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer is
prepared, an organic solvent or an aromatic vinyl monomer is
sprayed onto volatile components being transferred to a
first condenser or the volatile components not being
condensed in the first condenser and being transferred to a
15 second condenser without replacing equipment. Through this
process, the content of vinyl cyanide monomers having low
boiling points contained in the volatile components can be
reduced, thereby improving condensation efficiency.
Therefore, wastewater treatment costs consumed in treating
20 uncondensed volatile components can be reduced, and the
10
amount of volatile components harmful to the human body
discharged into the atmosphere can be significantly reduced.
【Description of Drawings】
5 [23] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a step of
separating volatile components from a polymerization product
containing an aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound
polymer, a residual aromatic vinyl monomer, and an organic
solvent and condensing the separated volatile components,
10 according to the present invention.
[24] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a step of
separating volatile components from a polymerization product
containing an aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound
polymer, a residual aromatic vinyl monomer, and an organic
15 solvent and condensing the separated volatile components,
according to the related art.
【Best mode】
[25] Hereinafter, the method of preparing an aromatic
20 vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer according to
11
the present invention will be described in detail.
[26] When an aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide
compound polymer is prepared, volatile components separated
from a polymerization product are not fully condensed in a
5 condensation process and are discharged to the outside. In
this case, wastewater treatment costs are incurred and
environmental pollution is caused. To solve these problems,
the present inventors have made efforts, and as a result,
confirmed that when an organic solvent or a monomer is added
10 to volatile components being transferred to a condenser,
condensation efficiency is improved and the amount of
volatile components discharged without being condensed is
reduced. Based on these findings, the present inventors
conducted additional studies and completed the present
15 invention.
[27]
[28] The method of preparing an aromatic vinyl compoundvinyl cyanide compound polymer according to the present
invention is as follows.
20 [29] The method of preparing an aromatic vinyl compound-
12
vinyl cyanide compound polymer according to the present
invention includes a step of separating volatile components
from a polymerization product containing an aromatic vinyl
compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer, a residual aromatic
5 vinyl monomer, a residual vinyl cyanide monomer, and an
organic solvent using a volatilization tank; and a step of
condensing the separated volatile components using one
condenser or two or more condensers connected in series,
wherein the method includes a step of spraying an organic
10 solvent onto the separated volatile components being
transferred from the volatilization tank to the condenser;
or a step of spraying an organic solvent or an aromatic
vinyl monomer onto the volatile components not being
condensed in a first condenser and being transferred to a
15 second condenser when the two or more condensers connected
in series are used. According to the method of the present
invention, condensation efficiency may be improved, and the
amount of volatile components discharged may be
significantly reduced.
20 [30] In the present invention, the first and second
13
condensers may be any two condensers of two or more
condensers connected in series, respectively. In this case,
the first condenser may be the condenser of the first stage,
and the second condenser may be the condenser of the second
5 stage.
[31] For example, the method of preparing an aromatic
vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer according to
the present invention includes a step of separating volatile
components from a polymerization product containing an
10 aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer, a
residual aromatic vinyl monomer, a residual vinyl cyanide
monomer, and an organic solvent using a volatilization tank;
and a step of condensing the separated volatile components
using two or more condensers connected in series, wherein
15 the method includes a step of spraying an organic solvent
onto volatile components being transferred to a first
condenser after being separated in the volatilization tank;
or a step of spraying an organic solvent or an aromatic
vinyl monomer onto the volatile components not being
20 condensed in the first condenser and being transferred to a
14
second condenser. According to the method of the present
invention, condensation efficiency may be improved, thereby
reducing the amount of the volatile components discharged.
[32]
5 [33] For example, the method of preparing an aromatic
vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer may include a
step of spraying an organic solvent onto volatile components
being transferred to a first condenser after being separated
in the volatilization tank; and a step of spraying an
10 organic solvent or an aromatic vinyl monomer onto the
volatile components not being condensed in the first
condenser and being transferred to a second condenser. In
this case, condensation efficiency may be improved, thereby
significantly reducing the amount of the volatile components
15 discharged.
[34]
[35] For example, the method may include a step of
polymerizing the aromatic vinyl compound and the vinyl
cyanide compound before the step of separating the volatile
20 components.
15
[36] For example, the aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl
cyanide compound polymer may be prepared by polymerizing the
aromatic vinyl compound and the vinyl cyanide compound in an
organic solvent.
5 [37] For example, when the polymerization reaction is
performed, one or more selected from the group consisting of
initiators, molecular weight regulators, and emulsifiers may
be included.
[38] For example, the polymerization reaction may be
10 bulk polymerization, solution polymerization, or emulsion
polymerization, preferably bulk polymerization or solution
polymerization. In this case, the mechanical properties
such as tensile strength and impact strength, heat
resistance, and heat stability of the prepared aromatic
15 vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer may be
excellent.
[39]
[40] In the present invention, a reaction method for
obtaining the aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound
20 polymer is not particularly limited, and general
16
polymerization methods may be used.
[41]
[42] For example, the step of separating the volatile
components in the volatilization tank may be performed at a
5 temperature of 220 to 260 °C under a pressure of 35 Torr or
less, preferably a temperature of 225 to 255 °C under a
pressure of 15 to 35 Torr. Within this range, the volatile
components may be effectively separated from the aromatic
vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer.
10 [43] Volatilization tanks generally used in the art to
which the present invention pertains may be used as the
volatilization tank of the present invention without
particular limitation.
[44]
15 [45] For example, the separated volatile components may
include 5 to 35 % by weight of the vinyl cyanide compound,
45 to 80 % by weight of the aromatic vinyl compound, and 5
to 50 % by weight of the organic solvent.
[46] As a specific example, the separated volatile
20 components may include 5 to 20 % by weight of the vinyl
17
cyanide compound, 45 to 59 % by weight of the aromatic vinyl
compound, and 25 to 45 % by weight of the organic solvent,
or may include 15 to 35 % by weight of the vinyl cyanide
compound, 60 to 80 % by weight of the aromatic vinyl
5 compound, and 5 to 25 % by weight of the organic solvent.
[47]
[48] For example, the aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl
cyanide compound polymer passed through the volatilization
tank may be transferred to a pelletizer and cut therein.
10 Then, cooling and drying are performed to obtain the
aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer in a
pellet form.
[49]
[50] In the present invention, two or more condensers
15 are preferably connected to each other in series, or two
condensers may be connected to each other in series. In
this case, condensation efficiency may be improved.
[51] In the present invention, condensers commonly used
in the art to which the present invention pertains may be
20 used as the condensers of the present invention without
18
particular limitation.
[52]
[53] For example, in the step of spraying the organic
solvent onto the volatile components being transferred to
5 the first condenser after being separated in the
volatilization tank, the organic solvent may be sprayed at a
flow rate of 10 to 200 kg/hr, 10 to 150 kg/hr, or 15 to 100
kg/hr, preferably 15 to 90 kg/hr, more preferably 20 to 50
kg/hr. In this case, the content of residual vinyl cyanide
10 monomers having low boiling points contained in the volatile
components may be reduced, thereby improving condensation
efficiency.
[54]
[55] For example, in the step of spraying the organic
15 solvent onto the volatile components being transferred to
the first condenser after being separated in the
volatilization tank, the flow rate of the organic solvent
may be 10 to 100 kg/hr, preferably 20 to 90 kg/hr. In the
step of spraying the organic solvent or the aromatic vinyl
20 monomer onto the volatile components not being condensed in
19
the first condenser and being transferred to the second
condenser, the flow rate of the organic solvent or the
aromatic vinyl monomer may be 10 to 100 kg/hr, preferably 15
to 90 kg/hr. In this case, condensation efficiency may be
5 improved, thereby significantly reducing the amount of the
volatile components discharged.
[56]
[57] For example, in the step of spraying the organic
solvent onto the volatile components being transferred to
10 the first condenser after being separated in the
volatilization tank, the organic solvent may be sprayed at a
temperature of -10 to 40 °C, preferably 0 to 30 °C, more
preferably 15 to 25 °C. Within this range, condensation
efficiency may be improved.
15 [58] In the present invention, the temperature of the
organic solvent sprayed to the first condenser is not
particularly limited.
[59]
[60] For example, in the step of spraying the organic
20 solvent or the aromatic vinyl monomer onto the volatile
20
components not being condensed in the first condenser and
being transferred to the second condenser, the organic
solvent or the aromatic vinyl monomer may be sprayed at a
flow rate of 10 to 200 kg/hr or 10 to 110 kg/hr, preferably
5 10 to 90 kg/hr, more preferably 10 to 40 kg/hr. In this
case, the content of residual vinyl cyanide monomers having
low boiling points contained in the volatile components may
be reduced, thereby improving condensation efficiency.
[61]
10 [62] In the present invention, flow rates may be
measured using a flow meter or calculated by a mass balance
equation. According to the mass balance equation, the flow
rate of uncondensed volatile components may be calculated
using an input, an output, and a recovered amount.
15 [63]
[64] For example, in the step of spraying the organic
solvent or the aromatic vinyl monomer onto the volatile
components not being condensed in the first condenser and
being transferred to the second condenser, the organic
20 solvent or the aromatic vinyl monomer may be sprayed at a
21
temperature of -10 to 40 °C, preferably 0 to 30 °C, more
preferably 15 to 25 °C. Within this range, condensation
efficiency may be improved.
[65] In the present invention, the temperature of the
5 organic solvent or the aromatic vinyl monomer sprayed to the
second condenser is not particularly limited.
[66]
[67]
[68] For example, condensation in the first condenser
10 may be performed at a refrigerant temperature of 20 to 35 °C
under an operating pressure of 3 to 100 Torr, preferably at
a refrigerant temperature of 25 to 33 °C under an operating
pressure of 15 to 35 Torr, more preferably at a refrigerant
temperature of 25 to 30 °C under an operating pressure of 15
15 to 30 Torr. Within this range, condensation efficiency may
be improved.
[69] In the present invention, the operating pressure
refers to the internal pressure of the condenser formed when
the condenser is operated.
20 [70] For example, condensation in the second condenser
22
may be performed at a refrigerant temperature of -3 to 4 °C
under an operating pressure of 5 to 50 Torr, preferably at a
refrigerant temperature of -1 to 4 °C under an operating
pressure of 7 to 25 Torr, more preferably at a refrigerant
5 temperature of 0 to 4 °C under an operating pressure of 10
to 20 Torr. Within this range, condensation efficiency may
be improved.
[71]
[72] For example, condensates condensed in the first and
10 second condensers may be recovered, purified, and
reintroduced into a reactor. In this case, raw material
costs may be reduced.
[73]
[74] For example, the volatile components not condensed
15 in the second condenser may be transferred to a vacuum unit,
dissolved in a circulating fluid of a water-cooled pump, and
discharged through a wastewater treatment process. In this
process, some of the volatile components may be released
into the atmosphere. According to the present invention,
20 the amount of the volatile components released into the
23
atmosphere may be significantly reduced, and environmental
pollution may be prevented.
[75]
[76] For example, the organic solvent may include one or
5 more selected from the group consisting of toluene,
ethylbenzene, xylene, methylethylketone, and isobutylmethyl
ketone. Preferably, the organic solvent used in the
polymerization reaction and the organic solvent to be
sprayed are the same. In this case, components having high
10 boiling points may be added to the volatile components, and
as a result, the ratio of components having low boiling
points, i.e., residual vinyl cyanide monomers, contained in
the volatile components may be reduced, thereby improving
condensation efficiency.
15 [77]
[78] For example, the aromatic vinyl compound may
include one or more selected from the group consisting of
styrene, α-methyl styrene, p-methyl styrene, p-bromostyrene,
p-chlorostyrene, and o-bromostyrene. In this case, the
20 ratio of residual vinyl cyanide monomers having low boiling
24
points contained in the volatile components may be reduced,
thereby improving condensation efficiency.
[79]
[80] The apparatus for preparing the aromatic vinyl
5 compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer according to the
present invention includes a volatilization tank for
separating volatile components from a polymerization product
containing an aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound
polymer, a residual aromatic vinyl monomer, a residual vinyl
10 cyanide monomer, and an organic solvent; and one condenser
or two or more condensers connected in series for condensing
the separated volatile components, wherein the apparatus
includes a spray means for spraying an organic solvent into
a transfer pipe for transferring the separated volatile
15 components to the condenser; or a spray means for spraying
an organic solvent or an aromatic vinyl monomer into a
transfer pipe for transferring the volatile components,
which have not been condensed in a first condenser, to a
second condenser, when the two or more condensers connected
20 in series are included. According to the present invention,
25
condensation efficiency may be improved, and the amount of
volatile components released after condensation may be
negligible.
[81] In the present invention, means configured to be
5 connected to the transfer pipe and capable of spraying the
organic solvent or the aromatic vinyl monomer into the
transfer pipe may be used as the spray means of the present
invention without particular limitation. For example, a
spray pipe, a spray bottle, and the like may be used as the
10 spray means, and the spray means may be provided with a
spray nozzle.
[82]
[83] For example, the apparatus for preparing an
aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer
15 according to the present invention includes a volatilization
tank for separating volatile components from a
polymerization product containing an aromatic vinyl
compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer, a residual aromatic
vinyl monomer, a residual vinyl cyanide monomer, and an
20 organic solvent; and two or more condensers connected in
26
series for condensing the separated volatile components,
wherein the apparatus includes a spray pipe for spraying an
organic solvent into a transfer pipe for transferring the
separated volatile components to a first condenser; or a
5 spray pipe for spraying an organic solvent or an aromatic
vinyl monomer into a transfer pipe for transferring the
volatile components, which have not been condensed in the
first condenser, to a second condenser. In this case,
condensation efficiency may be improved, and the amount of
10 the volatile components released after condensation may be
negligible.
[84]
[85] For example, the apparatus for preparing an
aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer may
15 include a spray pipe for spraying an organic solvent into a
transfer pipe for transferring the separated volatile
components to a first condenser; and a spray pipe for
spraying an organic solvent or an aromatic vinyl monomer
into a transfer pipe for transferring the volatile
20 components, which have not been condensed in the first
27
condenser, to a second condenser. In this case,
condensation efficiency may be improved, and the amount of
the volatile components released after condensation in the
second condenser may be negligible.
5 [86]
[87] For example, the spray pipe may include a nozzle.
[88] In the present invention, nozzles commonly used in
the art to which the present invention pertains may be used
as the nozzle of the present invention without particular
10 limitation.
[89]
[90] The volatilization tank and the condenser included
in the apparatus for preparing an aromatic vinyl compoundvinyl cyanide compound polymer follow the above description,
15 and thus description thereof will be omitted.
[91]
[92] The method of preparing an aromatic vinyl compoundvinyl cyanide compound polymer and the apparatus for
preparing the same according to the present invention will
20 be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Embodiments
28
of the present invention disclosed in the present
specification and drawings are only provided to aid in
understanding of the present invention, and the present
invention is not limited to the embodiments. In addition,
5 only means necessary for describing the present invention
are described, and other obvious means for carrying out the
method and apparatus are omitted in the drawings.
[93]
[94] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a volatilization
10 tank (DV), a first condenser (1st CN), a second condenser
(2nd CN), a vacuum unit, a transfer pipe, and a spray pipe,
which are used in Examples 1 to 21 according to the present
invention, and shows the apparatus of the present invention
including a volatilization tank for separating volatile
15 components from a polymerization product containing an
aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer, a
residual aromatic vinyl monomer, a residual vinyl cyanide
monomer, and an organic solvent, wherein the apparatus
includes a spray pipe for spraying an organic solvent into a
20 transfer pipe for transferring the separated volatile
29
components to a first condenser; or a spray pipe for
spraying an organic solvent or an aromatic vinyl monomer
into a transfer pipe for transferring the volatile
components, which have not been condensed in the first
5 condenser, to a second condenser.
[95] In addition, the volatile components not condensed
in the second condenser may be transferred to a vacuum unit
and dissolved in a circulating fluid of a water-cooled pump.
Then, the dissolved volatile components may be discharged to
10 the outside through a wastewater treatment process or to the
atmosphere.
[96] Although not shown in the drawing, condensates
condensed in the first and second condensers may be
reintroduced into a reactor.
15 [97]
[98] In addition, FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a
volatilization tank (DV), a first condenser (1st CN), a
second condenser (2nd CN), and a vacuum unit, which are used
in Comparative Examples 1, 8, and 12. Referring to FIG. 2,
20 in the volatilization tank, volatile components are
30
separated from a polymerization product containing an
aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer, a
residual aromatic vinyl monomer, and an organic solvent.
The separated volatile components are condensed in the first
5 and second condensers. In this case, the volatile
components not condensed in the second condenser are
transferred to a vacuum unit, compressed by a pump, and
dissolved in a circulating fluid of a water-cooled pump.
Then, the dissolved volatile components are discharged to
10 the outside through a wastewater treatment process or to the
atmosphere.
[99] Although not shown in the drawing, condensates
condensed in the first and second condensers may be
reintroduced into a reactor.
15 [100]
[101] Hereinafter, the present invention will be
described in more detail with reference to the following
preferred examples. However, these examples are provided
for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed
20 as limiting the scope and spirit of the present invention.
31
In addition, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that various changes and modifications may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention,
and such changes and modifications are also within the scope
5 of the appended claims.
[102]
[103] [Examples]
[104] Conditions for each step are shown in Tables 1 to 5
below.
10 [105]
[106] Volatile component separation step
[107] * Separation Conditions A: Separation was performed
at a temperature of 230 °C under a pressure of 20 Torr. In
this case, volatile components separated in a volatilization
15 tank included 55.8 % by weight of a styrene monomer, 7.25 %
by weight of an acrylonitrile monomer, and 37 % by weight of
toluene.
[108] * Separation Conditions B: Separation was performed
at a temperature of 250 °C under a pressure of 30 Torr. In
20 this case, volatile components separated in a volatilization
32
tank included 68.2 % by weight of a styrene monomer, 23.7 %
by weight of an acrylonitrile monomer, and 9.1 % by weight
of toluene.
[109] * Separation Conditions C: Separation was performed
5 at a temperature of 240 °C under a pressure of 20 Torr. In
this case, volatile components separated in a volatilization
tank included 62 % by weight of a styrene monomer, 15 % by
weight of an acrylonitrile monomer, and 23 % by weight of
toluene.
10 [110]
[111] Condensation step
[112] * Condensation Conditions A: In the first condenser,
condensation was performed at a refrigerant temperature of
30 °C under a pressure of 20 Torr. In the second condenser,
15 condensation was performed at a refrigerant temperature of
2 °C under a pressure of 10 Torr.
[113] * Condensation Conditions B: In the first condenser,
condensation was performed at a refrigerant temperature of
30 °C under a pressure of 30 Torr. In the second condenser,
20 condensation was performed at a refrigerant temperature of
33
2 °C under a pressure of 20 Torr.
[114] * Condensation Conditions C: In the first condenser,
condensation was performed at a refrigerant temperature of
25 °C under a pressure of 15 Torr. In the second condenser,
5 condensation was performed at a refrigerant temperature of -
1 °C under a pressure of 10 Torr.
[115]
[116] * Spray substances: Toluene is represented by "1";
styrene is represented by "2"; α-methyl styrene is
10 represented by "3"; acrylonitrile is represented by "4"; and
methacrylonitrile is represented by "5".
[117]
[118] Example 1
[119] Volatile components were separated according to
15 Separation Conditions A. Then, the separated volatile
components were condensed in a first condenser according to
Condensation Conditions A, and then uncondensed volatile
components were transferred to a second condenser and
condensed therein. At this time, toluene was sprayed at a
20 flow rate of 45 kg/hr onto the volatile components being
34
transferred to the first condenser after separation in the
volatilization tank, and no spray was performed on the
volatile components not being condensed in the first
condenser and being transferred to the second condenser.
5 [120]
[121] Example 2
[122] Volatile components were separated according to
Separation Conditions A. Then, the separated volatile
components were condensed in a first condenser according to
10 Condensation Conditions A, and then uncondensed volatile
components were transferred to a second condenser and
condensed therein. At this time, no spray was performed on
the volatile components being transferred to the first
condenser after separation in the volatilization tank, and
15 styrene was sprayed at a flow rate of 30 kg/hr onto the
volatile components not being condensed in the first
condenser and being transferred to the second condenser.
[123]
[124] Example 3
20 [125] Volatile components were separated according to
35
Separation Conditions A. Then, the separated volatile
components were condensed in a first condenser according to
Condensation Conditions A, and then uncondensed volatile
components were transferred to a second condenser and
5 condensed therein. At this time, no spray was performed on
the volatile components being transferred to the first
condenser after separation in the volatilization tank, and
α-methyl styrene was sprayed at a flow rate of 30 kg/hr onto
the volatile components not being condensed in the first
10 condenser and being transferred to the second condenser.
[126]
[127]
[128] Example 4
[129] Volatile components were separated according to
15 Separation Conditions A. Then, the separated volatile
components were condensed in a first condenser according to
Condensation Conditions A, and then uncondensed volatile
components were transferred to a second condenser and
condensed therein. At this time, no spray was performed on
20 the volatile components being transferred to the first
36
condenser after separation in the volatilization tank, and
toluene was sprayed at a flow rate of 80 kg/hr onto the
volatile components not being condensed in the first
condenser and being transferred to the second condenser.
5 [130]
[131]
[132] Example 5
[133] Volatile components were separated according to
Separation Conditions A. Then, the separated volatile
10 components were condensed in a first condenser according to
Condensation Conditions A, and then uncondensed volatile
components were transferred to a second condenser and
condensed therein. At this time, toluene was sprayed at a
flow rate of 20 kg/hr onto the volatile components being
15 transferred to the first condenser after separation in the
volatilization tank, and styrene was sprayed at a flow rate
of 15 kg/hr onto the volatile components not being condensed
in the first condenser and being transferred to the second
condenser.
20 [134]
37
[135]
[136] Examples 6 to 21
[137] According to separation conditions and condensation
conditions shown in Tables 1 to 3 below, volatile components
5 were separated and condensed, and the spray substances were
sprayed onto the volatile components.
[138]
[139] Comparative Example 1
[140] The same procedure as Example 1 was performed
10 except that toluene was not sprayed onto the volatile
components being transferred to the first condenser after
separation in the volatilization tank.
[141]
[142] Comparative Examples 2 to 16
15 [143] According to separation conditions and condensation
conditions shown in Tables 4 and 5 below, volatile
components were separated and condensed, and the spray
substances were sprayed onto the volatile components.
[144]
20 [145] [Test Example]
38
[146] In Examples 1 to 21 and Comparative Examples 1 to
16, the flow rate of the volatile components not condensed
in the second condenser and discharged therefrom was
measured using a flow meter installed between the second
5 condenser and the vacuum unit, and the results are shown in
Tables 1 to 5 below.
[147] In addition, in Examples 1 to 14 and Comparative
Examples 1 to 16, the vinyl cyanide monomer not condensed in
the first condenser and transferred to the second condenser
10 was sampled from the pipe disposed between the first
condenser and the second condenser, and the content of the
sampled vinyl cyanide monomer was quantified by gas
chromatography. The results are shown in Tables 1 to 5
below.[154] As shown in Tables 1 to 5, in the case of Examples
1 to 21 according to the present invention, the amount of
the volatile components not condensed in the second
5 condenser and discharged therefrom is negligible.
Accordingly, wastewater treatment costs consumed in treating
43
the discharged volatile components are not required. On the
other hand, in the case of Comparative Examples 1, 8, and 12
according to conventional methods, the amount of the
volatile components not condensed in the second condenser is
5 large, showing the flow rate of 14.8 to 58.0 kg/hr.
[155] In addition, in the case of Comparative Examples 2,
3, 9, 13, and 14, in which the aromatic vinyl monomer was
sprayed into the first condenser, and in the case of
Comparative Examples 4, 5, 10, and 15, in which the vinyl
10 cyanide monomer was sprayed into the first condenser, the
amount of the volatile components not condensed in the
second condenser and discharged therefrom was significantly
increased. Accordingly, costs consumed in treating the
discharged volatile components may be increased.
15 [156] In addition, in the case of Comparative Examples 6,
7, 11, and 16, in which the vinyl cyanide monomer was
sprayed into the second condenser, the amount of the
volatile components not condensed in the second condenser
and discharged therefrom was significantly increased.

【Claim 1】
A method of preparing an aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl
5 cyanide compound polymer, comprising:
separating volatile components from a polymerization
product containing an aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide
compound polymer, residual aromatic vinyl monomer, residual
vinyl cyanide monomer, and an organic solvent using a
10 volatilization tank; and
condensing the separated volatile components using one
condenser or two or more condensers connected in series,
wherein the method comprises spraying an organic
solvent onto the separated volatile components being
15 transferred from the volatilization tank to the condenser;
or
spraying an organic solvent or an aromatic vinyl
monomer onto the volatile components not being condensed in
a first condenser and being transferred to a second
20 condenser when the two or more condensers connected in
45
series are used.
【Claim 2】
The method according to claim 1, wherein the method
5 comprises spraying the organic solvent onto the volatile
components being transferred to the first condenser after
being separated in the volatilization tank; and
spraying the organic solvent or the aromatic vinyl
monomer onto the volatile components not being condensed in
10 the first condenser and being transferred to the second
condenser.
【Claim 3】
The method according to claim 1, wherein the separated
15 volatile components comprise 5 to 35 % by weight of a vinyl
cyanide compound, 45 to 80 % by weight of an aromatic vinyl
compound, and 5 to 50 % by weight of an organic solvent.
【Claim 4】
20 The method according to claim 1, wherein, in the
46
spraying of the organic solvent, the organic solvent is
sprayed at a flow rate of 10 to 200 kg/hr.
【Claim 5】
5 The method according to claim 1, wherein, in the
spraying of the organic solvent, the organic solvent is
sprayed at a temperature of -10 to 40 °C.
【Claim 6】
10 The method according to claim 1, wherein, in the
spraying of the organic solvent or the aromatic vinyl
monomer, the organic solvent or the aromatic vinyl monomer
is sprayed at a flow rate of 10 to 220 kg/hr.
15 【Claim 7】
The method according to claim 1, wherein, in the
spraying of the organic solvent or the aromatic vinyl
monomer onto the volatile components not being condensed in
the first condenser and being transferred to the second
20 condenser, the organic solvent or the aromatic vinyl monomer
47
is sprayed at a temperature of -10 to 40 °C.
【Claim 8】
The method according to claim 1, wherein condensation
5 in the first condenser is performed at a refrigerant
temperature of 20 to 35 °C under an operating pressure of 3
to 100 Torr.
【Claim 9】
10 The method according to claim 1, wherein condensation
in the second condenser is performed at a refrigerant
temperature of -3 to 4 °C under an operating pressure of 5
to 50 Torr.
15 【Claim 10】
The method according to claim 1, wherein the
separating is performed at a temperature of 220 to 260 °C
under a pressure of 35 Torr or less.
20 【Claim 11】
48
The method according to claim 1, wherein condensates
condensed in the first and second condensers are recovered,
purified, and reintroduced into a reactor.
5 【Claim 12】
An apparatus for preparing an aromatic vinyl compoundvinyl cyanide compound polymer, comprising:
a volatilization tank for separating volatile
components from a polymerization product containing an
10 aromatic vinyl compound-vinyl cyanide compound polymer,
residual aromatic vinyl monomer, residual vinyl cyanide
monomer, and an organic solvent; and
one condenser or two or more condensers connected in
series for condensing the separated volatile components,
15 wherein the apparatus comprises a spray means for
spraying an organic solvent into a transfer pipe for
transferring the separated volatile components to the
condenser; or
a spray means for spraying an organic solvent or an
20 aromatic vinyl monomer into a transfer pipe for transferring
49
the volatile components, which have not been condensed in a
first condenser, to a second condenser, when the two or more
condensers connected in series are comprised.
5 【Claim 13】
The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the
apparatus comprises a spray pipe for spraying the organic
solvent into the transfer pipe for transferring the
separated volatile components to the first condenser; and
10 a spray pipe for spraying the organic solvent or the
aromatic vinyl monomer into the transfer pipe for
transferring the volatile components, which have not been
condensed in the first condenser, to the second condenser.