WO2012102406A1 - ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粉末の製造方法 - Google Patents
ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粉末の製造方法 Download PDFInfo
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- WO2012102406A1 WO2012102406A1 PCT/JP2012/052043 JP2012052043W WO2012102406A1 WO 2012102406 A1 WO2012102406 A1 WO 2012102406A1 JP 2012052043 W JP2012052043 W JP 2012052043W WO 2012102406 A1 WO2012102406 A1 WO 2012102406A1
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- absorbent resin
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
- B01J20/30—Processes for preparing, regenerating, or reactivating
- B01J20/3085—Chemical treatments not covered by groups B01J20/3007 - B01J20/3078
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
- B01J20/22—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising organic material
- B01J20/26—Synthetic macromolecular compounds
- B01J20/265—Synthetic macromolecular compounds modified or post-treated polymers
- B01J20/267—Cross-linked polymers
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B01J20/00—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof
- B01J20/28—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
- B01J20/28054—Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositions; Sorbents for chromatography; Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties characterised by their surface properties or porosity
- B01J20/28078—Pore diameter
- B01J20/28085—Pore diameter being more than 50 nm, i.e. macropores
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
- C08J3/00—Processes of treating or compounding macromolecular substances
- C08J3/24—Crosslinking, e.g. vulcanising, of macromolecules
- C08J3/245—Differential crosslinking of one polymer with one crosslinking type, e.g. surface crosslinking
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B01J2220/00—Aspects relating to sorbent materials
- B01J2220/50—Aspects relating to the use of sorbent or filter aid materials
- B01J2220/68—Superabsorbents
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
- C08J2333/00—Characterised by the use of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and only one being terminated by only one carboxyl radical, or of salts, anhydrides, esters, amides, imides, or nitriles thereof; Derivatives of such polymers
- C08J2333/02—Homopolymers or copolymers of acids; Metal or ammonium salts thereof
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method for producing a polyacrylic acid (salt) water-absorbing resin powder. More specifically, the present invention relates to a polyacrylic acid (salt) -based water-absorbing resin powder having a low residual raw material (particularly a surface cross-linking agent or a by-product thereof) and high physical properties and a method for stably and continuously producing the same.
- Non-patent Document 1 A method for producing a water absorbent resin including such steps is disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 14 and the like.
- the water-absorbent resin has many physical properties (for example, water absorption capacity, water absorption capacity under pressure, water absorption speed, liquid permeability, gel stability, etc.) according to its intended use (for example, paper diapers, sanitary napkins, etc.). Are being produced as controlled. However, in large-scale continuous production of water-absorbent resins, it is difficult to improve productivity, improve physical properties, and stabilize physical properties. Even if there is a slight fluctuation in physical properties, the physical properties of the final product (for example, paper diapers, etc.) may be reduced. May cause a complaint.
- physical properties for example, water absorption capacity, water absorption capacity under pressure, water absorption speed, liquid permeability, gel stability, etc.
- Patent Document 15 discloses a technique for removing and remixing the water-absorbing resin having physical properties that are off the top and bottom.
- Patent Documents 16 and 17 disclose a technique of using a plurality of hoppers in an intermediate process or a polymerization process.
- Patent Document 17 discloses a technique in which the polymerization is performed in two lines and the latter half in one line.
- Patent Document 19 discloses a technique in which at least any one step after the drying step is made to be two or more series with respect to one series of polymerization steps for improving or stabilizing physical properties.
- the surface cross-linking process is an important process for improving and stabilizing physical properties and reducing manufacturing troubles, and many improved techniques have been proposed.
- Patent Document 24 oxazoline compounds
- Patent Document 25 vinyl ether compounds
- Patent Document 26 epoxy compounds
- Patent Document 27 oxetane compounds
- Patent Document 27 polyhydric alcohol compounds
- Patent Documents 29 and 30 polyamide polyamine-epihalo adduct
- Patent Document 31 hydroxyacrylamide compound
- Patent Document 32 oxazolidinone compound
- Patent Document 33 bis or poly-oxazolidinone compound
- Patent Document 34 2-oxotetrahydro A 1,3-oxazolidine compound
- Patent Document 35 an alkylene carbonate compound
- Patent Document 36 a polyvalent alkylene carbonate compound
- Patent Document 37 a surface cross-linking method in which volatile alcohol and residual ethylene glycol after surface cross-linking, particularly after surface cross-linking with an alkylene carbonate compound is reduced has also been proposed.
- Patent Document 38 a technique for polymerizing monomers to crosslink the surface
- Patent Documents 39 and 40 a technique for radical crosslinking with persulfate
- Patent Documents 39 and 40 a technique of using an additive in combination with the surface cross-linking agent
- a water-soluble cation such as an aluminum salt (Patent Documents 41 and 42), an alkali (Patent Document 43), an organic acid or an inorganic acid (Patent) Document 44) is known.
- the main application of the water-absorbent resin is sanitary materials such as paper diapers and sanitary napkins, and it is important to reduce the remaining raw materials (especially surface treatment agents) and by-products.
- the surface cross-linking agent in the production process It was necessary to make handling easier and to reduce the residual ethylene glycol to be replicated.
- the production process is simplified and stabilized, and further by-products (for example, volatile alcohol and residual ethylene described in Patent Document 37). The problem of glycol) has become more important.
- the method of the present invention is suitably applied to non-polymeric organic compounds that are solid at room temperature (particularly surface crosslinking with alkylene carbonate compounds and reduction of residual ethylene glycol) in the method for producing a water-absorbent resin.
- the present inventors paid attention to the handling property of the modifier (non-polymer organic compound) added to the water-absorbent resin, and the non-polymer organic compound, particularly the surface cross-linking agent, Heating, especially heating and melting the alkylene carbonate, can greatly improve workability, and there is no effect on fluidity due to temperature fluctuations, and high productivity and high productivity of water-absorbent resin with low impurities (especially residual ethylene glycol) Thus, the present invention has been completed. Furthermore, it has been found that such a method can stably provide a water-absorbing resin having a high liquid permeability and a high water absorption speed, and has completed the present invention.
- the present inventors are due to subtle fluctuations in the concentration and ratio of the modifier mixture to be mixed with the water-absorbent resin, in particular, the surface cross-linking agent aqueous solution, which is one cause of the fluctuation and decrease in the physical properties of the water-absorbent resin. It was found that it originated from subtle fluctuations in the concentration and ratio of the modifier mixture, especially the surface cross-linking agent aqueous solution, due to temperature changes from day to season.
- one cause of the fluctuations in the properties of the water-absorbent resin is that the organic compound and water used for the additive (the water-absorbing resin modifier, especially the surface cross-linking agent) to the water-absorbent resin powder.
- the problem was solved by using a specific flow meter when mixing at a predetermined ratio.
- a method for producing a water-absorbent resin is a non-polymer organic compound (particularly a surface treatment agent, particularly an alkylene, which is a raw material (modified raw material) of the water-absorbent resin. After the carbonate compound) is stored in a heated state, the non-polymer organic compound and one or more other compounds (especially water, or even water or a polyhydric alcohol) are mixed in a predetermined ratio, and the water-absorbent resin is further mixed.
- a method for producing a polyacrylic acid (salt) water-absorbing resin to be mixed is provided.
- a method for producing a water-absorbent resin is a mixture of a non-polymeric organic compound controlled to a predetermined ratio with a mass flow meter and one or more of other compounds. Is mixed with polyacrylic acid (salt) water-absorbing resin particles, and a method for producing a polyacrylic acid (salt) -based water absorbent resin powder is provided.
- the first method, the second method, and the following third method may be carried out separately, more preferably any two types are combined, and more preferably all are combined. .
- a method for producing a polyacrylic acid (salt) water-absorbing resin powder containing a predetermined amount of ethylene glycol, a polyhydric alcohol other than ethylene glycol, and an ionic crosslinking agent is provided.
- the polyacrylic acid is characterized by being mixed in a predetermined ratio with one or more of the non-polymer organic compound in a heated and melted state and another compound, and further mixed into a polyacrylic acid (salt) -based water absorbent resin powder.
- a method for producing a (salt) water-absorbent resin powder (third method) is provided.
- Water absorption capacity (AAP) with respect to sodium aqueous solution is 20 [g / g]
- Non-pressurized water absorption capacity (CRC) is 25 [g / g] or more
- the 69 wt% saline flow conductivity (SFC) also provides a polyacrylic acid (salt) -based water-absorbing resin of 1 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g ⁇ 1 ] or more.
- reaction time can be shortened or the reaction temperature can be reduced.
- Living organisms ethylene glycol
- the reaction time can be shortened or the reaction temperature can be reduced, the decomposition of ⁇ -hydroxypropanoic acid in the water-absorbent resin is little, and as a result, the residual monomer can be reduced.
- ethylene glycol derived from ethylene carbonate, polyhydric alcohol other than ethylene glycol, ionic crosslinking By using in combination three types of polyhydric alcohol other than ethylene glycol, ethylene carbonate and ionic crosslinking agent for surface crosslinking, “ethylene glycol derived from ethylene carbonate, polyhydric alcohol other than ethylene glycol, ionic crosslinking”
- the present invention provides a novel water-absorbent resin containing a predetermined amount of an agent, which is excellent in transportability and physical properties (particularly liquid permeability and water absorption capacity under pressure) of such powder, and is suitable for sanitary materials.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an apparatus used in a continuous temperature raising method by heating an acrylic acid monomer aqueous solution to which the method of the present invention is applied.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating closed cells (Closed-Cell) and open cells (Open-Cell) in the water-absorbent resin powder.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an operation for finely pulverizing a water-absorbent resin powder (for example, the ratio of the particle size of 850 to 150 ⁇ m is 95% by weight or more) for measuring the true density of the present invention to less than 45 ⁇ m. is there.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an apparatus used in a continuous temperature raising method by heating an acrylic acid monomer aqueous solution to which the method of the present invention is applied.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating closed cells (Closed-Cell) and open cells (Open-C
- FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of a method of raising temperature and generating bubbles by neutralization of an aqueous acrylic acid monomer solution to which the method of the present invention is applied.
- FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing an outline of a method of raising temperature and generating bubbles by neutralization of an acrylic acid monomer aqueous solution in the presence of a surfactant.
- FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention that can be applied to the method of the present invention.
- the polymerization of the aqueous monomer solution with an inert gas for example, nitrogen
- FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of mixing the non-polymeric organic compound with another compound.
- FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an outline of the periphery of a storage tank equipped with a jacket-type heating facility that can be used in the embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing an outline of the periphery of a storage tank including a multi-tubular heat exchanger (heating device) provided outside, which can be used in the embodiment of the present invention.
- Water absorbent resin The water-absorbing resin in the present invention means a water-swellable water-insoluble polymer gelling agent.
- Water swellability means that the CRC (water absorption capacity under no pressure) specified by ERT441.2-02 is 5 [g / g] or more, and “water-insoluble” means ERT470.
- Ext water soluble content specified in 2-02 is 0 to 50% by weight.
- the water-absorbing resin composition is not limited to the total amount (100% by weight) being a polymer, and may contain additives and the like within the range of maintaining the above performance, and a water-absorbing resin composition containing a small amount of additives. In the present invention, it is generally referred to as a water-absorbing resin, and it does not matter whether or not surface crosslinking is present.
- the water-absorbent resin may be in the form of a sheet, fiber, film, powder, etc.
- the property may be a dry product or a gel product, preferably a powder, and particularly preferably a particle size and water content described below.
- the powdery water-absorbing resin is good and is referred to as water-absorbing resin powder.
- water-absorbent resin hydrogel or dried product thereof before surface cross-linking
- water-absorbent resin particles or base polymer
- water absorbent resin surface cross-linked
- polyacrylic acid (salt) is a polymer that optionally contains a graft component, and contains, as a repeating unit, acrylic acid and / or a salt thereof (hereinafter referred to as acrylic acid (salt)) as a main component.
- acrylic acid (salt) a polymer containing 50 to 100 mol% of acrylic acid (salt) among total monomers (excluding the crosslinking agent) used in the polymerization, preferably 70 to 100 mol%, more preferably.
- a water-absorbing resin containing 90 to 100 mol%, particularly preferably substantially 100 mol%.
- CRC is an abbreviation for Centrifugation Retention Capacity (centrifuge retention capacity) and means water absorption capacity without pressure (hereinafter also referred to as “water absorption capacity”). Specifically, after 0.200 g of the water-absorbing resin in the nonwoven fabric was freely swollen for 30 minutes in a large excess of 0.9 wt% aqueous sodium chloride solution, the water absorption capacity after further draining with a centrifuge ( Unit; [g / g]).
- AAP is an abbreviation for Absorption against Pressure, which means water absorption capacity under pressure. Specifically, the water absorption capacity (unit; unit) after 0.900 g of the water absorbent resin was swollen under a load of 2.06 kPa (0.3 psi) for 1 hour with a 0.9 wt% sodium chloride aqueous solution. [G / g]). In ERT442.2-02, “Absorption Under Pressure” is described, but the contents are substantially the same. Further, the load condition may be changed to 4.83 kPa (0.7 psi) for measurement.
- Extractables is an abbreviation for Extractables and means a water-soluble component (water-soluble component amount). Specifically, it is a value (unit:% by weight) measured by pH titration after stirring 1.000 g of water absorbent resin for 16 hours with respect to 200 g of 0.9 wt% sodium chloride aqueous solution. .
- PSD is an abbreviation for Particle Size Distribution and means a particle size distribution measured by sieve classification.
- the weight average particle size (D50) and the particle size distribution width are measured by the same method as “(1) Average Particle Diameter and Distribution of Particle Diameter” described in US Pat. No. 2006-204755.
- liquid permeability The flowability of the liquid flowing between the particles of the swollen water-absorbent resin under load or no load is referred to as “liquid permeability”.
- Typical measurement methods for this “liquid permeability” include SFC (Saline Flow Conductivity / Saline Flow Inductivity) and GBP (Gel Bed Permeability / Gel Bed Permeability).
- SFC saline flow inductivity
- GBP liquid permeability of a 0.69 wt% sodium chloride aqueous solution to the water absorbent resin under load or free expansion. It is measured according to the GBP test method described in International Publication No. 2005/016393 pamphlet.
- X to Y indicating a range means “X or more and Y or less”.
- t (ton) which is a unit of weight means “Metric ton”, and “ppm” means “ppm by weight” unless otherwise noted.
- weight and “mass”, “wt%” and “mass%”, “part by weight” and “part by mass” are treated as synonyms.
- ⁇ acid (salt) means “ ⁇ acid and / or salt thereof”
- (meth) acryl means “acryl and / or methacryl”.
- it is measured at room temperature (20 to 25 ° C.) and relative humidity 40 to 50% RH.
- [2] Production method of polyacrylic acid (salt) water-absorbent resin powder (general)
- [2] describes the method for producing the water-absorbent resin powder of the present invention, in particular, the whole thereof, and [3], particularly the characteristic part (non-polymer) of the first, second and third production methods. Heating of organic compounds, mass flowmeters, non-polymeric organic compounds in a heated and melted state) will be described.
- acrylic acid (salt) monomer aqueous solution means an acrylic acid (salt) monomer as a main component.
- a monomer which is prepared with components constituting the water-absorbent resin powder such as a crosslinking agent, a graft component and a trace component (a chelating agent, a surfactant, a dispersing agent, etc.) if necessary.
- the polymerization initiator is added as it is to be subjected to polymerization.
- the acrylic acid (salt) used in the acrylic acid (salt) monomer aqueous solution may be unneutralized or salt type (completely neutralized type or partially neutralized type).
- the acrylic acid (salt) monomer aqueous solution is not only an aqueous solution in which all solute components are completely dissolved, but also an aqueous dispersion and / or a solute component in which some solute components are dispersed without being dissolved.
- the state of the aqueous dispersion in which the part is not dissolved is also included.
- at least the concentration of acrylic acid (salt) is not more than a saturated concentration.
- the solvent of the monomer aqueous solution is preferably water as a main component.
- the main component of the solvent is water” means that 100% by weight of the solvent is not limited to water, and a water-soluble organic solvent (for example, alcohol) is 0 to 30% by weight, preferably 0 to 5%. In the present invention, these are treated as an aqueous solution.
- the acrylic acid (salt) monomer of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it becomes a water-absorbing resin by polymerization.
- the content (amount of use) of the acrylic acid (salt) monomer is usually 50 mol% or more, preferably 70 mol% or more, more preferably based on the whole monomer (excluding the internal crosslinking agent). Is 80 mol% or more, more preferably 90 mol% or more, particularly preferably 95 mol% or more (the upper limit is 100 mol%).
- polyacrylic acid (salt) is not limited to non-neutralization (neutralization rate of 0 mol%), but is a concept including partial neutralization or complete neutralization (neutralization rate of 100 mol%).
- the neutralization rate of the acrylic acid (salt) monomer or the hydrogel crosslinked polymer after polymerization is not particularly limited, but the properties of the resulting water-absorbent resin powder and the reactivity of the surface crosslinking agent are not limited. From the viewpoint, 40 to 90 mol% is preferable, 50 to 80 mol% is more preferable, and 60 to 74 mol% is still more preferable.
- the neutralization rate When the neutralization rate is low, the water absorption rate (for example, FSR) tends to decrease. Conversely, when the neutralization rate is high, polyacrylic acid (salt) water-absorbing resin powder and a surface cross-linking agent, particularly those described later. Since the reactivity with a dehydration-reactive surface cross-linking agent, and further alkylene carbonate, tends to decrease productivity, liquid permeability (for example, SFC) and water absorption capacity under pressure (for example, AAP), A neutralization rate within the above range is preferred. In applications that may come into contact with the human body, such as paper diapers, neutralization after polymerization is not required.
- SFC surface cross-linking agent
- AAP water absorption capacity under pressure
- acrylic acid (salt) monomer or a hydrogel crosslinked polymer after polymerization is A part or all of them may be in a salt form, and monovalent salts such as sodium salt, lithium salt, potassium salt, ammonium salt and amines are preferred, alkali metal salt is more preferred, and sodium salt and / or potassium salt is more preferred. From the viewpoint of cost and physical properties, sodium salt is particularly preferable.
- the acrylic acid (salt) monomer preferably contains a polymerization inhibitor.
- the polymerization inhibitor is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include N-oxyl compounds, manganese compounds, and substituted phenol compounds disclosed in International Publication No. 2008/096713. Of these, substituted phenols are preferred, and methoxyphenols are particularly preferred.
- methoxyphenol examples include o, m, p-methoxyphenol, and methoxyphenol having one or more substituents such as a methyl group, a t-butyl group, and a hydroxyl group.
- p-methoxyphenol is particularly preferred.
- the content of methoxyphenols in the acrylic acid (salt) monomer is preferably 10 to 200 ppm, and in the following order, preferably 5 to 160 ppm, 10 to 160 ppm, 10 to 100 ppm, and 10 to 80 ppm. ⁇ 70 ppm is most preferred.
- the color of the resulting water-absorbent resin powder may be deteriorated (coloring such as yellowing or yellowing), which is not preferable.
- the content is less than 5 ppm, that is, when p-methoxyphenol is removed by purification such as distillation, there is a high risk of polymerization occurring before intentional polymerization is started, and water absorption obtained Since the weather resistance of resin powder falls, it is not preferable.
- the “weather resistance” is defined in the examples (and (5-14) described later) of International Publication No. 2011/040530 pamphlet, and refers to the absolute amount of water-soluble matter increased by light. Good, the smaller the value, the better.
- Acrylic acid (salt) -based monomers are prototypically used for raw material acrylic acid (salt) and further for acrylic acid (salt) in the prepared monomer aqueous solution from the viewpoint of improving physical properties and reducing residual monomers.
- Anemonin, allyl acrylate and furfural are each preferably 0 to 10 ppm, more preferably 0 to 5 ppm, particularly ND (below the detection limit).
- acrylic acid dimer and ⁇ -hydroxypropionic acid are also preferably set to 0 to 1000 ppm, 0 to 500 ppm, and 0 to 200 ppm, respectively. .
- the acrylic acid dimer can be removed by crystallization or distillation and is preferably used for a short time, for example, within 24 hours after purification.
- ⁇ -hydroxypropionic acid can be controlled to a low level by neutralization at a low temperature (eg, 70 ° C. or lower, more preferably 50 ° C. or lower).
- an internal cross-linking agent is used as necessary in the polymerization.
- the internal cross-linking agent known ones can be used. For example, N, N′-methylenebis (meth) acrylamide, (poly) ethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, (poly) propylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, trimethyl Roll propane tri (meth) acrylate, glycerin tri (meth) acrylate, glycerin acrylate methacrylate, ethylene oxide modified trimethylolpropane tri (meth) acrylate, pentaerythritol hexa (meth) acrylate, triallyl cyanurate, triallyl isocyanurate, tri Allyl phosphate, triallylamine, poly (meth) allyloxyalkane, (poly) ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, glycerol diglycidyl ether, ethylene
- the amount of the internal cross-linking agent used can be appropriately determined depending on the desired properties of the water-absorbent resin powder, but is preferably 0.001 to 5 mol%, based on the total acrylic acid (salt) monomer. 005 to 2 mol% is more preferable, and 0.01 to 1 mol% is still more preferable. When the amount used is less than 0.001 mol%, the water-soluble resin powder obtained has a large amount of water-soluble components, and the amount of water absorption under pressure cannot be secured sufficiently. On the other hand, when the amount used exceeds 5 mol%, the crosslink density of the resulting water-absorbent resin powder becomes high and the amount of water absorption becomes insufficient.
- the internal cross-linking agent may be added in total to the acrylic acid (salt) monomer, or a part thereof may be added to the hydrogel during polymerization or before drying after polymerization.
- a surfactant or a dispersant may optionally be added after the monomer aqueous solution and / or the monomer aqueous solution at the time of polymerization and / or after the polymerization.
- a surfactant and / or a dispersant is added to the acrylic acid (salt) monomer aqueous solution during preparation or after preparation before the polymerization step. It is preferable to add and stably suspend the generated bubbles, and by appropriately designing the type and amount of the surfactant and / or dispersant, a water-absorbent resin powder having desired physical properties can be obtained.
- the surfactant is preferably a non-polymer compound, and the dispersant is preferably a polymer compound.
- the surface tension of the obtained water absorbent resin powder is 60 [mN / m]. More preferably, it is added to the acrylic acid (salt) monomer aqueous solution so that it falls within the range described in “(4-7) Surface tension” described later. If the surface tension is less than 60 [mN / m], the amount of return tends to increase when using paper diapers, which is not preferable.
- a water-absorbing resin powder or an acrylic acid (salt) monomer and a reactive or polymerizable surfactant such as an unsaturated polymerizable group (particularly ⁇ , ⁇ -Use of a surfactant having an unsaturated double bond) or a reactive group (hydroxyl group, amino group) is preferred, and a hydrophilic surfactant (HLB; 1 to 18, particularly 8 having high solubility in water)
- ⁇ 15 is also preferred.
- the surfactant that can be used is not particularly limited, but the surfactants disclosed in WO 97/017397 and US Pat. No. 6,107,358, that is, nonionic surfactants and anionic surfactants. , Cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and the like. These surfactants may be polymerizable or reactive with acrylic acid (salt) monomers or water-absorbing resin powders.
- nonionic surfactant examples include polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers such as polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene cetyl ether, polyoxyethylene stearyl ether, and polyoxyethylene oleyl ether; Polyoxyalkylene alkyl phenyl ethers such as oxyethylene nonylphenyl ether; polyoxyalkylene alkyl amino ethers such as polyoxyethylene lauryl amino ether and polyoxyethylene stearyl amino ether; sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monostearate Sorbitan fatty acid esters such as sorbitan monooleate; polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaur Polyoxyalkylene sorbitan fatty acid esters such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate; polyethylene glycol monolaurate, polyethylene glycol monooleate, polyethylene glycol
- anionic surfactant examples include sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl ether sulfate, sodium polyoxyethylene octylphenyl ether sulfate, sodium polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether sulfate, triethanolamine lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, and potassium lauryl sulfate.
- sulfate esters such as ammonium lauryl sulfate; sulfonates such as sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, sodium alkylnaphthalenesulfonate and sodium dialkylsulfosuccinate; and phosphate ester salts such as potassium alkylphosphate.
- cationic surfactant examples include quaternary ammonium salts such as lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, and stearyltrimethylammonium chloride.
- silicone surfactants can be exemplified.
- silicone surfactant include anionic, nonionic, and cationic silicone surfactants, and polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone surfactants.
- silicone surfactant include anionic, nonionic, and cationic silicone surfactants, and polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone surfactants.
- silicone surfactant include anionic, nonionic, and cationic silicone surfactants, and polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone surfactants.
- silicone surfactant include anionic, nonionic, and cationic silicone surfactants, and polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone surfactants.
- silicone surfactant include anionic, nonionic, and cationic silicone surfactants, and polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone surfactants.
- polyoxyethylene-modified dimethylpolysiloxane Polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene block or random copolymer-modified dimesyl polysiloxane, dimethylpolysiloxane
- polyoxyethylene-modified dimethylpolysiloxane polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene block or random copolymer-modified dimethylsilsiloxane are preferred, and polyoxyethylene-modified dimethylpolysiloxane is industrially available at low cost. Therefore, it is more preferable.
- surfactants may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof, or may be used in combination with a dispersant described below (particularly a polymer dispersant).
- anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, or silicone surfactants are preferably used from the viewpoint of effects, and nonionic surfactants or silicone surfactants are used. More preferably.
- the amount of the surfactant added during polymerization or after polymerization is appropriately determined according to the type and desired physical properties (especially water absorption rate and surface tension).
- the total amount of the monomer or the water-absorbing resin obtained is preferably more than 0 and less than 2% by weight, more preferably more than 0 and less than 0.03% by weight, still more preferably more than 0 and less than 0.015% by weight. , More than 0 and 0.01% by weight or less, particularly preferably more than 0 and 0.008% by weight or less.
- the addition amount of the surfactant is similarly applied to the water absorbent resin powder.
- the present invention can also be applied to a water-absorbent resin powder as a final product obtained after coating with a surfactant described in “(2-9) Additive adding step” described later.
- a surfactant described in “(2-9) Additive adding step” described later.
- the control of the foaming at the time of a polymerization reaction becomes difficult when the said addition amount exceeds 2 weight%, it is unpreferable.
- the surface tension of the water-absorbent resin powder is excessively lowered, the amount of return increases when used with a paper diaper or the like, which is not preferable.
- a very small amount of surfactant improves the transportability and damage resistance of the resulting water-absorbent resin powder, and as a result, improves the physical properties of the water-absorbent resin powder after surface cross-linking and after powder transport. , Preferably exceeding 0 ppm, particularly preferably in the order of 0.1 ppm or more, further 1 ppm or more, 5 ppm or more, 10 ppm or more.
- the dispersant that can be used is not particularly limited, and a hydrophilic polymer dispersant exhibiting water solubility or water absorption is preferable, and a water soluble polymer dispersant is more preferable.
- the weight average molecular weight is appropriately determined depending on the type of the dispersant, but is preferably 5 to 10 million, more preferably 5000 to 5 million, and particularly preferably 10,000 to 3 million.
- the type of the dispersant is not particularly limited.
- starch, starch derivative, cellulose, cellulose derivative, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), carboxymethyl cellulose (sodium), hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyacrylic acid (salt), polyacrylic acid (Salt) A hydrophilic polymer such as a cross-linked body is exemplified.
- PVA polyvinyl alcohol
- carboxymethyl cellulose (sodium), hydroxyethyl cellulose polyacrylic acid (salt), polyacrylic acid (Salt)
- a hydrophilic polymer such as a cross-linked body is exemplified.
- a water-soluble polymer dispersant selected from starch, cellulose, and PVA is preferable.
- the amount of these dispersants used is preferably more than 0 parts by weight and 50 parts by weight or less with respect to 100 parts by weight of acrylic acid (salt) monomer, and the lower limit is more than 0.001 parts by weight, -20 parts by weight is more preferable, 0.05-10 parts by weight is still more preferable, and 0.1-5 parts by weight is particularly preferable.
- the dispersant may be added separately after the polymerization step.
- the content of the dispersant with respect to the finished water-absorbent resin powder is similarly applied in the above range.
- the amount of the dispersant used exceeds 50 parts by weight, it is difficult to control foaming during the polymerization reaction.
- the water absorption capability etc. of water-absorbent resin powder reduce too much and a return amount increases at the time of use with a paper diaper etc., it is not preferable.
- a water-absorbent resin powder containing internal bubbles is preferably used for surface cross-linking.
- polymerization is carried out by containing a predetermined amount of air bubbles during polymerization, and the internal cell ratio of the obtained water-absorbing resin before surface crosslinking (specified below) is preferably 0.5% or more, 1.0 to 8.0%, 1.3 to 6.7%, 2.8 to 6.6%, preferably 3.0 to 6.5%, more preferably 3.5 to 6.5. %, Particularly preferably 3.8 to 6.5%, most preferably 4.0 to 6.5%.
- the water-absorbing resin after surface crosslinking is also in such a range.
- the internal bubble rate When the internal bubble rate is less than 0.5%, less than 1.0%, or even less than 2.8%, the effect of improving the water absorption rate (FSR) is small, and conversely, the internal bubble rate is 6.6% (particularly 8. If it exceeds 0%), the damage resistance is lowered, and the liquid permeability (SFC) is lowered accordingly.
- the internal content can be appropriately controlled by the bubble content during polymerization, the drying temperature (expansion at a high temperature), and the like.
- the surface of the water-absorbent resin powder is easily hydrophobized due to the dehydration reaction. Since the speed, particularly the initial wettability, may be reduced, it is preferable to control the internal bubble rate. Such hydrophobization is presumed to be because the surface is esterified (hydrophilic carboxylic acid to hydrophobic carboxylic acid ester) by dehydration reaction.
- the internal cell ratio is applied to the water absorbent resin powder before surface cross-linking, and preferably also applied to the water absorbent resin powder after surface cross-linking.
- bubbles may be contained in the monomer aqueous solution at the time of polymerization.
- Solid foaming agents, liquid foaming agents such as hydrophobic or hydrophilic organic solvents having a boiling point lower than the temperature during polymerization, gas foaming agents such as various bubbles (gas compounds dispersed at room temperature in monomers) Is exemplified.
- foaming agents are appropriately used in the range of 0.001 to 100 moles, etc. with respect to 100 moles of the monomer during polymerization, and preferably have an internal cell ratio of 2.8 to 6.6%, more preferably 3.0.
- a gas is dispersed in a monomer, more preferably, a method for producing a polyacrylic acid-based water-absorbing resin powder disclosed in International Publication No. 2011/078298 is applied.
- the solubility of the dissolved gas in the aqueous acrylic acid monomer solution may be lowered to disperse the bubbles, and as another technique, the monomer and the gas may be mixed. Alternatively, gas may be introduced from the outside to disperse the bubbles.
- Examples of the gas constituting the bubbles to be dispersed in the acrylic acid-based monomer aqueous solution include oxygen, air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, ozone, and mixtures thereof, but preferably inert gases such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Is used. More preferably, air and nitrogen are particularly preferable in view of polymerizability and cost.
- the pressure at the time of introducing the gas or after the introduction is appropriately determined by normal pressure, pressurization, and decompression.
- a preferable introduction method when introducing gas from the outside is the method described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-292318 (application date: December 24, 2009) and its priority application PCT / JP2010 / 001004. This is shown in “(2-1-4) Gas introduction method” of the PCT application.
- the internal cell ratio described in (2-2-1) above is preferably 0.5% or more and 1.0 to 8.0%, 1.3 to 6.7%, 2.8 to 6.6%, preferably 3.0 to 6.5%, more preferably 3.5 to 6.5%, particularly preferably 3.8-6.5%, most preferably 4.0-6.5% polyacrylic acid water-absorbent resin powder, as a surface cross-link, an alkylene carbonate compound, further ethylene carbonate is reacted by heating, water absorption A method for producing a conductive resin powder is also provided.
- Preferable surface cross-linking is as described later, and a covalent bond surface cross-linking agent, especially an alkylene carbonate compound and a polyhydric alcohol compound are mixed and reacted by heating. Further, preferably, an ion-binding surface cross-linking agent is mixed simultaneously or separately. More preferably, such mixing control is performed with a mass flow meter, particularly a Coriolis mass flow meter. As the mass flow meter, those described in the section (3-6) below can be used. Even more preferably, before adjusting to a predetermined ratio of the surface cross-linking agent, the raw material alkylene carbonate compound (single product itself) is heated and further melted by heating as described in [3] below.
- the solubility of the dissolved gas in the aqueous acrylic acid monomer solution is lowered to generate bubbles and then polymerized.
- a method for dispersing bubbles in an aqueous acrylic acid monomer solution is specifically described. Specifically, at least one of the following methods (a) or (b) is used.
- Method (a) Method by raising temperature of acrylic acid monomer aqueous solution As a method of dispersing bubbles in acrylic acid monomer aqueous solution, monomer and / or salt thereof, and if necessary internal crosslinking agent and water Examples thereof include a method of raising the temperature of the acrylic acid monomer aqueous solution prepared by mixing, or a method of raising the temperature in the preparation stage of the acrylic acid monomer aqueous solution and reducing the solubility of the gas in the aqueous solution.
- the temperature of the heated monomer aqueous solution is preferably a high temperature at which the solubility of the gas is lowered, specifically, 40 ° C. to the boiling point of the aqueous solution, more preferably 50 to 100 ° C., and still more preferably 60 ° C. ⁇ 98 ° C, most preferably 70-95 ° C.
- the time required for the temperature rise is preferably 60 seconds or less, more preferably 30 seconds or less, and even more preferably 10 seconds or less, and it is preferable to rapidly warm the monomer aqueous solution in order to generate as many bubbles as possible.
- the temperature rise width is preferably + 5 ° C. or more, more preferably +10 to + 100 ° C., still more preferably +20 to + 90 ° C., and particularly preferably +30 to + 80 ° C. from the amount of bubbles generated.
- the temperature of the monomer aqueous solution before the temperature rise is preferably 0 to 60 ° C., more preferably 20 to 50 ° C.
- the heat of neutralization (13.9 [kcal / Mol] (25 ° C.)).
- neutralization may be performed continuously or in batch. Further, it may be performed in one stage up to a predetermined neutralization rate, or may be performed in multiple stages (for example, two-stage neutralization).
- Two-step neutralization involves adding a base in two steps, as shown in FIG. 5 and the examples.
- the gas may be dissolved or dispersed in advance in the aqueous monomer solution before the temperature increase.
- FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are schematic flow diagrams showing typical temperature rise and bubble generation by heat of neutralization.
- the temperature when the temperature is raised by the heat of neutralization of acrylic acid 13.9 [kcal / mol] (25 ° C.), it may be appropriately heated or cooled during the neutralization reaction in order to control the range of the temperature rise.
- the reaction system may be insulated from the neutralization reaction.
- the heat of neutralization of acrylic acid is 13.9 [kcal / mol] (25 ° C.)
- the specific heat of water is 1 [cal / ° C./g] (25 ° C.)
- the specific heat of acrylic acid is 0.66 [cal / mol].
- ° C / g] (25 ° C) and the temperature of the acrylic acid aqueous solution is preferably raised by the heat of neutralization of the acrylic acid.
- the range of temperature rise can also be predicted from the heat of neutralization and specific heat.
- thermo raising method other than the temperature raising method utilizing the heat of neutralization, there is a method of raising the temperature by heating an acrylic acid monomer aqueous solution. What is necessary is just to heat.
- FIG. 1 shows an apparatus diagram (schematic diagram) of a continuous heating method by heating an acrylic acid monomer aqueous solution to which the method of the present invention can be applied.
- the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is an apparatus that can be used in one method for generating bubbles by raising the temperature of an aqueous acrylic acid monomer solution.
- FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of the embodiment of the gas solubility reduction and bubble generation by the temperature rise included in the embodiment of the present invention. These temperature raising methods may be used in combination, or may be other methods.
- Method (b) Method of mixing water-soluble organic substance in monomer aqueous solution in preparation of acrylic acid (salt) monomer aqueous solution As a method of dispersing bubbles in acrylic acid (salt) monomer aqueous solution, When preparing a monomer and / or salt thereof, and if necessary, an internal crosslinking agent and water, a water-soluble organic substance in which gas is not dissolved or hardly dissolved, or acrylic to be mixed A method of reducing the solubility of gas by mixing an acid monomer aqueous solution or a water-soluble organic substance in which gas is not dissolved as compared with water is mentioned.
- a compound is used.
- a gas-free monomer solution for example, acrylic acid
- a gas-containing (dissolved) acrylic acid-based monomer aqueous solution a gas that cannot be dissolved in the mixed aqueous solution is generated. It can be dispersed in the aqueous solution as fine bubbles.
- the number average diameter (volume average particle diameter) of the bubbles introduced into the acrylic acid monomer aqueous solution by the method (a) or (b) is preferably 50 ⁇ m or less, and preferably 50 nm (more preferably 10 ⁇ m) to 500 ⁇ m. Is more preferable, and 100 nm (more preferably 10 ⁇ m) to 100 ⁇ m is even more preferable.
- the average diameter of the bubbles is less than 50 nm, the surface area of the bubbles does not increase, and the water absorption rate may be inferior. Moreover, when an average diameter exceeds 500 micrometers, there exists a possibility that the intensity
- the solubility of gas in water is determined by the type and temperature of the gas. For example, for water at 25 ° C., carbon dioxide (1.05 [ml / ml]), oxygen (0.0285 [ml / ml]) ), Nitrogen (0.0147 [ml / ml]), and the solubility of these gases is reduced by increasing the temperature or mixing with a water-soluble organic substance (preferably acrylic acid). What is necessary is just to make it disperse
- the amount of bubbles is appropriately determined depending on the type of gas and the method of decreasing the solubility (temperature rise range and mixing ratio of water-soluble organic substances).
- the volume of the monomer aqueous solution is preferably 1.01 to 1. It is preferable to disperse the bubbles in the acrylic acid monomer aqueous solution so as to be 1 time, more preferably 1.02 to 1.08 times.
- polymerization method examples include spray polymerization, droplet polymerization, bulk polymerization, precipitation polymerization, aqueous solution polymerization or reverse phase suspension polymerization. Is preferably aqueous solution polymerization, reverse phase suspension polymerization, spray polymerization / droplet polymerization, especially aqueous solution polymerization using a monomer as an aqueous solution.
- foam polymerization described in the above (2-2) particularly polymerization in which bubbles are dispersed, is performed, and the internal cell ratio is controlled.
- the aqueous solution polymerization is a method of polymerizing an aqueous monomer solution without using a dispersion solvent.
- the reverse phase suspension polymerization is a method in which an aqueous monomer solution is suspended in a hydrophobic organic solvent for polymerization.
- a hydrophobic organic solvent for polymerization for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,093,764, 4,367,323, 4,446,261, Nos. 4,683,274 and 5,244,735.
- Monomers, polymerization initiators and the like disclosed in these patent documents can also be applied to the present invention.
- the concentration of the aqueous monomer solution during the polymerization is not particularly limited, but is preferably 20% by weight to saturated concentration, more preferably 25 to 80% by weight, still more preferably 30 to 70% by weight. When the concentration is less than 20% by weight, productivity is lowered, which is not preferable. Polymerization in a slurry (acrylic acid aqueous dispersion) in which at least a part of the monomer exists in a solid state is observed to decrease in physical properties. (Kaihei 1-318021).
- the polymerization step in the present invention can be performed at normal pressure, reduced pressure, or increased pressure, but is preferably performed at normal pressure (or in the vicinity thereof, usually ⁇ 10 mmHg).
- a deoxygenation step of dissolved oxygen in the aqueous monomer solution for example, a substitution step of oxygen by introducing an inert gas
- Bubbles may be formed by dispersing bubbles by introducing an inert gas.
- the temperature of the acrylic acid (salt) monomer aqueous solution at the start of polymerization is preferably 15 to 130 ° C, more preferably 20 to 120 ° C, although it depends on the type of polymerization initiator used.
- the polymerization initiator used in the present invention is appropriately determined depending on the polymerization form and is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a photodecomposition polymerization initiator, a thermal decomposition polymerization initiator, and a redox polymerization initiator. The polymerization of the present invention is initiated by these polymerization initiators.
- Examples of the photodegradable polymerization initiator include benzoin derivatives, benzyl derivatives, acetophenone derivatives, benzophenone derivatives, and azo compounds.
- Examples of the thermal decomposition polymerization initiator include persulfates such as sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, and ammonium persulfate; peroxides such as hydrogen peroxide, t-butyl peroxide, and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide; 2 Azo compounds such as 2,2′-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride and 2,2′-azobis [2- (2-imidazolin-2-yl) propane] dihydrochloride.
- examples of the redox polymerization initiator include a system in which a reducing compound such as L-ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite is used in combination with the persulfate or peroxide. It is also a preferred embodiment to use the photodegradable polymerization initiator and the thermal decomposition polymerization initiator in combination.
- a reducing compound such as L-ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite
- the photodegradable polymerization initiator and the thermal decomposition polymerization initiator in combination.
- an azo polymerization initiator that generates nitrogen by thermal decomposition may be used to promote foaming.
- active energy rays such as ultraviolet rays, electron beams, and ⁇ rays may be used alone or in combination with the above polymerization initiator.
- the amount of the polymerization initiator used is preferably 0.0001 to 1 mol%, more preferably 0.0005 to 0.5 mol%, based on the monomer.
- the amount used exceeds 1 mol%, the color tone of the water-absorbent resin powder is deteriorated, which is not preferable.
- the amount used is less than 0.0001 mol%, the residual monomer increases, which is not preferable.
- aqueous polymerization is employed as a method for polymerizing an acrylic acid (salt) monomer aqueous solution from the viewpoint of the physical properties (for example, water absorption speed and liquid permeability) of the water absorbent resin powder and ease of polymerization control. Is done. Among them, continuous aqueous solution polymerization is more preferable, high concentration continuous aqueous solution polymerization and / or high temperature starting continuous aqueous solution polymerization is further preferable, and high concentration / high temperature starting continuous aqueous solution polymerization is particularly preferably employed.
- a preferable form of the aqueous solution polymerization is kneader polymerization or belt polymerization, specifically, continuous belt polymerization (disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 4,893,999, 6,241,928, US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/215734, etc.), Examples thereof include continuous kneader polymerization and batch kneader polymerization (disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 6,987,151 and 6,710,141). If these aqueous solution polymerization forms are used, water-absorbent resin powder can be produced with high productivity.
- the polymerization method is preferably employed in a manufacturing apparatus on a huge scale with a large production amount per line, and the production amount is preferably 0.5 [t / hr], and 1 [t / hr]. More preferred is 5 [t / hr], still more preferred is 10 [t / hr].
- the high temperature initiation continuous aqueous solution polymerization preferably has a polymerization initiation temperature of 40 ° C. or higher, more preferably 50 ° C. or higher, still more preferably 60 ° C. or higher, particularly preferably 70 ° C. or higher, and most preferably 80 ° C. or higher.
- -High temperature start continuous aqueous solution polymerization is continuous aqueous solution polymerization which combined both. Foaming is further promoted by using these polymerization methods.
- the maximum temperature reached during polymerization is high, specifically 100 ° C. or higher, more preferably 100 to 130 ° C., and further preferably 105 to 120 ° C.
- the monomer concentration may be such that the solid content concentration of the hydrogel crosslinked polymer after polymerization is within the above range. By setting the monomer concentration within the above range, the stability of fine bubbles is increased, and the present invention is particularly advantageous.
- the polymerization start time (the time from the addition of the polymerization initiator to the start of the polymerization) exceeds 0 and is 300 seconds from the viewpoint of suppressing the reduction of bubbles in the aqueous monomer solution. Is preferably within 1 to 240 seconds.
- the polymerization start time exceeds 300 seconds, the internal cell ratio of the water-absorbent resin powder may be lowered, which is not preferable.
- aqueous solution polymerization rather than reverse phase suspension polymerization that does not require gel grinding, and particularly during polymerization (for example, during kneader polymerization) or after polymerization (for example, after belt polymerization or after kneader polymerization). Further, it is preferable to employ aqueous solution polymerization in which gel pulverization is performed.
- the gel pulverizer that can be used in the present invention is not particularly limited.
- a gel pulverizer having a plurality of rotary stirring blades such as a batch-type or continuous double-arm kneader, a monoaxial or biaxial extruder, Examples include meat choppers.
- a screw type extruder having a perforated plate at the tip is preferable, and examples thereof include a screw type extruder disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-063527.
- the temperature of the hydrogel before gel grinding is preferably 60 to 120 ° C., more preferably 65 to 110 ° C., from the viewpoints of particle size control and physical properties.
- the gel temperature is less than 60 ° C., the hardness of the hydrogel is too high, and it becomes difficult to control the particle shape and particle size distribution during gel pulverization.
- the said gel temperature exceeds 120 degreeC, the hardness of a hydrogel is too low and control of a particle shape or a particle size distribution will become difficult.
- the gel temperature can be controlled by heating or cooling the temperature at the time of polymerization or the gel after polymerization.
- the weight average particle diameter (D50) (specified by sieving classification) of the particulate hydrogel after gel grinding is preferably 0.5 to 3 mm, more preferably 0.6 to 2 mm, and 0.8 to 1.5 mm. Is more preferable.
- the proportion of the coarse particulate hydrogel having a particle diameter of 5 mm or more is preferably 10% by weight or less, more preferably 5% by weight or less, still more preferably 1% by weight or less of the entire particulate hydrous gel.
- the present invention is a continuous kneader polymerization in which a hydrogel crosslinked polymer produced during polymerization is gel-pulverized, or a process in which the polymerization process is performed by continuous belt polymerization, and the resulting hydrogel crosslinked polymer is subjected to a gel grinding process.
- the method is preferred.
- the gel grinding in the present invention is performed by gel grinding described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-088993 (application date; April 7, 2010) and its international application PCT / JP2011 / 058829, particularly “gel grinding energy (GGE)”. Is preferably applied to the gel pulverization to increase the weight-soluble molecular weight of the water-containing gel by 10,000 to 500,000 [Da]. The Further, when the bubbles of (2-2) are contained at the time of polymerization, the internal cell ratio may be further controlled by gel pulverization after polymerization.
- GGE gel grinding energy
- the hydrogel before gel grinding For the adjustment of the “gel grinding energy” and / or “weight average molecular weight of the water-soluble content of the hydrogel”, for example, using a screw extruder having a perforated plate at the tip, the hydrogel before gel grinding, the hydrogel before gel grinding,
- the method described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-088993 is preferably applied such that the temperature is set to 60 to 120 ° C. and the CRC (water absorption capacity without pressure) is set to 10 to 32 [g / g].
- the gel grinding method described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-088993 and its priority application is incorporated herein by reference.
- This step is a step of obtaining a dry polymer by drying the water-containing gel containing bubbles obtained through the polymerization step and the like.
- the said polymerization process is aqueous solution polymerization
- pulverization fine-graining
- the dried polymer (aggregate) obtained in the drying step may be supplied to the pulverization step as it is. Further, it may be performed simultaneously with the polymerization step and the drying step by high temperature polymerization, spray polymerization, droplet polymerization or the like.
- the drying method in the present invention is not particularly limited, and various methods can be employed. Specific examples include heat drying, hot air drying, vacuum drying, infrared drying, microwave drying, azeotropic dehydration drying with a hydrophobic organic solvent, and high humidity drying using high-temperature steam. Or 2 types can also be used together.
- a water-containing gel containing bubbles (particularly closed cells) is obtained through the polymerization step and the like, but the water-containing gel containing bubbles is further promoted to foam when dried at high temperature.
- the drying temperature in the present invention is preferably 100 to 300 ° C, more preferably 150 to 250 ° C.
- the drying time depends on the surface area and water content of the hydrated gel, the type of dryer, etc., but is preferably 1 minute to 5 hours, and more preferably 5 minutes to 1 hour.
- the resin solid content obtained from the loss on drying after drying (1 g of powder or particles is dried at 180 ° C. for 3 hours) is preferably 80% by weight or more, more preferably 85 to 99% by weight, and more preferably 90 to 98% by weight. More preferred is 92 to 97% by weight.
- This step is a step of pulverizing and / or classifying the dry polymer obtained in the drying step to obtain a water-absorbent resin powder having a specific particle size.
- the (2-4) gel pulverization step is different in that the object to be pulverized has undergone a drying step. Further, the water absorbent resin after the pulverization step may be referred to as a pulverized product.
- the pulverization / classification step is not necessary and is an optional step, preferably the classification step is performed, A crushing step is also carried out (for example in water-soluble polymerization).
- the weight average particle diameter (D50) of the water-absorbent resin powder before surface crosslinking is preferably 200 to 600 ⁇ m, more preferably 200 to 550 ⁇ m, and more preferably 250 to 500 ⁇ m from the viewpoints of water absorption speed, liquid permeability, water absorption capacity under pressure, and the like. Is more preferable, and 350 to 450 ⁇ m is particularly preferable. Further, the smaller the fine particles having a particle diameter of less than 150 ⁇ m as defined by the standard sieve classification, the better. From the viewpoint of liquid permeability, 0 to 5% by weight is preferable, 0 to 3% by weight is more preferable, and 0 to 1% by weight is preferable. Further preferred.
- the ratio of the particle size is preferably 150 ⁇ m or more and less than 850 ⁇ m, more preferably 150 ⁇ m or more and less than 710 ⁇ m, from the viewpoint of water absorption speed, liquid permeability, water absorption capacity under pressure, etc., is preferably 95% by weight or more, and 98% by weight or more. Is more preferably 99% by weight or more (the upper limit is 100% by weight).
- the coarse particles removed in the classification step may be re-pulverized as necessary, and the fine particles removed in the classification step (particle size is For example, particles having a particle size of less than 150 ⁇ m, preferably less than 106 ⁇ m, may be discarded, used for other purposes, or recovered and reused in the fine powder recovery process described below.
- the particle size can be controlled independently or in combination during polymerization, gel pulverization, pulverization after drying, or classification, but is preferably performed during classification after drying.
- the particle size is measured using a JIS standard sieve according to a method defined in International Publication No. 2004/69915 or EDANA-ERT420.2-02.
- the shape of the water-absorbent resin powder of the present invention may be a spherical shape or an aggregate thereof, or may be an irregularly crushed shape obtained by pulverizing a hydrous gel or a dry polymer. An irregularly crushed shape or a granulated product thereof is preferred.
- the above particle size is preferably applied to the water absorbent resin powder as the final product, more preferably after surface cross-linking.
- a classification step (including a second classification step after the surface cross-linking step; the same applies hereinafter) is included after the drying step, preferably the above classification
- fine particles are classified with a standard sieve having a mesh size of 250 to 45 ⁇ m, for example, 150 ⁇ m, and more preferably after separating and collecting the water absorbent resin fine particles passing through the sieve, the water absorbent resin fine particles or water thereof It is preferable to reuse the additive in the step before the drying step.
- liquid permeability for example, SFC
- water absorption rate for example, FSR
- the fine powder collecting step refers to water-absorbing resin fine particles (particularly those containing 70% by weight or more of particles having a particle size of 150 ⁇ m or less, which are generated in the drying step and, if necessary, the pulverization and classification steps. After being separated, it is added as it is, or hydrated or granulated, and added before the drying step, preferably added to the polymerization step, gel grinding step or drying step.
- the fine powder to be added may be fine powder after the above-mentioned drying step and before the surface cross-linking step, or fine powder after the surface cross-linking step described later.
- the amount of fine powder added, that is, the separation and recovery amount is 1 to 1 of the total dry polymer. It is preferably 40% by weight and more preferably 5 to 30% by weight.
- the method of adding the recovered fine powder suitable for the present invention is to mix the water-absorbent resin fine powder or its hydrate or granulated material, if necessary, inorganic fine particles with the monomer aqueous solution before polymerization or the hydrogel during polymerization. Is the method. Furthermore, the added fine powder increases the viscosity of the aqueous monomer solution at the time of polymerization, and the effect of promoting foaming is obtained.
- the method for adding to the monomer aqueous solution before polymerization is WO 92/001008 and 92/020723
- the method for adding to the hydrous gel during polymerization is WO 2007/074167, 2009/109563, 2009/153196, 2010/006937
- addition methods to the drying step (dryer) are exemplified in US Pat. No. 6,228,930, etc. The addition method is preferably applied.
- the surface cross-linking is performed by adding a surface cross-linking agent to be described later, polymerization of a monomer on the surface of the water-absorbent resin powder, addition of a radical polymerization initiator such as persulfate, heating / ultraviolet irradiation, or the like.
- a surface cross-linking agent is preferred, the addition of a covalent surface cross-linking agent that is covalently bonded to the carboxyl group that is a functional group of the water-absorbent resin, and the dehydration having dehydration reactivity with the carboxyl group.
- a reactive surface cross-linking agent is more preferable, and a combination of a covalent surface cross-linking agent and other methods (ionic bond surface cross-linking agent having an ionic bond with a carboxyl group) is preferable.
- Preferred dehydration-reactive surface cross-linking agents are shown below.
- the present invention is applied to a method for producing a water-absorbing resin powder having a high water absorption capacity under pressure (for example, AAP) and liquid permeability (for example, SFC) and continuous production at a huge scale (particularly 1 [t / hr] or more).
- a water-absorbent resin powder at high temperature surface crosslinking.
- the non-polymeric organic compound is stored in a heated state, mixed with another compound, and mixed with the water absorbent resin powder (first method), and the mixing ratio at that time is It is characterized by controlling with a mass flow meter (second method) and using a non-polymeric organic compound in a heated and melted state (third method). Details of the surface cross-linking step that characterizes the present invention will be described later in [3].
- ⁇ -hydroxypropionic acid (salt) in the water-absorbent resin before surface crosslinking is 1000 ppm or less, furthermore 0 to 1000 ppm, 0 to 500 ppm, 0 to 200 ppm, 0 to 100 ppm. It is said.
- the present invention it is possible to shorten the heating time and the heating temperature by using the surface cross-linking agent described later in combination (particularly using polyhydric alcohol and alkylene carbonate) and further using the ion-bonding cross-linking agent. More preferably, an organic acid or an inorganic acid may be used in combination. By shortening the heating time and reducing the heating temperature, it is possible to suppress the increase in residual monomer due to decomposition of ⁇ -hydroxypropionic acid (salt), which is preferable.
- Examples of the surface cross-linking agent that can be used in the present invention include various organic or inorganic covalent surface cross-linking agents that are covalently bonded to a carboxyl group that is a functional group of the water-absorbent resin, but organic surface cross-linking agents are preferably used. Is done. From the viewpoint of physical properties of the water-absorbing resin powder obtained, for example, polyhydric alcohol compounds, epoxy compounds, polyvalent amine compounds or condensates thereof with haloepoxy compounds, oxazoline compounds, (mono, di, or poly) oxazolidinone compounds, oxetanes. Compounds, alkylene carbonate compounds and the like, and particularly preferred are dehydration-reactive crosslinking agents composed of polyhydric alcohol compounds, alkylene carbonate compounds, oxazolidinone compounds and the like.
- the dehydration-reactive surface cross-linking agent is a dehydration esterification reaction between a carboxyl group that is a functional group of the polyacrylic acid (salt) -based water absorbent resin powder and a hydroxyl group or an amino group of the functional group of the surface cross-linking agent.
- it is a surface cross-linking agent that undergoes dehydration amidation reaction, and surface cross-linking agents that generate and pass hydroxyl groups and amino groups from cyclic cross-linking agents such as alkylene carbonate compounds and oxazolidinone compounds are also classified as dehydration-reactive surface cross-linking agents.
- a method for heating (further melting) the dehydration-reactive crosslinking agent as described in (3-3) to (3-5) described later a storage method, It is preferable to use a transportation method and a method of mixing at a predetermined ratio. Particularly preferred mixing methods are described in [3] below, particularly (3-6) to (3-9).
- covalent bond surface cross-linking agent examples include compounds exemplified in US Pat. Nos. 6,228,930, 6071976, 6254990, and the like.
- a surface cross-linking agent that forms an amide bond or an ester bond and further an ester bond with a carboxyl group is more preferably used.
- a surface cross-linking agent that forms an amide bond or an ester bond and further an ester bond with a carboxyl group is more preferably used.
- the surface crosslinking agent that forms an ester bond preferably a polyhydric alcohol, an alkylene carbonate, an oxazolidinone compound, an oxetane compound, an amino alcohol compound, etc.
- the safety of the remaining crosslinking agent may be a problem.
- the surface cross-linking agent that forms an ester bond (preferably a dehydrated ester bond) with the functional group (carboxyl group) of the polyacrylic acid (salt) water-absorbing resin powder is used in a molecule such as a polyhydric alcohol or amino alcohol.
- a molecule such as a polyhydric alcohol or amino alcohol.
- examples thereof include compounds having a hydroxyl group, and compounds that generate a hydroxyl group by ring opening such as alkylene carbonate, oxazolidinone, oxetane, and the like.
- a dehydration-reactive surface cross-linking agent is used in particular because of physical properties, reaction time reduction, and reduction of the remaining surface cross-linking agent.
- a reactive surface cross-linking agent is used in combination.
- hydroxyl compounds that dehydrate and esterify with carboxyl groups amino compounds that undergo dehydration amidation, and ring compounds that open a ring (including different cyclic structures such as 4-membered and 5-membered tubes)
- a polyhydric alcohol, an alkylene carbonate, an oxazolidinone compound, an oxetane compound, and a combination of amino alcohol compounds are used in combination.
- a polyhydric alcohol and an alkylene carbonate are used in combination.
- These surface cross-linking agents are preferably non-polymer surface cross-linking agents (non-polymer compounds), particularly non-polymer water-soluble surface cross-linking agents, because of their reactivity and mixing with the water-absorbent resin.
- the number is 20 or less, and further 15 or less.
- physical properties and productivity are improved by using a covalent surface cross-linking agent having a different reaction mechanism, especially a dehydration-reactive cross-linking agent, and further, residual surface cross-linking agent and by-products (especially ethylene by-produced from ethylene carbonate). Glycol) can also be reduced.
- the residual ethylene carbonate can be reduced and the reaction time can be shortened, so that productivity can be improved, which is preferable.
- a predetermined amount of ethylene glycol remaining particularly a residual amount of less than 1000 ppm in the obtained final product may be preferable, and a predetermined amount may be left.
- the surface cross-linking agent (especially dehydration-reactive surface cross-linking agent) having a different reaction mechanism does not include the combined use of the same compound such as a combination of a plurality of polyhydric alcohols (for example, a combination of butanediol and propylene glycol).
- a combination of a plurality of polyhydric alcohols for example, a combination of butanediol and propylene glycol.
- Different reaction mechanisms such as isomerization, amidation, ring opening and combinations thereof, specifically, two or more kinds of polyhydric alcohols, alkylene carbonates, oxazolidinone compounds, oxetane compounds and amino alcohol compounds are used in combination.
- a monohydric alcohol compound and an alkylene carbonate compound are used in combination.
- Polyhydric alcohols preferably used in combination are C2 to C6 (preferably C3 to C6) polyols (also known as polyhydric alcohols), C2 to C4 (preferably C3 to C4), C2 to C3, and C3 polyols.
- Diols especially C3 diols
- ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, particularly C3 diols such as propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol are used. It is preferable.
- the polyhydric alcohol is used in combination with a surface crosslinking agent other than the polyhydric alcohol, particularly a cyclic compound selected from an alkylene carbonate compound, an oxazolidinone compound, and an oxetane compound, particularly an alkylene carbonate compound.
- a surface crosslinking agent other than the polyhydric alcohol particularly a cyclic compound selected from an alkylene carbonate compound, an oxazolidinone compound, and an oxetane compound, particularly an alkylene carbonate compound.
- ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, and glycerin carbonate are preferably used as the alkylene carbonate compound
- 2-oxazolidinone is preferably used as the oxazolidinone compound
- 2-oxetane is preferably used as the oxetane compound.
- Particularly preferred is ethylene carbonate.
- polyhydric alcohol derivatives such as alkylene carbonate as surface cross-linking agents
- amino alcohol derivatives such as oxazolidinone
- ppm very small amounts
- the present invention is characterized by the intentional use of a significant amount, such as a very small amount of ethylene glycol in ethylene carbonate, rather than a significant amount that exhibits the effects of the present invention (for example, the following combination range).
- Preferred amounts and ratios are as follows.
- the ratio (weight ratio) is usually 1 : 9 to 9: 1, preferably 2: 8 to 8: 2, more preferably 3: 7 to 7: 3, particularly 5: 5 to 7: 3, and at this weight ratio, the polyhydric alcohol and the cyclic compound
- a polyhydric alcohol (more preferably C3 to C6) and an alkylene carbonate (more preferably ethylene carbonate) are used in combination.
- a surface cross-linking agent having a third reaction mechanism (for example, the two main components are 50 to less than 100%, particularly 60 to 90%)
- the oxazolidinone compound or the like is 90% by weight or less, 70% by weight or less, 50% by weight with respect to the surface crosslinking agent of the second (a small amount of surface crosslinking agent compared to the first). % Or less and 30% by weight or less.
- non-dehydrating reactive surface cross-linking agents are preferably used as the third covalently-bonded surface cross-linking agent. It is a system ring-opening reactive surface cross-linking agent, particularly a polyglycidyl compound, and (poly) glycol diglycidyl ether is optionally used in combination.
- the physical properties of the obtained water-absorbing resin are improved, the reaction time is shortened, and the remaining surface Cross-linking agents and their by-products (especially ethylene glycol when ethylene carbonate is used) can also be reduced.
- the storage stability of the cyclic compound is improved, and the ring opening of the cyclic compound before use is suppressed. Therefore, decomposition to ethylene glycol when ethylene carbonate is used and decomposition to ethanolamine when oxazolidinone is used can be controlled.
- Preferred polyhydric alcohols include the above polyhydric alcohols, especially C3-C6 polyhydric alcohols, especially propylene glycol and 1,3-propanediol, and the storage stability of aqueous solutions of cyclic compounds (especially alkylene carbonates, and even ethylene carbonate). Is preferable.
- the storage stability of the cyclic compound is improved by using a polyhydric alcohol and a surface cross-linking agent other than the polyhydric alcohol (in particular, a cyclic compound such as alkylene carbonate), so that the alkylene carbonate, oxazolidinone, etc.
- a polyhydric alcohol and a surface cross-linking agent other than the polyhydric alcohol in particular, a cyclic compound such as alkylene carbonate
- the cyclic compound is mixed with the water-absorbent resin for surface crosslinking, so that the mixing ratio of the alkylene carbonate compound is made constant and the physical properties after the surface crosslinking are stabilized.
- the water content of the alkylene carbonate compound is 1.0% by weight or less, more preferably 0.01% by weight or more and 1.0% by weight or less.
- the water content in the case of the alkylene carbonate compound is the water content of the alkylene carbonate immediately before the preparation of the surface cross-linking agent, and the surface cross-linking agent preparation is also used when the alkylene carbonate compound is heated and melted as described later. It refers to the water content of the alkylene carbonate compound in the immediately preceding molten state. The water content is measured using a value measured using a Karl Fischer moisture meter.
- a polyacrylic acid (salt) water-absorbent resin is mixed with an alkylene carbonate compound and a polyhydric alcohol compound and then reacted by heating. Further, from the viewpoint of improving liquid permeability, at the same time and / or separately in the surface cross-linking step. It is preferable to mix a functional surface cross-linking agent. More preferably, in the surface crosslinking step, a surfactant is mixed simultaneously with or separately from the addition of the alkylene carbonate compound and the polyhydric alcohol compound.
- the ion-bonding surface cross-linking agent / surfactant may be added before or after the addition of the alkylene carbonate compound and the polyhydric alcohol compound, or added both before and after the addition. May be. More preferably, an ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid compound (particularly lactic acid or a salt thereof) described later is mixed.
- the polyhydric alcohol compound is preferably a C3 to C6 polyhydric alcohol
- the ion-binding surface cross-linking agent is preferably a polyvalent metal cation.
- the amount of the surface cross-linking agent used may be appropriately set depending on the properties of the water-absorbing resin powder obtained, the type of surface cross-linking agent to be used, and the like, and is not particularly limited. 0.001 to 10 parts by weight, preferably 0.01 to 5 parts by weight, 0.1 to 5 parts by weight, 0.1 to 1 part by weight, in the case where a plurality of the above are used in combination. The order of is more preferable.
- the amount of the ethylene carbonate surface cross-linking agent used is from the above range, more preferably from 0.1 to 1 part by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the water-absorbent resin powder from the viewpoint of improving water absorption properties and reducing the amount of residual ethylene glycol.
- the C3-C6 polyhydric alcohol preferably C3 diol, particularly propylene glycol
- the water in the surface crosslinking agent aqueous solution is preferably 0.1 to 5 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the water-absorbent resin powder from the same viewpoint.
- an organic surface cross-linking agent including a case of a plurality of organic surface cross-linking agents
- an inorganic surface cross-linking agent preferably 0.001 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the water-absorbent resin powder. It is preferably used in an amount of 0.01 to 5 parts by weight.
- a plurality of preferable organic surface cross-linking agents are the above compounds (other than polyhydric alcohol and polyhydric alcohol), and the above ratio.
- surfactants and ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid compounds, and surfactants and ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid compounds are also appropriately used within the scope described below.
- water is preferably used in accordance with the surface cross-linking agent. That is, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an aqueous surface cross-linking agent solution is prepared by blowing at least an alkylene carbonate compound, a polyhydric alcohol compound, and water, and the surface cross-linking agent aqueous solution is mixed with the water absorbent resin powder. is there.
- the water content at this time is preferably 0.5 to 20 parts by weight and more preferably 0.5 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the water absorbent resin powder.
- the inorganic surface crosslinking agent and the organic surface crosslinking agent are used in combination, they are preferably used in an amount of 0.001 to 10 parts by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 5 parts by weight.
- a hydrophilic organic solvent may be used, and the amount used is preferably more than 0 parts by weight and 10 parts by weight or less, more than 0 parts by weight and 5 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the water absorbent resin powder.
- Water may be added separately, or may be water contained as an aqueous solution of a non-polymer compound and / or other compound mixed in the surface cross-linking agent aqueous solution.
- the temperature of the solvent to be mixed is appropriately determined, but if the temperature is too low, problems of solubility and viscosity may occur.
- the solid non-polymer organic compound described later in (3-1) When ethylene carbonate is used as a surface crosslinking agent, particularly water used as a crosslinking agent, water heated to room temperature or higher (preferably 30 to 100 ° C., more preferably 35 to 70 ° C., further preferably 40 to 65 ° C.) is used as a solvent. Used for. That is, other compounds to be mixed with non-polymeric organic compounds (especially solid surface cross-linking agents, and solid cyclic compounds such as polyhydric alcohols and alkylene carbonates), particularly water, are preferably heated. It is more preferable that it is in the temperature range.
- the alkylene carbonate compound or the polyhydric alcohol compound, particularly the solid alkylene carbonate compound is preferably heated in advance before mixing with water.
- the heating temperature is preferably higher than the temperature of the aqueous surface-crosslinking agent solution after the addition of water.
- Polyhydric alcohols, particularly solid polyhydric alcohols are preferably melted by heating.
- the temperature is preferably 30 to 100 ° C, more preferably 35 to 70 ° C, and further preferably 40 to 65 ° C.
- the water-insoluble fine particles and the surfactant are, for example, more than 0 parts by weight with respect to the water-absorbent resin powder within a range not impeding the effects of the present invention. 10 parts by weight or less, preferably more than 0 part by weight and 5 parts by weight or less, more preferably more than 0 part by weight and 1 part by weight or less, and still more preferably 0.0005 to 1 part by weight can coexist.
- the surfactant used is disclosed in US Pat. No. 7,473,739.
- the average storage time as an aqueous solution is within the range described below, particularly within 1 hour.
- the concentration of the surface cross-linking agent is appropriately determined, but it is 1 to 80% by weight, further 5 to 60% by weight, 10 to 40% by weight, and 15 to 30% by weight from the viewpoint of physical properties.
- the aqueous solution is not limited to a solvent containing only water, and a solvent other than water is 0 to 50% by weight, 0 to 30% by weight, 0 to 10% by weight of an organic solvent, particularly a hydrophilic organic solvent (especially a boiling point of 150 May be included as a solvent.
- the hydrophilic organic solvent to be used include C1 to C4, further C2 to C3 primary alcohols, and C4 or lower lower ketones such as acetone.
- the temperature of the aqueous solution of the surface cross-linking agent is appropriately determined from the solubility of the surface cross-linking agent to be used, the viscosity of the aqueous solution, and the like. However, as described in the following (3-8), ⁇ 10 to 100 ° C., further 5 to 50 ° C. The range of 10 to 30 ° C., 35 to 70 ° C., and 40 to 65 ° C. is preferable. If the temperature is high, the cyclic surface cross-linking agent may be hydrolyzed (eg, decomposition from ethylene carbonate to ethylene glycol, decomposition from oxazolidinone to ethanolamine) or mixed before reacting with the water absorbent resin powder. It tends to decrease. If the temperature is too low, it may not be preferable in terms of solubility and viscosity.
- the average storage period is within 10 days, within 5 days, within 1 day, within 10 hours, within 1 hour, within 1 minute. It is preferable to mix it with a water absorbent resin. That is, a predetermined compound is mixed at a predetermined ratio and then brought to the above temperature, and further mixed with the water absorbent resin within 10 days.
- the temperature of the mixture is 50 ° C. or less, The mixture is preferably mixed with the water absorbent resin within 10 days after preparation.
- the surface crosslinking agent aqueous solution after preparing the surface crosslinking agent aqueous solution, it is preferable to store it at 50 ° C. or less, preferably 20 to 50 ° C. before mixing with the water absorbent resin powder from the viewpoint of storage stability.
- the upper space in the storage tank at the time of storing the surface cross-linking agent aqueous solution may be air, or may be an inert gas such as nitrogen for the purpose of preventing deterioration or coloring.
- the upper space may be reduced or pressurized as appropriate, but is usually atmospheric pressure (atmospheric pressure).
- the atmospheric dew point during storage is preferably low, and is 20 ° C. or lower, more preferably 10 ° C. or lower, 0 ° C. or lower, ⁇ 10 ° C. or lower, and ⁇ 20 ° C. or lower.
- dry air may be used during storage, or an inert gas, preferably nitrogen gas, may be used.
- Nitrogen gas has a dew point of ⁇ 73 ° C. or lower, and helium gas has a dew point of ⁇ 65 ° C. or lower.
- the surface cross-linking agent aqueous solution with the water-absorbent resin powder it is preferable to measure the flow rate with a mass flow meter (preferably a Coriolis flow meter).
- a mass flow meter preferably a Coriolis flow meter.
- an acid or a base may be used in combination with the surface crosslinking agent.
- an organic acid or a salt thereof, an inorganic acid or a salt thereof, or an inorganic base is used, and is 0 to 10 parts by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 5 parts per 100 parts by weight of the water absorbent resin powder. It is suitably used in parts by weight, 0.1 to 3 parts by weight.
- the organic acid used is a C1-C6, further C2-C4 water-soluble organic acid, a water-soluble saturated organic acid, particularly a saturated organic acid containing a hydroxyl group.
- Typical organic acids are acetic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid and their salts, which are monovalent salts or polyvalent metal salts, especially alkali metal salts or trivalent salts. (Especially aluminum salts).
- the inorganic acid used is carbonic acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, polyphosphoric acid or a salt thereof, and the salt is a monovalent salt or a polyvalent metal salt, particularly an alkali metal salt or a trivalent salt (particularly an aluminum salt). ).
- Examples of the inorganic base that can be used include alkali metal hydroxides, carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, marine products of polyvalent metals, and the like.
- Suitable inorganic acids include aluminum sulfate, and organic acids include lactic acid.
- the pH of the surface crosslinking agent solution is preferably an acidic solution having a pH of 2.5 to 6.9.
- an acid (organic acid or inorganic acid) or base is added to the surface cross-linking agent in the surface cross-linking step. It is preferable to use together, and it is particularly preferable to use an acid (organic acid or inorganic acid) in combination with a cyclic dehydration-reactive surface crosslinking agent.
- a base improves the mixing ability of the surface cross-linking agent, but may reduce the reactivity between the water-absorbent resin powder and the surface cross-linking agent, and may further decrease the stability of the surface cross-linking agent aqueous solution before surface cross-linking. .
- caution is required because ethylene carbonate decomposes in a basic aqueous solution and produces ethylene glycol as a by-product.
- the average time when the acid or base, particularly the base is stored as an aqueous solution is within the above-mentioned range, particularly within 1 hour.
- the surface cross-linking agent particularly preferred in the present invention contains ethylene carbonate from the viewpoint of improving the water absorption properties, particularly the relationship between the water absorption capacity and liquid permeability under no pressure, and the water absorption capacity under pressure and the water absorption capacity under pressure, more preferably C3.
- a surface cross-linking agent containing a -C6 polyhydric alcohol compound, particularly propylene glycol, is preferred, and is added to the water-absorbent resin powder as a surface cross-linking agent aqueous solution.
- the ion-bonding surface cross-linking agent used simultaneously with or separately from the above aqueous solution of the surface cross-linking agent is described in (2-9) below.
- aluminum salts are preferable, for example, aluminum sulfate and aluminum lactate.
- the amount of the surface crosslinking agent used is from 0.001 to 10 parts by weight, more preferably from 0.01 to 10 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the water-absorbent resin powder from the viewpoint of improving water absorption properties and reducing the amount of residual ethylene glycol. 5 parts by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 1 part by weight, and propylene glycol is 0.001 to 10 parts by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 5 parts by weight, still more preferably 0.1 to 5 parts by weight.
- the water in the surface crosslinking agent aqueous solution is preferably 0.1 to 5 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the water-absorbent resin powder from the same viewpoint.
- the amount of ion-bonding crosslinking agent described below is applied.
- a water absorbent resin powder having excellent transportability is obtained.
- the excellent transportability means that the water-absorbent resin powder is not easily damaged in the manufacturing process of the water-absorbent resin powder or transport in a diaper factory or the like.
- the mixing method of the water-absorbent resin and the surface cross-linking agent is not particularly limited, but is preferably a mass flow meter described in (3-6) described later, a mixer described in (3-8), and a mixing time thereof. Applied.
- the water-absorbent resin powder after mixing the surface cross-linking agent reacts by being heat-treated, and is then cooled if necessary.
- the heating temperature is preferably 70 to 300 ° C., more preferably 120 to 250 ° C., but more preferably 150 to 250 ° C., more preferably 170 to 230 ° C. when a dehydration-reactive surface crosslinking agent is used.
- the heating time is preferably in the range of 1 minute to 2 hours and 5 minutes to 1 hour.
- the cooling temperature after the surface cross-linking agent is lower than the surface cross-linking temperature, particularly 10 ° C. or higher, and is preferably 100 ° C. or lower, more preferably 30 to 90 ° C., particularly 40 to 80 ° C.
- the pressure in the heating step or the cooling step is also appropriately determined.
- normal pressure or reduced pressure described in (2-10) below It is preferable to carry out under reduced pressure, and the residual surface cross-linking agent in the obtained water-absorbent resin, particularly a polyhydric alcohol compound and ethylene glycol by-produced from ethylene carbonate are also reduced to a predetermined amount or less.
- ethylene glycol it is reduced to 1000 ppm or less (900 ppm or less, 800 ppm or less, 700 ppm or less), and in the case of C3-C6 polyhydric alcohol, preferably C3 diol, especially propylene glycol), it is reduced to 1000 to 10000 ppm) it can. If the upper limit is exceeded, the fluidity and anti-caking properties of the powder deteriorate.
- ethylene glycol and C3-C6 polyhydric alcohol compounds are not only excessively costly and disadvantageous in terms of process, but a certain amount may be preferable for surface hydrophilization and dust prevention.
- Glycol is 1 ppm, 10 ppm or more, further 100 ppm or more, and C3-C6 polyhydric alcohol is also 100 ppm, further 1000 ppm.
- the water-absorbent resin powder before mixing with the surface cross-linking agent is also heated, particularly in the case of a solid non-polymer organic compound described later, and further a water-soluble non-polymer organic compound.
- the surface cross-linking agent can be more uniformly mixed by mixing with the water-absorbing resin powder heated to a melting point or higher of the non-polymeric organic compound in the surface cross-linking agent. When pre-heated, it is not lower than the melting point of the surface cross-linking agent, preferably 30 ° C. or higher, and further 35 to 100 ° C., particularly 40 to 80 ° C.
- the temperature When the temperature is low, it takes time for the surface cross-linking, and the surface cross-linking agent becomes below the melting point and the mixing property is lowered. In addition, when the temperature is excessively high, particularly when the boiling point of water is exceeded, water is evaporated from the aqueous solution of the surface cross-linking agent, and there is a possibility that the mixing property and physical properties are deteriorated.
- the mixing method of the water-absorbent resin and the surface cross-linking agent is not particularly limited, but is preferably a mass flow meter described in (3-6) described later, a mixer described in (3-8), and a mixing time thereof. Applied.
- the surface cross-linking agent is applied to a plurality of surface cross-linking agents, and further to three or more components and four or more components.
- the upper limit of the number of components is appropriately determined, but is about 10 components. It is also suitably used when a surface cross-linking agent is added a plurality of times, and preferably applicable when an addition reaction of an ion-bonding cross-linking agent is performed after the addition and reaction of a covalent bond surface cross-linking agent.
- the water absorption capacity under pressure (AAP) described later is in the range described below, preferably 20 [g / g] or more, more preferably 23 to 30 [g / g]. It is sufficient to crosslink to In particular, when the SFC is improved to the following range (for example, 20 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g ⁇ 1 ] or more, more preferably the range described later), the CRC is preferably 15 to 45 [ g / g], more preferably 20 to 40 [g / g], still more preferably 25 to 35 [g / g], and particularly preferably 28 to 33 [g / g].
- the liquid permeability can be further improved by further including a liquid permeability improver selected from polyvalent metal cations, polyamine polymers, and water-insoluble fine particles.
- the production method of the present invention is suitable for continuous operation, stabilization of physical properties on a huge scale, and simplification of production. Therefore, it is preferably applied to continuous production of preferably 1 day (24 hours) or longer, and further 10 days or longer. Further, it is preferably applied to 0.1 [t / hr] or more per line (apparatus), and further to the production amount described in the above polymerization, particularly continuous production.
- the water-absorbent resin powder can be produced by 1 ton or more per hour.
- solid non-polymer organic compounds are used to stabilize physical properties and simplify the process, and preferably the non-polymer organic compounds are heated, preferably melted. And mixed with the water absorbent resin powder as an aqueous solution.
- a mass flow meter particularly a Coriolis mass flow meter is used in the mixing step.
- [3] describes solid non-polymer organic compounds and mass flowmeters preferably used.
- This step is a step of adding each additive to impart various functions to the water-absorbent resin powder, and is composed of one or a plurality of steps.
- the additive include a liquid permeability improver that improves liquid permeability, a surfactant that improves water absorption speed and liquid permeability, a coloring inhibitor, and a urine resistance improver. All or some of these additives may be added simultaneously with the surface cross-linking agent or separately.
- the liquid permeability improver can react with the water-absorbent resin, for example, in the case of the following ion-binding surface cross-linking agent, the step of adding the liquid permeability improver is described in (2-8) above. It is also a kind of surface cross-linking step.
- Non-binding surface cross-linking agent water-insoluble fine particles
- the ion-bonding surface cross-linking agent is used simultaneously with or separately from the covalently bonded surface cross-linking agent.
- a polyvalent cationic polymer such as a polyamine polymer or a polyvalent metal salt (polyvalent metal cation) is mixed to improve liquid permeability.
- the polyhydric alcohol compound is a C3-C6 polyhydric alcohol and the ion-binding surface cross-linking agent is a polyvalent metal cation. .
- the ion-binding surface cross-linking agent is used simultaneously with or separately from the polyhydric alcohol compound and the alkylene carbonate compound, which are covalent surface-crosslinking agents, to form an electrostatic spacer on the surface of the swollen gel particles.
- These additions may be dry blended, or may be added as an aqueous solution or aqueous dispersion using about 0 to 20 parts by weight of a solvent such as water.
- the above (2-8) can be applied to preferable temperatures, mixers and flow meters.
- liquid permeability SFC
- a covalently bonded surface cross-linking agent and an ionically bonded surface are used.
- the combined use with a crosslinking agent, and the combined use with water-insoluble fine particles described later are preferred. More preferably, a polyhydric alcohol or ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid (salt) is used in combination with the ion-binding surface cross-linking agent for reasons of color improvement.
- polyamine polymer examples include polyethyleneimine, polyvinylamine, and polyallylamine.
- the weight average molecular weight is preferably from 1,000 to 5,000,000, more preferably from 10,000 to 1,000,000.
- the polyvalent metal salt is preferably divalent or higher, more preferably trivalent or tetravalent polyvalent metal salt (organic salt or inorganic salt) or hydroxide, that is, a polyvalent metal cation.
- examples of the polyvalent metal include aluminum and zirconium, and examples of the polyvalent metal salt include aluminum cations such as aluminum lactate and aluminum sulfate.
- water-insoluble fine particles examples include inorganic fine powders such as silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, clay, and kaolin, and organic fine powders such as calcium lactate and metal soaps (polyvalent metal salts of long chain fatty acids).
- the particle diameter is preferably 10 ⁇ m or less, and more preferably 1 ⁇ m or less.
- the water-absorbent resin powder of the present invention contains a liquid permeability improver selected from polyamine polymer, polyvalent metal salt (polyvalent metal cation) and water-insoluble fine particles simultaneously or separately. Is preferred.
- a liquid permeability improver selected from polyamine polymer, polyvalent metal salt (polyvalent metal cation) and water-insoluble fine particles simultaneously or separately.
- the water absorption rate and the liquid permeability are compatible at a higher level, and the anti-caking property at the time of moisture absorption is also excellent. It can be preferably applied to.
- the amount of decrease in water absorption under pressure is preferably within 3.0 [g / g], more preferably 2.5 [g. / G], more preferably within 2.0 [g / g], particularly preferably within 1.5 [g / g], most preferably within 0.5 [g / g]. It is preferable.
- the lower limit of the decrease range is 0 [g / g] (that is, no decrease in AAP) or ⁇ 1 [g / g] (that is, an increase in AAP + 1).
- the polyhydric alcohol and / or ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid (salt) used in combination with the ion-binding surface cross-linking agent, the water-insoluble fine particles, and the ion-binding surface cross-linking agent will be described.
- ion binding surface cross-linking agent examples include polyvalent metal cations and polyvalent cationic polymers.
- the polyvalent metal compound that can be used for the polyvalent metal cation in the present invention is preferably water-soluble.
- the polyvalent value it is essentially divalent or more, preferably divalent to tetravalent, and trivalent metal cations, particularly aluminum cations are used.
- water-soluble refers to a compound that dissolves in 1 g or more, preferably 10 g or more, in 100 g of water (25 ° C.).
- the polyvalent metal compound containing the polyvalent metal cation may be mixed as it is (mainly in solid form) with the water-absorbent resin particles, but from the viewpoint of improving FSC, a water-soluble polyvalent metal compound is used. It is preferable to mix an aqueous solution with a water absorbent resin.
- the polyvalent metal cation generated by dissociation of the polyvalent metal compound acts as an electrostatic spacer between particles, and liquid permeability (for example, SFC) or The water absorption ratio (for example, FSC) is further improved, and the water absorbing agent of the present invention can be obtained more.
- liquid permeability for example, SFC
- FSC water absorption ratio
- the polyvalent metal cation that can be used in the present invention preferably contains at least one metal selected from a typical metal and a transition metal having a group number of 4 to 11.
- Mg, Ca, Ti, Zr, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Pd, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Al are preferably included, and Mg, Ca, Zn, and Al are more preferable.
- Al is particularly preferable.
- the anion of the counter may be either organic or inorganic, and is not particularly limited.
- water-soluble aluminum salts such as aluminum acetate, aluminum lactate, aluminum acrylate, aluminum chloride, polyaluminum chloride, aluminum sulfate, aluminum nitrate, potassium bissulfate aluminum, sodium bissulfate aluminum; calcium chloride, calcium nitrate, magnesium chloride,
- water-soluble alkaline earth metal salts such as magnesium sulfate and magnesium nitrate
- transition metal salts such as zinc chloride, zinc sulfate, zinc nitrate, copper sulfate, cobalt chloride, zirconium chloride, zirconium sulfate, and zirconium nitrate.
- aluminum compounds are particularly preferred from the viewpoint of liquid permeability, and among these, aluminum sulfate is preferred, and water-containing crystal powders (or aqueous solutions thereof) such as aluminum sulfate 14-18 hydrate are most preferably used. I can do it.
- a polyvalent metal salt of an organic acid for example, anisic acid, benzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, formic acid, valeric acid, citric acid, glycolic acid, glyceric acid, glutaric acid, chloroacetic acid, chloropropionic acid, silicate Cinnamic acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, fumaric acid, propionic acid, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, malonic acid, maleic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, imidinoacetic acid, malic acid, isothionic acid, methylmaleic acid , Fatty acids such as adipic acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, oxalic acid, salicylic acid, gluconic acid, gallic acid, sorbic acid, stearic acid, and bases corresponding to the acid.
- tartrate and lactate are preferable, and lactate such as aluminum
- the method of mixing the polyvalent metal cation is an aqueous solution containing the polyvalent metal cation in the water-absorbent resin, particularly, the polyvalent metal cation concentration is 1 to 60% by weight, more preferably 10 to 50% simultaneously with or separately from the organic surface crosslinking agent.
- the mixture is heated at the surface crosslinking temperature described in (2-8) above, or 40 to 150 ° C. separately from the surface crosslinking agent. What is necessary is just to heat at about 100 degreeC.
- the amount of water used is preferably 0.1 to 5 parts by weight, more preferably 0.5 to 3 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the water absorbent resin. More preferably, a polyhydric alcohol or ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid is used together during mixing.
- the polyhydric alcohol or ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid is appropriately selected from the various compounds described above.
- the amount of polyhydric alcohol or ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid is less than water and is 0 to 4 parts by weight, 0.01 to 3 parts by weight, and further 0.1 to 0.5 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the water absorbent resin. It is preferably used.
- the amount of the polyvalent metal compound used is preferably 0.001 to 3 parts by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 2 parts by weight, and more preferably 0.02 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the water-absorbing resin particles as the polyvalent metal cation. Is more preferably 1 to 1 part by weight, particularly preferably 0.03 to 0.9 part by weight, and most preferably 0.05 to 0.8 part by weight.
- the polyvalent metal cation is less than 0.001 part by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the water-absorbent resin, the FSC is not sufficiently improved.
- the amount is more than 3 parts by weight, the AAP is greatly reduced by mixing. There is a fear.
- the weight average molecular weight of the polyvalent cationic polymer that can be used in the present invention is preferably 1000 or more, more preferably 2000 or more, still more preferably 5000 or more, and particularly preferably 10,000 or more. Further, the number average molecular weight is preferably 2000 or more, and more preferably 5000 or more. If the weight average molecular weight is less than 1000, the expected effect may not be obtained.
- the weight average molecular weight is measured by an equilibrium sedimentation method, and the number average molecular weight is measured by a viscosity method. In addition, it can also be measured by gel permeation chromatography, static light scattering method or the like. From the viewpoint of cost, it is sufficient that the upper limit of the weight average molecular weight is about 5 million, and further about 1 million.
- the polyvalent cationic polymer according to the present invention has a cation density of preferably 2 [mmol / g] or more, more preferably 4 [mmol / g] or more, and further preferably 6 [mmol / g] or more.
- the cation density is less than 2 [mmol / g]
- the water-absorbent resin obtained by mixing the water-absorbent resin and the polyvalent cationic polymer has sufficient shape retention of the swollen water-absorbent resin aggregate. There is a risk of disappearing.
- an upper limit is suitably determined with a repeating unit, it is 30 [mmol / g] or less, Furthermore, it is 25 [mmol / g] or less.
- polyvalent cationic polymer examples include polyethyleneimine, modified polyamidoamine modified by grafting of ethyleneimine, protonated polyamidoamine, condensate of polyamidoamine and epichlorohydrin, condensate of amines and epichlorohydrin, poly ( Vinylbenzyldialkylammonium), poly (diallylalkylammonium), poly (2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxypropyldialkylamine), polyetheramine, polyvinylamine, modified polyvinylamine, partial hydrolysis of poly (N-vinylformamide) , Partial hydrolyzate of poly (N-vinylalkylamide), partial hydrolyzate of (N-vinylformamide)-(N-vinylalkylamide) copolymer, polyalkylamine, polybiphenyl Ruimidazole, polyvinyl pyridine, polyvinyl imidazoline, polyvinyl tetrahydropyridine,
- the polyamidine referred to here is a polymer having an amidine ring in the molecule, and more preferably obtained by copolymerizing N-vinylformamide and acrylonitrile and then treating with acid.
- Specific examples of the polyamidine include, but are not limited to, a cationic polymer having an amidine structure described in Japanese Patent No. 2624089.
- a polyamine polymer containing at least one member selected from a decomposed product or a salt thereof, and a polyamine polymer containing a polyvinylamine or a salt thereof, a partial hydrolyzate of poly (N-vinylformamide) or a salt thereof are preferable.
- These polyvalent cationic polymers may contain other repeating units of about 0 to 30 mol%, further about 0 to 10 mol%.
- the method for producing these polyvalent cationic polymers is not particularly limited.
- a polyvalent cationic polymer having an amine group and formic acid (salt) are formed, resulting in water absorption.
- the use of this partially hydrolyzed product or a salt thereof and formic acid at the time of mixing with the resin is preferable from the viewpoint of simplification of the process because the polyvalent cationic polymer and formic acid can be added simultaneously.
- a purification method should be employed so that formic acid does not remain or is not removed so that a predetermined amount of formic acid remains.
- the hydrolysis rate of the partial hydrolyzate of poly (N-vinylformamide) or a salt thereof is preferably 10 to 100 mol%, more preferably 20 to 95 mol%, particularly preferably 30 to 90 mol%.
- a hydrolysis rate shows the ratio (%) of the amine group (mole number) formed by hydrolysis with respect to the formamide group (mole number) before hydrolysis.
- the 100 mol% hydrolyzate corresponds to polyvinylamine or a salt thereof.
- the mixing method of the polyvalent cationic polymer may be directly mixed with the water-absorbent resin, or the polyvalent cationic polymer may be mixed as an aqueous solution, but the aqueous solution, particularly the concentration of the polyvalent cationic polymer is preferably from 1 to It is preferable to mix as an aqueous solution of 60% by weight, further 10 to 50% by weight, and further, after mixing, if necessary, it may be heated at 40 to 150 ° C., further about 60 to 100 ° C.
- the mixer and heat treatment are appropriately selected including the same devices as those used for surface crosslinking.
- the ratio of the water absorbent resin and the polyvalent cationic polymer is appropriately determined, but less than 0.3 parts by weight, 0.25 parts by weight or less, 0.2 parts by weight or less, based on 100 parts by weight of the water absorbent resin. In particular, 0.1 part by weight or less is preferable, and the lower limit is 0.001 part by weight or more, and further 0.01 part by weight or more.
- the amount of the polyvalent cationic polymer is less than 0.001 part by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the water absorbent resin, the improvement of FSC is not sufficient, and when it is more than 0.5 part by weight, the AAP can be lowered by mixing. There is sex.
- the water-insoluble fine particles are not particularly limited as long as the water-absorbing agent prevents the water-absorbing agent particles from coming into close contact with each other and improves the flow of the aqueous liquid when the water-absorbing agent comes into contact with the aqueous liquid.
- water-insoluble inorganic fine powders are preferable, and inorganic fine particles such as clay, kaolin, bentonite, silicon dioxide, titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, and the like, calcium lactate, metal soap (polyvalent metal salt of long chain fatty acid) and the like.
- silicon-based fine particles are preferable because they improve the absorption capacity without pressure (FSC).
- the water-insoluble fine particles are preferably fine particles having a volume average particle diameter of 10 ⁇ m or less, 5 ⁇ m or less, 1 ⁇ m or less, particularly 0.5 ⁇ m or less.
- the method of mixing the water-absorbent resin and the water-insoluble fine particles may be dry blending, or may be mixed with a slurry of the water-insoluble fine particles as an aqueous dispersion, but is preferably dry-blended, and the mixer at that time is appropriately selected. .
- the ratio of the water-absorbent resin to the water-insoluble fine particles is such that the absorption capacity under pressure (AAP) and VDAUP are not significantly reduced by addition of the water-insoluble fine particles, particularly if the decrease in AAP is 3.0 [g / g] or less.
- the amount is appropriately determined, but is preferably 0.4 parts by weight or less, 0.3 parts by weight or less, 0.2 parts by weight or less, particularly 0.1 parts by weight or less with respect to 100 parts by weight of the water absorbent resin.
- the lower limit is in the range of 0.001 part by weight or more, and further 0.01 part by weight or more.
- the improvement of FSC is not sufficient, and when it is more than 0.4 parts by weight, AAP and VDAUP satisfy this application by mixing. There is a possibility that it will decline as much as possible.
- a long-chain alkylamine (particularly having 10 to 20 carbon atoms) may be used instead of the polyvalent metal cation, the polyvalent cationic polymer, and the water-insoluble fine particles.
- the polyhydric alcohol compound used in combination with the ion-binding surface cross-linking agent is preferably a non-polymeric water-soluble polyhydric alcohol compound, such as the polyhydric alcohol compound exemplified in the above surface cross-linking, particularly propanediol.
- the polyhydric alcohol compound or ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid is contained in the invention in an amount of 0.01 to 3 parts by weight, further 0.05 to 2 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the water absorbent resin.
- the ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid preferably used in the present invention refers to a carboxylic acid having a hydroxyl group bonded to the ⁇ -position carbon in the molecule or a salt thereof, preferably a non-polymeric ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid or the like.
- Aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acid (salt), more preferably aliphatic ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid (salt) having no cyclic structure or unsaturated group In the case of an aromatic ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid or an ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid having a cyclic structure or an unsaturated group, it is not preferable because it is colored by an oxidation reaction.
- the molecular weight is preferably in the range of 40 to 2000, more preferably 60 to 1000, and particularly preferably 100 to 500.
- the ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid used in the present invention has a water solubility at 20 ⁇ 5 ° C. and has a solubility in 100 g of deionized water of 1 g or more, more preferably 5 g or more, still more preferably 10 g or more, particularly preferably 20 g or more. Is preferable.
- Examples of such ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acids include lactic acid (salt), citric acid (salt), malic acid (salt), isocitric acid (salt), glyceric acid (salt), tartaric acid (salt), D-form, L-form thereof, Examples include meso bodies.
- ⁇ -hydroxy polyvalent carboxylic acid malic acid (salt), citric acid (salt), isocitric acid (salt), and tartaric acid (salt) are most preferably used from the viewpoint of water absorption characteristics and coloring improvement.
- ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid or a salt or mixture thereof may be collectively referred to as ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid compound.
- the polyhydric alcohol compound or ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid used in combination with the ion-binding surface cross-linking agent is 0.01 to 3 parts by weight, more preferably 0.05 to 2 parts by weight of the polyhydric alcohol with respect to 100 parts by weight of the water absorbent resin. It is preferably used in parts.
- a chelating agent particularly an organophosphorus chelating agent or an aminocarboxylic acid chelating agent
- an ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid may further contain an anti-coloring agent selected from lactic acid (salt), an inorganic or organic reducing agent (especially a sulfur-based inorganic reducing agent), or a urine resistance (and (5-14) weather resistance) improver.
- the production method of the present invention preferably includes a step of mixing a chelating agent or the like in any step. By containing a chelating agent or the like, a water-absorbing resin powder excellent in urine resistance and coloring prevention can be obtained.
- the method for obtaining the polyacrylic acid (salt) water-absorbing resin containing the chelating agent is not particularly limited as long as the chelating agent is appropriately added in each step described above.
- the method of adding in the gel refining step, the method of adding before and after the drying step, the method of adding the aqueous solution of the surface crosslinking agent in advance in the surface crosslinking step, or the aqueous solution of the surface crosslinking agent Various methods such as a method and a method of adding to the water-absorbent resin after surface crosslinking can be appropriately selected.
- the form of adding the chelating agent is not particularly limited, and for example, a liquid or solid (powder) chelating agent may be added as it is, or it may be dissolved in a solvent in advance and added as a solution. Although it is good, it is preferable to add in solution from the viewpoints of handleability and fluctuation of the amount added.
- the chelating agent is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a polymer or a non-polymer chelating agent. Among them, a non-polymer chelating agent is preferable, and a non-polymer chelating agent having a molecular weight or weight average molecular weight of preferably 40 to 2000, more preferably 60 to 1000, and further preferably 100 to 500 is used as a monomer or a polymer thereof. It is more preferable to use it. More specific chelating agents include aminocarboxylic acids (salts) and phosphoric acids (salts), and the number of carboxyl groups is preferably 2 to 20, more preferably 4 to 10, particularly preferably 5 to 8.
- the amount of the chelating agent used in the present invention is preferably 0.00001 to 10 parts by weight, more preferably 0.0001 to 1 part by weight, and 0.002 to 0.1 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the water absorbent resin. Is more preferable.
- the amount used exceeds 10 parts by weight, not only an effect commensurate with the amount used is obtained but it becomes uneconomical, and a problem such as a decrease in water absorption characteristics may occur.
- the amount used is less than 0.00001 parts by weight, a sufficient addition effect cannot be obtained.
- the polyacrylic acid (salt) -based water-absorbent resin powder may contain a surfactant, and the production method of the present invention preferably includes a step of mixing the surfactant in any step.
- a form used for controlling the cell ratio of the base polymer and a form used in combination with a surface cross-linking agent in the surface cross-linking step may be mentioned.
- the water absorbent resin powder may be coated with a surfactant.
- the surface of the water absorbent resin powder of the present invention is coated with a surfactant to obtain a water absorbent resin powder having a high water absorption rate and high liquid permeability.
- a surfactant the compounds described in the above (2-1) are applied.
- the surfactant may be used also during the polymerization, but preferably for surface coating, it is further mixed with the surface cross-linking agent, particularly with the surface cross-linking agent aqueous solution simultaneously or separately, preferably simultaneously. The physical properties after surface crosslinking are also improved.
- the type and amount of the surfactant to be used are appropriately determined, but it is preferably used within the range of the above surface tension, and is 0 to 0.5 parts by weight, more preferably 0.00001 to 0. 1 part by weight, used in the range of 0.001 to 0.05 part by weight.
- anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, or silicone surfactants are preferably used from the viewpoint of effects, and nonionic surfactants or silicone surfactants are used. More preferably.
- the water-absorbent resin powder is a foam
- the impact resistance tends to be low, and in particular, process damage caused by transportation to the next step during surface crosslinking or after surface crosslinking (for example, pneumatic transportation).
- the physical properties may deteriorate. This tendency becomes more prominent as the production amount increases.
- the production amount per line is 0.5 [t / hr] or more, and in the following order, 1 [t / hr] or more, 5 [t / hr] or more, It becomes more remarkable as it becomes 10 [t / hr] or more.
- surface crosslinking is performed after drying, particularly at the time of continuous production at the above-mentioned huge scale, and preferably simultaneously or separately from the surface crosslinking. At the same time, it is preferable to coat the surface of the water-absorbent resin powder with a surfactant.
- the type and amount of the surfactant are appropriately determined, but the amount used is preferably 2% by weight or less, and in the following order 0.03% by weight or less, 0.015% by weight or less, 0.01% by weight or less. 0.008% by weight or less is preferable.
- the lower limit is preferably 0.1 ppm or more, and more preferably 1 ppm or more. Further, it is used in an amount and a kind for maintaining the following surface tension (preferably 60 [mN / m] or more, more preferably within the range indicated by “(4-7) Surface tension” described later).
- the added water is preferably added in an amount of 0.1 to 10% by weight, more preferably 1 to 8% by weight, and still more preferably 2 to 7% by weight with respect to the water absorbent resin powder.
- chelating agent especially organophosphorus chelating agents and aminocarboxylic acid chelating agents
- ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acids especially lactic acid (salts)
- An anti-coloring agent selected from inorganic or organic reducing agents particularly sulfur-based inorganic reducing agents
- urine resistance moreover, weather resistance of (5-14)
- the water absorbent resin powder having a large surface area generally tends to be colored or deteriorated.
- the use amount of the anti-coloring agent or the urine resistance is preferably 0 to 3 parts by weight, preferably 0.001 to 100 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the water absorbent resin powder. 1 part by weight is more preferable, and 0.05 to 0.5 part by weight is particularly preferable. Since these anti-coloring agents or urine resistance (weather resistance) improvers are added to monomers, hydrous gels, dry polymers, water-absorbing resin powders, etc., the addition process is appropriately determined after the polymerization process. The In addition, since the said inorganic or organic reducing agent is consumed at a superposition
- Examples of the chelating agent include chelating agents disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 6,599,989, 6,469,080, and European Patent No. 2,163,302, particularly non-polymer chelating agents, organophosphorus chelating agents, and aminocarboxylic acid chelating agents.
- Examples of the ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid include malic acid (salt), succinic acid (salt), and lactic acid (salt) disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0312183.
- Examples of the inorganic or organic reducing agent include sulfur-based reducing agents disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0062252, and particularly sulfites and hydrogen sulfites.
- Airflow exposure step This step is a step of exposing the water absorbent resin powder to the airflow after the surface cross-linking agent is mixed, at the time of heat treatment of the water absorbent resin powder and / or after the heat treatment.
- the above-mentioned “exposure under an air stream” means circulation and replacement of a gas filled in the apparatus in the heat treatment apparatus and / or other processes of the water absorbent resin powder. By this operation, it becomes possible to remove volatile components that cause unpleasant odors generated by heat treatment at high temperatures.
- the supply amount is preferably 0.001 to 100 [m 3 / hr], preferably 0.01 to 10 [m 3 / hr] per unit volume 1 m 3 in the heat treatment apparatus in which the water-absorbent resin powder is present and / or other processes. 3 / hr] is more preferable.
- the linear velocity of the airflow is preferably 0.01 to 100 [m / s], more preferably 0.1 to 50 [m / s].
- the exposure time is preferably 1 to 120 minutes, more preferably 10 to 90 minutes.
- the airflow may be generated by air blowing or suction.
- the pressure may be reduced or increased preferably within 10%, more preferably within 1%. Since the residual surface cross-linking agent, particularly residual alkylene carbonate and its by-product ethylene glycol can be reduced, the pressure is preferably reduced to 0.999 atm or less, more preferably 0.999 to 0.9 atm, particularly 0.998 to 0.8. Surface cross-linking and cooling are performed at a slight reduced pressure of 95 atm.
- the exposure under the air stream is performed simultaneously with the heat treatment of the water absorbent resin powder after the surface cross-linking agent is mixed, it is preferable to use a heat treatment machine or a heating furnace equipped with a gas supply device and / or a gas exhaust device.
- a gas supply device preferably 120 to 250 ° C.
- the gas occupying the space of the heat treatment machine or the heating furnace water vapor, air, nitrogen, or It is preferable to substitute one or more of these mixed gases).
- the temperature of the gas may be appropriately heated or cooled, but is usually heated to a temperature at which a volatile component causing an unpleasant odor easily evaporates from the water absorbent resin powder. Specifically, 50 ° C. or higher is preferable, 60 ° C. or higher is more preferable, and 70 ° C. or higher is even more preferable.
- the temperature of the airflow is less than 50 ° C., volatile components may not be removed, which is not preferable.
- this airflow exposure process occurs when exposed to a high temperature after addition of the surface crosslinking agent when using an alkylene carbonate compound, particularly ethylene carbonate, as a surface crosslinking agent (by-product).
- an alkylene carbonate compound particularly ethylene carbonate
- ethylene glycol may adversely affect the human body, it is preferably reduced or removed in this step.
- Pneumatic transport step This step is a step of transporting the water-absorbent resin powder before and after the surface cross-linking step, and various transport methods can be adopted, but preferably pneumatic transport is employed.
- pneumatic transportation step primary air and secondary air used as necessary (in the middle of the transportation piping) from the viewpoint of stably maintaining the physical properties of the water-absorbent resin powder of the present invention and preventing blockage of the piping.
- the dry air (air) is preferably used as the additional air.
- the non-polymer organic compound remaining on the surface of the water-absorbent resin powder, particularly the remaining surface cross-linking agent, and further ethylene glycol and the like may be removed by pneumatic transportation.
- the dew point of the dry gas (air) is preferably ⁇ 5 ° C. or lower, more preferably ⁇ 10 ° C. or lower, still more preferably ⁇ 12 ° C. or lower, and particularly preferably ⁇ 15 ° C. or lower. From the viewpoint of cost performance, the lower limit is preferably ⁇ 100 ° C. or higher, more preferably ⁇ 70 ° C. or higher, and further about ⁇ 50 ° C. is sufficient.
- the temperature of the dry gas (air) is preferably 10 to 40 ° C., more preferably 15 to 35 ° C.
- heated gas may be used. Although it does not specifically limit about a heating method, you may heat gas (air) directly using a heat source, and indirectly heat the gas (air) to pass by heating a transportation part and piping. Also good.
- a temperature of heating gas (air) 20 degreeC or more is preferable and, as for the minimum, 30 degreeC or more is more preferable.
- the upper limit is preferably less than 70 ° C, more preferably less than 50 ° C.
- a gas preferably air
- a gas may be appropriately dried.
- Specific examples include a method using a membrane dryer, a method using a cooling adsorption dryer, a method using a diaphragm dryer, or a method using these in combination.
- the cooling adsorption dryer it may be a heating regeneration type, a non-heating regeneration type, or a non-regeneration type.
- a second classification step (performed after the surface cross-linking step), an evaporation monomer recovery step, a granulation step, and the like may be provided as necessary.
- the water-absorbent resin powder may be added to other oxidizing agents, antioxidants, water, polyvalent metal compounds, water-insoluble inorganic or organic powders such as silica and metal soap, deodorants, antibacterial agents, Pulp, thermoplastic fiber, etc. may be added to the water-absorbent resin powder in an amount exceeding 0% by weight and not more than 3% by weight, preferably exceeding 0% by weight and not more than 1% by weight.
- the dissolving operation greatly reduces productivity,
- the influence of the fluidity on the air temperature is large, and it is necessary to reduce ethylene glycol by-produced.
- the present inventors pay attention to the handling property of the modifier (non-polymer organic compound) added to the water-absorbent resin, and heat, particularly heat-melt, the non-polymer organic compound, particularly the surface cross-linking agent, and further the alkylene carbonate.
- the workability can be significantly improved, and there is no influence on fluidity due to temperature fluctuations, and it is possible to stably obtain a water-absorbing resin with high physical properties and low impurities (especially residual ethylene glycol) with high productivity. I found it. Furthermore, it has been found that such a method can stably provide a water-absorbing resin having high liquid permeability and high water absorption speed.
- first, second and third manufacturing methods are provided. 1st manufacturing method.
- the second manufacturing method and the third manufacturing method may be performed separately, and both the first manufacturing method or the third manufacturing method and the second manufacturing method are performed. It is preferable to carry out all the third production methods.
- First manufacturing method In the method for producing a water absorbent resin powder of the present invention (first production method), a non-polymeric organic compound that is a raw material (modified raw material) of the water absorbent resin powder is stored in a heated state (preferably in a heated and melted state). Then, it is a method for producing a polyacrylic acid (salt) -based water-absorbing resin powder, which is mixed with another compound at a predetermined ratio and further mixed with the water-absorbing resin powder.
- first production method a non-polymeric organic compound that is a raw material (modified raw material) of the water absorbent resin powder is stored in a heated state (preferably in a heated and melted state). Then, it is a method for producing a polyacrylic acid (salt) -based water-absorbing resin powder, which is mixed with another compound at a predetermined ratio and further mixed with the water-absorbing resin powder.
- the manufacturing method (second manufacturing method) of the water-absorbent resin powder according to the present invention comprises a polyacrylic acid (salt) water-absorbing resin powder mixed with a non-polymeric organic compound and water, and the mixing ratio is a mass flow meter.
- the manufacturing method (third manufacturing method) of the water-absorbing resin powder of the present invention comprises mixing a non-polymeric organic compound in a heated and melted state with another compound at a predetermined ratio, and further polyacrylic acid (salt) -based water-absorbing resin
- the storage may be omitted completely, and the non-polymer organic compound may be heated and melted continuously by a continuous heating kneader or the like.
- heating by a batch type it corresponds also to the storage by a 1st manufacturing method, and when it heat-melts continuously with a continuous heating kneader etc., it corresponds also to the transport of this invention.
- the first production method of the present invention stores the non-polymeric organic compound in a heated state) or the second production method (uses a mass flow meter described later) or the third production method (heats and melts the non-polymeric organic compound)
- the non-polymeric organic compound is preferably water-soluble, and is mixed with the heated non-polymeric organic compound and water in a predetermined ratio to form an aqueous solution.
- the non-polymeric organic compound is preferably a surface cross-linking agent, and in such a case, the conditions described in the surface cross-linking step described in (2-8) and (2-9) are preferably applied.
- Non-polymeric organic compound contains at least one selected from an alkylene carbonate compound or a polyhydric alcohol compound, preferably at least one selected from each of an alkylene carbonate compound and a polyhydric alcohol compound
- a method for producing a water-absorbing resin, in which an acid (salt) -based water-absorbing resin is heated and reacted after mixing, and more preferably, simultaneously or separately, an ion-binding surface cross-linking agent is mixed is more preferable.
- the surface crosslinking agent is preferably one or more dehydration reactive surface crosslinking agents.
- the dehydration-reactive surface crosslinking agent is an alkylene carbonate compound, and more preferably, the alkylene carbonate compound is an ethylene carbonate compound.
- the surface cross-linking agent is a combination of an alkylene carbonate compound and a polyhydric alcohol compound.
- a mixture at a predetermined ratio is more preferably used. It is preferable to warm from preparation until mixing with the water absorbent resin.
- a more preferable temperature is 30 ° C. to 100 ° C., still more preferably 35 ° C. to 70 ° C., and most preferably 40 ° C. to 65 ° C.
- the non-polymeric organic compound includes an alkylene carbonate compound and a polyhydric alcohol compound, and after mixing the alkylene carbonate compound and the polyhydric alcohol compound with the water absorbent resin, the mixture is reacted by heating.
- an ion-binding surface cross-linking agent is added. Can be mixed.
- the surface cross-linking agent is preferably a combination of a compound other than a non-polymeric organic compound (especially other than a dehydration-reactive surface cross-linking agent).
- An ion-binding surface cross-linking agent selected from the polyamine polymers and polyvalent metal compounds described in 9) is used in combination.
- an ion-binding surface cross-linking agent selected from the polyamine polymers and polyvalent metal compounds described in (2-9) above may be mixed, and further a polyvalent metal compound may be mixed.
- a surfactant and / or a hydroxycarboxylic acid compound stored as a compound other than the surface crosslinking agent by heating or non-heating may be used in combination and / or separately.
- the water-absorbent resin powder to which the non-polymer organic compound is mixed preferably has an internal cell ratio of 0 as described in (2-2) above. .5% or more of polyacrylic acid water-absorbing resin powder.
- the water absorbent resin powder is also preheated to 35 ° C. or higher.
- ⁇ -hydroxypropionic acid (salt) in the water-absorbent resin is 1000 ppm or less.
- the method of the present invention is preferably applied to continuous production, particularly continuous production of 1 ton or more per hour in order to improve workability and stability.
- ethylene carbonate when ethylene carbonate is used, decomposition-derived by-product ethylene glycol can be reduced, so that the surface physical properties of the water absorbent resin can be improved or stabilized, or at least the residual ethylene glycol in the obtained water absorbent resin can be reduced.
- the ethylene carbonate melt storage and the polyhydric alcohol compound preferably C3-C6 polyhydric alcohol compound
- the tank, that is, the plant can be made smaller than the aqueous solution storage.
- the trouble of dissolving the solid non-polymeric organic compound in the solvent can be eliminated, and the pipeline, pump, mass flow meter, etc.
- the melted non-polymeric organic compound is continuously and accurately mixed to a specified ratio, it can be applied to a mass flow meter, especially a Coriolis mass flow meter, and can be mixed more accurately. , Surface properties are improved or stabilized.
- non-polymer organic compounds and other compounds as raw materials is a raw material (modified raw material) of the above-described water-absorbing resin powder, particularly a solid non-polymeric organic compound, and any material that is mixed with the water-absorbing resin powder [2
- the compounds exemplified in the above can be applied, and in particular, the surface cross-linking agent described later can be used in (3-1).
- the other compound mixed with the non-polymeric organic compound is a compound having a structure different from that of the non-polymeric organic compound, and the non-polymeric organic compound generally used as a surface cross-linking agent or a modifier for a water-absorbing resin
- At least one selected from compounds other than the above and a solvent is preferable, and at least one selected from water, a polyhydric alcohol, and a polyvalent metal salt is more preferable.
- the mixture containing the non-polymeric organic compound and the other compound is preferably a composition that forms a solution, and more preferably in the form of an aqueous solution or an alcohol solution.
- a non-polymeric organic compound preferably a solid non-polymeric organic compound, is used in a heated or cooled state, particularly heated and further heated and melted (third production method).
- the non-polymeric organic compound used is preferably a surface cross-linking agent or a surface coating agent for water-absorbing resin powder, and further a surface cross-linking agent, for example, the following compounds (3-1) and (3-2) are exemplified.
- non-polymeric organic compound is not particularly limited as long as it is a non-polymeric organic compound mixed with the water-absorbent resin in the production process of the water-absorbent resin, but is usually used as a raw material for polymerizing the water-absorbent resin.
- Organic compounds other than monomers such as acrylic acid and polymerizable crosslinking agents, that is, non-radically polymerizable organic compounds.
- the non-polymeric organic compound means an organic compound having a molecular weight of usually 7000 or less, preferably 1000 or less.
- the water-soluble non-polymeric compound is the above-mentioned non-polymeric organic compound particularly water-soluble (solubility in 100 g of water at room temperature is 1 [g / 100 g of water] or more, more preferably 5 g, more preferably 10 g or more). is there. As long as it is substantially non-radically polymerizable, it may have an unsaturated bond such as a long-chain unsaturated fatty acid, but preferably a non-polymeric organic compound having no unsaturated bond (olefin structure). used.
- the solid shape is not particularly limited, such as block shape, powder shape, pellet shape, sheet shape, wax shape, fiber shape, film shape, etc., but the particle diameter defined by the standard sieve is 100 mm or less, preferably 10 mm.
- a powdery material having a size of 2 mm or less can be preferably used.
- These various solid shapes are preferably liquefied by heating.
- the water-absorbent resin powder is added to and mixed with a water-absorbent resin powder in a predetermined ratio, particularly in an aqueous solution state. The physical properties are stable, and even if it remains on the water-absorbent resin surface powder, it is a solid, so there is little adverse effect on the fluidity of the water-absorbent resin powder.
- the non-polymeric organic compound may be liquid at normal temperature, but is preferably solid at normal temperature, and has a melting point of 10 to 200 ° C., 10 to 100 ° C., preferably 15 to 100 ° C., more preferably 18 to 90 ° C., more preferably 20 to 50 ° C., particularly preferably 30 to 40 ° C.
- Preferred carbon numbers are in the range of C2 to C30, more preferably C4 to C20, and C4 to C18.
- “normal temperature” is defined as a range of 20 ° C. ⁇ 15 ° C. (5-35 ° C.) (JIS Z 8703), and this range is normal temperature.
- the non-polymeric organic compound is heated, particularly when heated and melted, to a temperature not lower than the melting point but not higher than the boiling point, and further not higher than the decomposition temperature. Therefore, epoxy compounds and organic peroxides having a relatively low decomposition temperature are not preferably used, and non-epoxy compounds and non-polymeric organic compounds that are non-organic peroxides are preferably applied.
- the purity of the non-polymeric organic compound may include water and other impurities, but is preferably 96% by weight, and in the following order, at least 97% by weight, 98% by weight, 99% by weight, 99.5% by weight. %, 99.7% by weight, 99.9% by weight, 99.95% by weight, and 99.99% by weight (wherein the impurities are preferably mainly composed of moisture).
- a non-polymeric organic compound having the above purity is preferably used.
- the water content of the non-polymeric organic compound is 1.0% by weight or less, preferably 0.5% by weight or less, more preferably 0.3% by weight or less, still more preferably 0.1% by weight or less, and still more preferably Is 0.05% by weight or less, most preferably 0.01% by weight or less.
- the physical properties of the resulting water-absorbent resin can be stabilized, the residual by-products can be reduced, and further coloring can be prevented.
- the amount of water can be defined by the Karl-Fusher method (JIS K0068, ISO 760, DIN 51777, etc.), preferably JIS K0068: 1966.
- Non-polymeric organic compound, particularly solid surface cross-linking agent is not particularly limited, and is, for example, a saturated dihydric alcohol or saturated solid at room temperature. Specific examples include trihydric alcohols, saturated tetrahydric alcohols, polyhydric alcohols such as unsaturated glycols, cyclic compounds such as cyclic (carbonic acid) esters, diamine compounds, amine compounds such as amino alcohols, and saturated fatty acids. The following compounds are exemplified. These compounds, non-polymeric organic compounds, especially solid surface cross-linking agents are preferably heated, in particular heated and melted, and stored or transported in the heated state.
- a dehydration-reactive surface cross-linking agent that is solid at room temperature, more preferably a saturated dihydric alcohol, a saturated trihydric alcohol, a saturated tetrahydric alcohol, or a cyclic (carbonic acid) ester is used.
- a dehydration-reactive surface cross-linking agent may be used as an internal cross-linking agent by being used for a monomer during polymerization or a gel after polymerization, that is, it can be used as a dehydration-reactive cross-linking agent.
- the solid crosslinking agent preferably used in the present invention, particularly the surface crosslinking agent will be specifically described.
- the following compounds can be used as an internal crosslinking agent or a surface coating agent (without reaction), but are preferably used as the surface crosslinking agent in (2-8) above.
- saturated dihydric alcohol examples include meso-2,3-butanediol (melting point: 34.4 ° C.), tetramethylethylene glycol (melting point: 38 ° C.) and hexahydrate thereof (melting point: 46-47 ° C.), hexanemethyl Trimethylene glycol (melting point 126-128 ° C.), 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-butanediol (melting point 10 ° C.), 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-petanetane diol (melting point 60-63 ° C.), 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol (melting point 52 ° C.), 1,4-butanediol (melting point 19 ° C.), 2,5-hexanediol (melting point 43-44 ° C.), 1,6- Hexanediol (melting point 42 ° C), 1,8-octanediol
- Examples of the unsaturated glycol include cis-2,5-dimethyl-3-hexene-2,5-diol (melting point: 69 ° C.), cis-2,5-dimethyl-3-hexene-2,5-diol (melting point: 77 ° C), meso-2,6-octadiene-4,5-diol (melting point: 23-24 ° C), racemic-2,6-octadiene-4,5-diol (melting point: 48 ° C), and the like.
- semi-solid, waxy or waxy solid polyethylene glycol at room temperature includes PEG 600 (melting point 15 to 25 ° C.), PEG 1000 (melting point 35 to 40 ° C.), PEG 3000 to 4000 (melting point 53 to 56 ° C.), PEG 5000 to 7000 (melting point: 58 to 62 ° C.).
- saturated trihydric alcohol examples include glycerin (melting point: 18 ° C.), 2-methyl-2,3,4-butanetriol (melting point: 49 ° C.), 2,3,4-hexanetriol (melting point: 47 ° C.), 2,4 -Dimethyl-2,3,4-hexanetriol (melting point 75 ° C.), dimethyl petaneglycerin (melting point 83 ° C.), 2,4-dimethyl-2,3,4-pentanetriol (melting point 99 ° C.), trimethylolpropane ( Melting point of 58 ° C.).
- saturated tetrahydric alcohol examples include 1,2,4,5-hexanetetrol (melting point 88 ° C.), 1,2,5,6-hexanetetrol (melting point 96 ° C.) and the like.
- cyclic ester examples include ethylene carbonate (melting point: 35 to 38 ° C.), 5,5-dimethyl-4-methylene-1,3-dioxolan-2-one (melting point: 26 ° C.), 2,2-pentamethylene-1, 3-Dioxolan-4-one (melting point 32-35 ° C.), 1,3-dioxan-2-one (melting point 48 ° C.), 4,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxol-2-one (melting point 78 ° C.) Etc.
- ethylene carbonate melting point: 35 to 38 ° C.
- 5,5-dimethyl-4-methylene-1,3-dioxolan-2-one melting point: 26 ° C.
- 2,2-pentamethylene-1, 3-Dioxolan-4-one melting point 32-35 ° C.
- 1,3-dioxan-2-one melting point 48 ° C.
- cyclic compounds include (S) -4-benzyl-2-oxazolidinone (melting point 86-88 ° C.), 5-methyl-5- (3-isopropoxy-4-methoxyphenyl) -2-oxazolidinone (melting point 67- 69.5 ° C.), 5-methyl-5- (3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl) -2-oxazolidinone (melting point 63 to 65 ° C.), oxazolidinone (melting point 86 to 89 ° C.), and the like.
- diamine compound examples include ethylenediamine (melting point 8.5 ° C), tetramethylenediamine (melting point 27 ° C), hexamethylenediamine (melting point 42 ° C), heptamethylenediamine (melting point 28 to 29 ° C), octamethylenediamine (melting point 52 ° C), nonamethylenediamine (melting point: 37.5 ° C), and the like.
- amino alcohol examples include disopropanolamine (melting point: 43 ° C.), triisopropanolamine (melting point: 57.2 ° C.), 1-aminopentan-5-ol (melting point: 36 ° C.), and the like.
- the solid surface coating agent preferably used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include, for example, a saturated or unsaturated monohydric alcohol, ether compound, alkane that is solid at room temperature. A sulfonic acid compound, a ketone compound, etc. are mentioned, Specifically, the following compound is illustrated.
- the surface coating agent can be used for various modifications such as fluidity and hydrophobic hydrophilicity by coating the water-absorbent resin powder and its hydrogel.
- saturated fatty acid examples include caprylic acid (melting point 16.7 ° C.), capric acid (melting point 31.6 ° C.), lauric acid (melting point 44.2 ° C.), myristic acid (melting point 53.9 ° C.), palmitic acid (melting point) 63.1 ° C.) and stearic acid (melting point 69.6 ° C.).
- saturated monohydric alcohol examples include lauryl alcohol (melting point 24 ° C.), myristyl alcohol (melting point 38 ° C.), cetyl alcohol (melting point 49 ° C.), stearyl alcohol (melting point 58.5 ° C.), neopentyl alcohol (melting point 52 to 53). ), N-eicosyl alcohol (melting point 63.5 ° C.), n-hexacosyl alcohol (melting point 79.5 ° C.), and the unsaturated monohydric alcohol include 2,4-pentadiin-1-ol ( Melting point 26 to 28 ° C.).
- ether compound examples include dicetyl ether (melting point 55 ° C.) and isoamyl cetyl ether (melting point 30 ° C.).
- alkanesulfonic acid compound examples include n-pentanesulfonic acid (melting point: 15.9 ° C), n-hexanesulfonic acid (melting point: 16.1 ° C), n-nonanesulfonic acid (melting point: 46 ° C), and n-decanesulfonic acid. (Melting point 46.5 ° C.), n-undecane sulfonic acid (melting point 52 ° C.), n-dodecane sulfonic acid (melting point 58 ° C.) and the like.
- ether compound examples include dicetyl ether (melting point 55 ° C.) and isoamyl cetyl ether (melting point 30 ° C.).
- Examples of the ketone compound include di-n-hexyl ketone (melting point 31 ° C.), di-n-heptyl ketone (melting point 41 ° C.), methyl-n-nonyl ketone (melting point 15 ° C.), methyl-n-decyl ketone (melting point 21 ° C.). ), Methyl-n-undecyl ketone (melting point 29 ° C.), methyl-n-dodecyl ketone (melting point 34 ° C.), methyl-n-tridecyl ketone (melting point 39 ° C.), and the like.
- (3-2) and (3-1) compounds may be used as a raw material for the water-absorbing resin in addition to surface crosslinking and surface coating, for example, as an internal crosslinking agent during polymerization. Alternatively, it may be added to the gel during or after polymerization to improve the fluidity of the gel or to impart other water-absorbing resin functions.
- the non-polymeric organic compound when melted, is solid at ordinary temperature (JIS Z 8703), and has a melting point of 10 to 200 ° C., 10 to 100 ° C., preferably 15 It is -100 ° C, more preferably 18-90 ° C, still more preferably 20-50 ° C, particularly preferably 30-40 ° C. Since it is solid at room temperature, even if it is used or remains in the water-absorbent resin powder, the fluidity of the water-absorbent resin powder is not impaired, and there is no problem of odor derived from non-polymer organic compounds. When the melting point is higher than 200 ° C., 100 ° C., 90 ° C.
- the non-polymeric organic compound is preferably used for heating, particularly heating to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point, storage and transportation, and further for use in the production process of the water-absorbent resin powder.
- the heating may be performed on the non-polymeric organic compound that is liquid at room temperature, but is preferably performed on the non-polymeric organic compound that is solid at room temperature.
- the non-polymeric organic compound may be solid depending on the temperature of the water-absorbent resin powder due to the temperature difference between summer and winter and the temperature difference between day and night. Or it may be liquid. In such a case, not only does it take time to prepare the raw material for the water-absorbent resin powder, but the fluidity and specific gravity of the raw material also change depending on the temperature, so the mixing ratio of the raw material is not constant, resulting in deterioration in physical properties and fluctuations in physical properties. There is.
- Heating temperature In the present invention, the heating may be performed continuously or in batches. Both continuous and batch operations are included in the concept of transportation and storage in the present invention.
- the heating temperature of the non-polymeric organic compound is appropriately determined by its melting point, decomposition temperature, and viscosity, but when it is solid at room temperature, it is usually heated above the melting point, and the upper limit is + 100 ° C. or lower of the melting point, and further + 80 ° C.
- the non-polymeric organic compound preferably has the melting point (preferably 10 to 100 ° C.) and is heated within the range of the melting point to the melting point + 100 ° C.
- the lower limit of the heating temperature is appropriately determined depending on the melting point and the like, but it is preferably heated to room temperature or higher, and more preferably heated to the temperature described later in (3-4) and (3-6) below. . More preferably, the heating temperature of the non-polymeric organic compound is 30 ° C. or higher and the melting point + 100 ° C. or lower, and it is particularly preferable to heat in the range of 30 to 90 ° C.
- the lower limit of the heating temperature is not a problem as long as it exceeds the melting point, but it is preferably set to at least + 5 ° C., more preferably about + 8 ° C. of the melting point in consideration of changes in temperature.
- the heating temperature is also determined by the melting point.
- a non-polymeric organic compound having a melting point of less than 30 ° C. for example, a crosslinking agent such as propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, glycerin carbonate, or a surface crosslinking agent
- it may be stored and transported by heating to 90 ° C., it is preferably applied to non-polymer organic compounds that are solid at room temperature.
- the heating temperature is preferably a substantially constant temperature, particularly the same temperature, within ⁇ 9 ° C of the above predetermined temperature, further within ⁇ 6 ° C, within ⁇ 3 ° C, within ⁇ 1 ° C. It is preferred that control, in particular 90% or more of the total production time be controlled.
- the temperature in the heated state is not lower than the melting point and is preferably 150 ° C. or lower, more preferably 100 ° C. or lower, further preferably 90 ° C. or lower. In the present invention, it suffices if the raw material is melted at a melting point or higher. Excessive heating is not only disadvantageous in terms of energy, but also decreases in physical properties and coloring of the water-absorbent resin powder obtained as a result of deterioration and decomposition of the raw material. This is not preferable.
- the non-polymeric organic compound (especially the surface cross-linking agent) is adjusted to a predetermined ratio, and in particular, the non-polymeric organic compound (especially the surface cross-linking agent) is heated (to a certain temperature) in advance before preparing an aqueous solution of the predetermined ratio
- the mixing ratio and concentration can be strictly controlled, the physical properties of the water-absorbent resin powder, particularly the physical properties after surface crosslinking are improved or stabilized.
- a preferable predetermined ratio is determined according to the purpose.
- the mixing ratio described in the above (2-8) and (2-9) is used. At least one of the agents is stored in a heated state, preferably in a molten state.
- the non-polymeric organic compound becomes a liquid by heating and melting even if it is a powder or a block.
- the storage tank (tank) can be compacted as a liquid material having substantially no voids compared to powders and blocks having a low bulk specific gravity due to voids between the particles.
- an aqueous solution by continuously mixing water from a pipe, the storage amount and storage time as an aqueous solution can be shortened, the decomposition of the non-polymeric organic compound in the aqueous solution can be suppressed, and the plant can be made compact.
- a storage tank for example, a tank
- a liquid material is appropriately determined in a spherical shape, a conical shape, a cylindrical shape, and the like, and as a liquid material, a stirring and circulation method, presence or absence, volume, filling rate, and the like are also determined as appropriate.
- Various types of containers and stirring devices having a heating function are used.
- a storage tank equipped with an external multitubular heat exchanger, various heating and stirring devices (for example, a kneader), and the like are used.
- stirring blade etc. you may also heat a stirring site
- the number of rotations and time are appropriately determined, for example, 0.1 to 5000 rpm, further 1 to 1000 rpm and 1 second to 10 hours.
- heating may be performed continuously or intermittently.
- the present invention also provides a raw material for polyacrylic acid (salt) -based water-absorbing resin powder, characterized in that a non-polymeric organic compound that is a raw material for water-absorbing resin powder is stored in a heated state.
- a storage method Such a method of storing the raw material of the water absorbent resin powder is suitably and suitably applied (second and third production methods) to essential (first method) in the method of producing the water absorbent resin of the present invention. Storage may be heated.
- the storage may be batch or continuous heating that also serves as a heating (melting) device, but is preferably stored in a heated or heat-retained tank.
- the non-polymeric organic compound heated before and after such heat storage, particularly melt storage, is preferably transported in the heated state described in (3-5), in particular transported in the heat-melted state, to produce a water absorbent resin. Used for.
- the non-polymeric organic compound is preferably used in the production process of the polyacrylic acid (salt) -based water-absorbing resin of the non-polymeric organic compound in a heated state through the above storage method and / or transporting method of the water-absorbing resin.
- the heated non-polymeric organic compound is used as a crosslinking agent capable of dehydration reaction with a carboxyl group, particularly a surface crosslinking agent.
- the non-polymeric organic compound as the raw material is stored in a heated state before use, particularly in a tank.
- the storage place is the place where the water-absorbent resin is produced, and is substantially close to the plant of the water-absorbent resin, particularly within 1 km, preferably within 0.5 km, more preferably from the equipment used (for example, the surface cross-linking agent preparation tank). Is stored close to 0.2 km.
- a preheated raw material particularly a heated and melted raw material may be stored as it is, and a storage tank such as a tank may be heated or kept warm from the outside during storage.
- an unheated raw material particularly a solid state raw material, particularly a powder raw material, may be put into a storage tank having a heating function and heated as it is to a predetermined temperature, particularly heated to a melting point or higher to be melted by heating.
- a surface heating element especially an electric sheet heating element, and further a sheet heating element containing conductive carbon black
- a heating medium jacket such as steam or hot water is used on the surface.
- the storage layer used for heat insulation is a tank having a heat insulating material or a double structure on the surface, and heating may be performed in a tank having a heat insulation function.
- an ester compound particularly a carbonate ester, particularly an alkylene carbonate
- the filling rate, storage amount and time per tank are appropriately determined. For example, 100 to 20000 L, and further 500 to 15000 L are appropriately determined according to the daily production amount of the water absorbent resin.
- a first method which is a preferred embodiment of the production method of the present invention, is to store an organic compound (preferably a non-polymeric organic compound that is solid at room temperature) as a raw material of the water-absorbent resin powder in a heated state, This is a method for producing a water-absorbent resin powder, which is mixed with other compounds at a predetermined ratio and further mixed with the water-absorbent resin powder.
- the organic compound that is a raw material of the water absorbent resin powder is a surface cross-linking agent for the water absorbent resin powder.
- the other compound to be mixed includes an inorganic compound, a solvent, particularly water, and the other non-polymeric organic compound is a liquid organic compound at room temperature. These may also be heated or cooled as necessary, or may remain at room temperature (air temperature).
- the temperature of other compounds to be mixed such as water is also appropriately determined depending on the melting point or boiling point thereof, but preferably 30 to 100 ° C., more preferably as described in (2-8) above. It is in the range of 35 to 70 ° C, more preferably 40 to 65 ° C.
- the temperature difference between the two compounds is preferably 100 ° C. or less, more preferably 80 ° C. or less, 60 ° C. or less, 20 ° C. or less, and 10 ° C. or less are preferable in this order.
- the temperature of the mixture after mixing at a predetermined ratio is preferably adjusted to 30 to 100 ° C., more preferably 35 to 70 ° C., more preferably 40 to 65 ° C. before mixing with the water absorbent resin. .
- Such a temperature is not limited to the case of using as the surface cross-linking agent of (2-8) above.
- the surface cross-linking agent is one or more dehydration-reactive surface cross-linking agents, and the dehydration-reactive surface cross-linking agent is an alkylene carbonate compound,
- the alkylene carbonate compound is an ethylene carbonate compound.
- the surface cross-linking agent is preferably a combination of an alkylene carbonate compound and a polyhydric alcohol compound (particularly a C3-C6 polyhydric alcohol compound).
- non-polymeric organic compounds especially surface cross-linking agents
- productivity is stable, and non-polymeric organic compounds (especially surface cross-linking agents) themselves are melted compared to storage in powders with a small bulk specific gravity or even storage in aqueous solutions diluted with water. Therefore, the equipment becomes compact, and there is no decomposition (for example, decomposition of carbonate into ethylene glycol) or decay as in storage in an aqueous solution.
- Heating temperature The heating temperature at the time of storage is appropriately determined depending on the melting point, viscosity, thermal stability, etc. of the raw material, but the heating temperature of the non-polymeric organic compound is 30 to 90 ° C. and the melting point + 100 ° C. or less, or the non-polymer
- the organic compound has a melting point of 10 to 100 ° C. and is heated at the melting point + 100 ° C. or less. More preferably, it is 30 to 90 ° C., further 40 to 80 ° C., 50 to 70 ° C. If the heating temperature is too high, depending on the melting point, decomposition or coloring may occur during storage. Conversely, if the temperature is too low, the effect of solving the problems of the present invention is hardly exhibited.
- Storage is also performed in a tank heated or kept at the above temperature range.
- the heating of the raw material may be performed in a stage before being carried into the storage tank, may be performed in the tank after the storage, and is heated in the stage before being carried into the storage tank, in particular, the heated and melted raw material.
- the upper space may be air, and may be filled or circulated with an inert gas such as nitrogen for the purpose of preventing deterioration or coloring.
- the upper space may be reduced or pressurized as appropriate, but is usually atmospheric pressure (atmospheric pressure).
- the atmospheric dew point during storage is preferably low, and is 20 ° C. or lower, more preferably 10 ° C. or lower, 0 ° C. or lower, ⁇ 10 ° C. or lower, ⁇ It shall be 20 degrees C or less.
- dry air may be used during storage, or an inert gas, preferably nitrogen gas, may be used.
- Nitrogen gas has a dew point of ⁇ 73 ° C. or lower, and helium gas has a dew point of ⁇ 65 ° C. or lower.
- the transport unit When transporting to the manufacturing process of water-absorbent resin powder in tank trucks or containers, the transport unit is appropriately determined from 100 to 20000L, further 500 to 15000L, and the material is made of metal (especially the inner surface is SUS) or resin. (Especially made of polyethylene) and the like are appropriately determined, and the shape is appropriately selected such as a cube, a cylinder, a column, an inverted cone, an inverted pyramid. Among these, a heat retaining / warming type thermal container or lorry is preferably used.
- the raw material conveyed to the manufacturing plant (plant) of the water-absorbing resin powder by such means is stored as necessary in the manufacturing plant, and then transported, preferably in the pipeline, more preferably in the heated or insulated pipeline. It is conveyed to the powder raw material preparation step (for example, a yard where preparation is performed at a predetermined ratio of the surface cross-linking agent aqueous solution).
- Storing quantity is controlled by mass flowmeters and Coriolis mass flowmeters among many flowmeters because of the accuracy and stability, as well as the physical stability of the water-absorbent resin powder. It is preferable that the flow rate of the heated raw material, particularly the heated and melted raw material, is measured and controlled in the water absorbent resin powder.
- the 7 includes a first tank 22, a second tank 24, a third tank 26, a line mixer 28, a fourth tank 30, a first pipe 32, a second pipe 34, a third pipe 36, and a first tank. It has four pipes 38, a fifth pipe 40, and a sixth pipe 42 (circulation loop).
- the first pipe 32 connects the first tank 22 and the line mixer 28.
- the second pipe 34 connects the second tank 24 and the first pipe 32.
- the third pipe 36 connects the third tank 26 and the second pipe 34.
- the fourth pipe 38 connects the line mixer 28 and the fourth tank 30.
- the fifth pipe 40 connects the fourth tank 30 and the next process.
- the sixth pipe 42 branches off from the middle of the fifth pipe 40 and is connected to the fourth tank 30 again. Thus, a part of the fifth pipe 40 and the sixth pipe 42 form a circulation loop (hereinafter simply referred to as “circulation loop 2”).
- the first tank 22, the second tank 24, and the third tank 26 are tanks for storing raw materials for preparing a mixed liquid containing a surface cross-linking agent. That is, the first tank 22 stores a first surface cross-linking agent (hereinafter referred to as a first surface cross-linking agent), and the second tank 24 stores another surface cross-linking agent (hereinafter referred to as a second surface cross-linking agent).
- the third tank 26 stores water. Accordingly, since the stock solution of the surface cross-linking agent is stored in each of the first tank 22 and the second tank 24, the amount held can be reduced, and the tank capacity can be reduced.
- the third tank 26 may not be provided, and water may be poured directly into the second pipe 34.
- the first surface cross-linking agent stored in the first tank 22 is continuously taken out through the first pipe 32 and sent to the line mixer 28.
- the second surface cross-linking agent stored in the second tank 24 is continuously taken out through the second pipe 34 and sent to the first pipe 32.
- the water stored in the third tank 26 is continuously taken out through the third pipe 36 and sent to the second pipe 34.
- the first surface cross-linking agent, the second surface cross-linking agent and water are mixed in the line mixer 28.
- the liquid mixture of the surface cross-linking agent that has passed through the line mixer 28 is continuously charged into the fourth tank 30 through the fourth pipe 38, and a predetermined amount of the liquid mixture is stored in the fourth tank 30. Thereafter, the mixed liquid stored in the fourth tank 30 is continuously taken out through the fifth pipe 40 and continuously added to the water-absorbent resin particles made of a polymer of acrylic acid (salt).
- the mixing ratio of the liquid mixture passing through the fourth pipe 38 is not stable and uniform. Therefore, if the liquid mixture of the surface cross-linking agent that passes through the fourth pipe 38 is directly added to the water absorbent resin particles, the quality of the water absorbent resin powder obtained may not be stable. Therefore, in the present invention, the mixed liquid of the surface cross-linking agent that passes through the fourth pipe 38 is temporarily stored in the fourth tank 30. Then, the mixed liquid in the fourth tank 30 is circulated by the circulation loop 2 so that the three kinds of liquids are sufficiently mixed.
- the present invention proceeds to a process for producing a water-absorbent resin powder in a heated state after producing a non-polymeric organic compound that is a raw material (modified raw material) of the water-absorbent resin powder, if necessary after storage.
- a method for transporting a raw material for polyacrylic acid (salt) water-absorbent resin powder characterized by transporting.
- Such a method for transporting the raw material for the water absorbent resin powder is suitably (second and third production methods) to essential (first production method) in the method for producing the water absorbent resin of the present invention.
- Such a transport method is suitably applied to a water-absorbent resin manufacturing process, in particular, the raw material transport in the above-described manufacturing method, and further applied to the transport of the raw material to the water-absorbent resin manufacturing process (water absorbent resin manufacturing plant).
- the raw material of the water absorbent resin is transported to the water absorbent resin production process (water absorbent resin production plant) in the heated state and in the molten state, more preferably stored in the heated state, and / or Or it adjusts to a predetermined ratio in a heating state, and is used for manufacture of a water absorbing resin.
- the raw material (preferably the modified raw material) of the water absorbent resin powder transported in the heated state is not particularly limited as long as it is a raw material of the water absorbent resin powder. It is suitably used as a crosslinking agent or a surface coating agent.
- the transportation of the non-polymeric organic compound means the movement of the non-polymeric organic compound, and includes fluid transportation by a pipeline or the like, the storage container itself or a transportation container filled with the compound (for example, a container, Transportation by lorry, tanker), and combinations thereof.
- the non-polymeric organic compound is produced and then transported to a water-absorbent resin production plant, or transport in a production process in the water-absorbent resin production plant, preferably both are applied.
- the non-highly divided organic compound in a heated state, particularly in a heated and melted state.
- the non-polymeric organic compound can be easily and accurately transported to the water absorbent resin production plant after being produced, and used or stored in the water absorbent resin production plant for heat melting. Can be performed as it is.
- the pipeline In the manufacturing process of the water-absorbent resin, in the case of fluid transportation using a pipeline or the like, the pipeline need not be heated or kept warm unless solidified in the middle of transportation.
- heating and heat insulation of the container during transportation is optional, but considering the deformation and breakage of the container due to solidification, the trouble of remelting, etc., heating and heat insulation so as to maintain the molten state It is preferable to apply.
- the heating and heat retaining method during transportation can be performed by the same means as during storage.
- strainer In the transport process, it is preferable to use a strainer.
- the strainer is appropriately installed on the fluid transportation system with a mesh or wire mesh, particularly in front of the suction port of the transfer pump.
- the strainer aperture or hole diameter of the strainer is appropriately determined, but is in the range of 10 to 5000 ⁇ m, more preferably 100 to 2000 ⁇ m, and the aperture ratio is also appropriately determined to be about 10 to 90%.
- the present invention provides a water-absorbent resin that is transported to the manufacturing process of the water-absorbent resin powder in a heated / molten state after the production of the non-polymeric organic compound that is at least one of the raw materials of the water-absorbent resin powder, if necessary after storage.
- a method for transporting powder raw materials is provided. From the aspect of effectiveness, the non-polymeric organic compound that is a raw material of the water-absorbent resin powder is solid at room temperature, and as a surface cross-linking agent for the water-absorbent resin powder due to its large influence on the physical properties of the water-absorbent resin powder.
- the surface cross-linking agent includes one or more dehydration-reactive surface cross-linking agents, and further, an alkylene carbonate compound is used as the dehydration-reactive surface cross-linking agent, and in particular, the alkylene carbonate compound is ethylene carbonate. It is preferable. More preferably, the surface cross-linking agent contains at least an alkylene carbonate compound and a polyhydric alcohol compound.
- the production of the water-absorbent resin powder can be performed simply and stably. If it is not heated or melted, the viscosity will not be constant depending on the outside air temperature. Especially for solid compounds around room temperature, the raw material may be solid (powder, paste, block) or liquid depending on the temperature change from one day to one year. There is. For this reason, the flowability and shape of raw materials change greatly depending on the outside air temperature, so that they can be accepted into the raw material manufacturing process (purchasing / conveying / transporting from raw material manufacturers) or the raw material in the manufacturing process of water absorbent resin powder. Transportation from the storage (tank) (especially transportation by pipeline) becomes difficult, which is not preferable.
- Heating temperature The heating temperature during transportation is appropriately determined depending on the melting point, viscosity, thermal stability, etc. of the raw material, but is 30 to 90 ° C., further 40 to 80 ° C., 50 to 70 ° C. If the heating temperature during transportation is much higher than the melting point, it is disadvantageous in terms of energy, and depending on the compound, decomposition or coloring may occur during storage. Conversely, if the temperature is too low, the book In the solution of the problems of the invention, the effect is difficult to appear.
- the transportation is performed using one or more transporters of tank lorries, tankers, containers, and pipelines, but the heating of the raw materials may be performed by the transporters used for the transport described above.
- the raw material that has been heated, particularly heated and melted may be carried into a transporter such as a tank lorry, a container, or a pipeline before being carried into the container. Good.
- the transport unit When transporting to the manufacturing process of water-absorbent resin powder in a batch manner with a tank lorry or container, the transport unit is appropriately determined from 100 to 20000L, and further 500 to 15000L, and the material is made of metal (especially the inner surface is SUS). Or a resin (especially polyethylene), and the shape is appropriately selected such as a cube, a cylinder, a column, an inverted cone, or an inverted pyramid. Among these, a heat retaining / warming type thermal container or lorry is preferably used.
- the transport amount In the case of transporting fluid through a pipeline, the transport amount is also determined as appropriate, and is adjusted at a flow rate of, for example, 0.1 to 1000 [m 3 / hr], and further 1 to 100 [m 3 / hr].
- transport in the heated and melted state is preferably applied to transport over a relatively long distance, and the transport distance is 10 km or more, and further 20 to 1000 km.
- various transportation means such as tank trucks and tankers, such as land transportation or sea transportation, are used, and such means are delivered to a manufacturing plant (plant) of the water absorbent resin powder.
- the delivered raw materials are stored as necessary at the manufacturing plant, and then transported, preferably pipelines, more preferably heated or insulated pipelines to prepare the raw material for the water absorbent resin powder (for example, a predetermined ratio of the surface crosslinking agent aqueous solution). To be adjusted).
- a mass flow meter and a Coriolis type mass flow meter are used among many flow meters because of the accuracy and stability, and also the physical property stability of the water-absorbent resin powder. It is preferable to manufacture the water-absorbent resin powder by controlling the flow rate of the heated raw material, particularly the heated and melted raw material, with a mass flow meter.
- Coriolis type mass flowmeter is suitable for flow rate adjustment when mixing the above compounds (especially surface cross-linking agent and its solvent) to a predetermined ratio and mixing with water-absorbing resin of surface cross-linking agent aqueous solution after mixing. Is done.
- Mass flow meter preferably Coriolis type mass flow meter
- the present inventors have found that troubles in the manufacturing process and a decrease in productivity (workability, handling of raw materials) are caused by the temperature of the day or season. We focused on the change. It has been found that such a problem is remarkable in a solid raw material having a relatively low melting point (particularly, a melting point of 15 to 100 ° C.).
- alkylene carbonate is used as a surface cross-linking agent, ethylene glycol is by-produced in the water-absorbent resin, and the cause thereof is derived from decomposition in the aqueous alkylene carbonate solution before mixing with the water-absorbent resin. It has been found that the decomposition of the alkylene carbonate used in the process leads to fluctuations and deterioration of physical properties after surface crosslinking.
- the present inventors are due to subtle fluctuations in the concentration and ratio of the modifier mixture to be mixed with the water-absorbent resin, in particular, the surface cross-linking agent aqueous solution, which is one cause of the fluctuation and decrease in the physical properties of the water-absorbent resin. It was found that it originated from subtle fluctuations in the concentration and ratio of the modifier mixture, especially the surface cross-linking agent aqueous solution, due to temperature changes from day to season.
- one cause of the fluctuations in the properties of the water-absorbent resin is that the organic compound and water used for the additive (the water-absorbing resin modifier, especially the surface cross-linking agent) to the water-absorbent resin powder.
- the problem was solved by using a specific flow meter when a predetermined ratio was found, and the subtle difference in the mixing ratio was found.
- the heated non-polymeric organic compound was measured with a mass flow meter, particularly a Coriolis mass flow meter, and mixed with the water-absorbent resin powder to solve the problem.
- the non-polymeric organic compound whose flow rate is measured is a surface cross-linking agent of the water-absorbent resin powder, and more preferably, one or a plurality of surface cross-linking agents are used since the effect on physical properties is large in terms of effects.
- the dehydration-reactive surface cross-linking agent is an alkylene carbonate compound, and particularly preferably the alkylene carbonate compound is ethylene carbonate (melting point: 37 ° C.).
- JIS Japanese Industrial Standards
- JIS-B7551 float type area flow meter
- JIS-B7552 fluid flow meter-instrumental difference test method
- JIS-B7553 partial flume flow meter
- JIS-B7554 electromagnétique flow meter
- JIS-B-Z8761 flow measurement method using float area flow meter
- JIS-Z8762 flow measurement method using throttle mechanism
- JIS-Z8765 flow measurement method using turbine flow meter
- It is specified in JIS-Z-8766 flow rate measurement method using a vortex flowmeter.
- a deviation in the vibration phase of the measuring tube is detected by the outlet and inlet sensors, and the microprocessor analyzes and uses this information to calculate the mass flow rate.
- the fluid density can be directly measured by the resonance frequency of the measuring tube, and the temperature of the measuring tube is also measured in order to correct the influence of temperature. This signal corresponds to the temperature of the process and can also be used as an output signal.
- the Coriolis mass flowmeter is suitably used not only for the preparation of the surface cross-linking agent at a predetermined ratio, but also for the addition of the prepared surface cross-linking agent to the water absorbent resin.
- volumetric flow meter (Volumetric mass flow meter) The volumetric flow meter directly measures the flow rate with “ ⁇ ”, and as “automatic continuous cage”, a “mover” such as a piston or a rotor and a “case” enclosing it form a space.
- a “mover” such as a piston or a rotor and a “case” enclosing it form a space.
- the rotor When fluid is flowed from the inlet, pressure is applied to the tooth surface of the oval gear (hereinafter referred to as the rotor), and if the fluid is supplied continuously, the rotation operation is performed continuously, and the oval flow meter rotates.
- the flow rate is measured by measuring the crescent-shaped “ ⁇ ” volume between the rotor and the case each time the child makes one revolution.
- Mass flowmeters include capillary, hot wire, semiconductor, and flow sensor types.
- the main unit is composed of a laminar flow element or the like provided in the bypass flow path, and an electric circuit unit for calculating and processing a mass flow signal from the flow sensor.
- ultrasonic mass flow meter There are several methods for ultrasonic flowmeters, such as propagation time difference method, propagation time reciprocal difference method, sing-around method, and Doppler method. Among them, the most frequently used propagation time reciprocal difference method (frequency difference method) is used. is there. The volume flow rate can be obtained by multiplying the flow velocity by the pipe cross-sectional area A. In an actual flow meter, the detected flow velocity value is corrected to the average flow velocity of the surface by the “flow correction coefficient”, and then the flow rate is obtained by multiplying the cross-sectional area.
- propagation time difference method propagation time reciprocal difference method
- sing-around method sing-around method
- Doppler method Doppler method.
- the volume flow rate can be obtained by multiplying the flow velocity by the pipe cross-sectional area A.
- the detected flow velocity value is corrected to the average flow velocity of the surface by the “flow correction coefficient”, and then the flow rate is obtained by multiplying the cross-sectional area.
- the non-polymer organic substance is transported or stored in a heated state.
- the transported or stored non-polymeric organic matter is mixed at a predetermined ratio, particularly an aqueous solution having a predetermined concentration, and mixed with the water absorbent resin, particularly used for surface cross-linking of the water absorbent resin.
- a predetermined ratio particularly an aqueous solution having a predetermined concentration
- the water absorbent resin particularly used for surface cross-linking of the water absorbent resin.
- the non-polymeric organic substance is a surface cross-linking agent, and further is an alkylene carbonate compound, particularly the surface cross-linking agent described in (2-8) and (2-9) above.
- a suitable mixing ratio is an aqueous solution at the ratio and concentration described in the surface cross-linking.
- a technique for heating a surface cross-linking agent such as alkylene carbonate as an aqueous solution having a predetermined concentration has been known.
- ethylene glycol is by-produced before being added to the water-absorbent resin powder.
- the alkylene carbonate, particularly ethylene carbonate (melting point 36 ° C.) is heated to the above range, particularly heated and melted, and mixed with the water-absorbent resin powder as an aqueous solution immediately before use.
- the mixing of the non-polymeric organic compound or the aqueous solution containing the non-polymeric organic compound and the water-absorbent resin powder may be carried out in batch or continuous, but is preferably continuously mixed to the water-absorbing resin that is stirred or fluidized. Mixing is preferable, and spray mixing is more preferable.
- a mixer equipped with a Coriolis mass flow meter is preferable, and a fluidized bed or a vertical or horizontal stirring mixer is used. Suitable vertical stirring mixers are exemplified in International Publication No. WO2010 / 133460 pamphlet, International Publication No. WO2010 / 100936 pamphlet, International Publication No.
- the mixing time is preferably 3 minutes or less, more preferably 1 minute or less, particularly 0.5 minutes or less, and the stirring speed when mixing the water absorbent resin with stirring is preferably 10 to 10000 rpm, ⁇ 5000 rpm is more preferable, and is appropriately determined from the apparatus and production amount.
- the present invention is in addition to the first production method for storing the non-polymeric organic compound (preferably used as a surface crosslinking agent) described in [3] in a heated state and the third production method for use in a molten state.
- a second production method of polyacrylic acid (salt) water-absorbent resin powder an organic compound and water are mixed with polyacrylic acid (salt) water-absorbent resin powder, and the mixing ratio is controlled by a mass flow meter.
- a manufacturing method (second method) is provided.
- the second production method is preferably a surface crosslinking agent as described in (2-8) (3-1) above
- the organic compound is selected from the alkylene carbonate compounds and polyhydric alcohol compounds described in (2-8) and (2-9) above, and at the same time and / or separately, described in (2-9)
- a surface crosslinking agent mixed with an ion binding surface crosslinking agent is used. More preferred is a method for producing a water absorbent resin using a mass flow meter, and particularly preferred is a Coriolis mass flow meter.
- the physical properties of the water-absorbing resin produced over a long period of time are highly stabilized.
- the stability of the flow rate is 2% or less, 1% or less, 0.5% or less, or 0.2% or less with respect to the target flow rate. In recent years, it has been found that the stability of the flow rate is more important because it increases as the target physical properties of the water-absorbent resin increase and become three or more components and four or more components.
- the surface cross-linking agent is used for measuring a plurality of surface cross-linking agents, further 3 or more components, 4 or more components.
- a preferred component is the composition described in (2-8) above, for example, a three-component surface cross-linking agent comprising a plurality of covalently bonded surface cross-linking agents (preferably a polyhydric alcohol and an alkylene carbonate) and water, If necessary, it is suitably used for a surface crosslinking agent having four or more components including a surfactant, an ion crosslinking surface crosslinking agent, an organic acid and the like.
- There is no upper limit to the number of components that can be measured using a Coriolis mass flow meter and it is determined as appropriate in consideration of the physical properties of each component and the degree of influence on the finished water absorbent resin. is there.
- the Coriolis mass flowmeter is also preferably used for measuring the amount of each time the surface cross-linking agent is added a plurality of times, and the ion cross-linking after the addition and reaction of the covalent surface cross-linking agent. It can also be applied to the case where an addition reaction of a functional crosslinking agent is performed.
- the surface cross-linking agent is preferably stored in a heated state in advance as described in [2].
- the average residence time from the preparation of the aqueous solution of the alkylene carbonate compound to addition is within 3 hours, Furthermore, the continuous production method is preferably within 1 hour and within 0.5 hour.
- the alkylene carbonate compound is preferably ethylene carbonate, and it is preferable that the alkylene carbonate compound and the polyhydric alcohol compound are mixed with the water-absorbent resin and then reacted by heating. Further, it is preferable to mix the ion-bonding surface cross-linking agent described in (2-9) simultaneously with and / or separately from the alkylene carbonate compound and the like.
- the alkylene carbonate compound especially the ethylene carbonate compound in the surface cross-linking agent, decomposes in the surface cross-linking agent aqueous solution or on the water-absorbing resin surface before mixing or reacting with the water-absorbing resin powder. Therefore, it is not preferable because the physical properties are lowered after surface crosslinking and ethylene glycol by-product (hydrolyzate of ethylene carbonate) is produced.
- the temperature of the aqueous solution of the surface cross-linking agent is appropriately determined based on solubility, viscosity, etc., but is in the range of ⁇ 10 to 100 ° C., further 5 to 50 ° C., 10 to 90 ° C., 35 to 70 ° C., 40 to 65 ° C. .
- the temperature is high, the cyclic surface cross-linking agent tends to be hydrolyzed or the mixing property tends to be lowered before mixing or reacting with the water absorbent resin powder.
- the average residence time is more important in order to avoid hydrolysis of the cyclic surface crosslinking agent.
- the average residence time in the present invention is defined as follows. (I) In the case of a batch type, this is the time from when the raw material is charged until the entire amount is used up. However, in the case where the next raw material is input before the first input raw material is used up, it is time until the previous input amount equivalent is used. Further, in the case of mixing with the water absorbent resin after being transferred from the preparation tank to the metering tank, it is the time from being put into the preparation tank until being mixed with the water absorbent resin. In addition, when the time fluctuates due to a difference in input amount or usage amount, a weighted average value of each time weighted by each input amount is obtained.
- the average storage amount obtained by adding up the average storage amount of the preparation tank into which the raw material is charged and the volume from the preparation tank outlet to the nozzle for mixing with the water absorbent resin is added to the water absorbent resin.
- the value divided by the input amount per unit time When the production stops at night or on holidays, the remaining time in the system is added to the stop time and becomes a value obtained by a weighted average.
- the non-polymerized organic compound is transported (during the transport process), stored, or prepared, especially a mixture, particularly an aqueous solution, is allowed to pass through the strainer to separate the contained solids.
- the filter medium is a resin such as polypropylene or stainless steel, and the separation efficiency of the filter medium used for particles having a particle diameter of 30 ⁇ m (as defined by the mesh) and further 10 ⁇ m is at least 90%. preferable.
- a filter material for particles having a particle size of 30 ⁇ m is preferably at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, particularly advantageously at least 90% or at least 95% and above.
- Filter medium or filter type particularly advantageously, in the case of the process according to the invention, a filter material having a separation efficiency for particles having a particle size of 20 ⁇ m of at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, particularly advantageously at least 90% or at least 95% and above. (Filter medium or filter type) is used.
- a filter material having a separation efficiency of at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, particularly preferably at least 90% or at least 95% and above for particles having a particle size of 10 ⁇ m is used.
- a filter with a separation efficiency for particles having a particle size of 5 ⁇ m is at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, particularly advantageously at least 90% or at least 95% and above.
- a material (filter medium or filter type) is used.
- the filter material has a separation efficiency of at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, particularly advantageously at least 90% or at least 95% and above for particles having a particle size of 1 ⁇ m (Filter medium or filter type) is used.
- the temperature of the part having the strainer may be maintained at a temperature higher than the temperature at which the melted or dissolved state can be maintained, and is preferably maintained in the range of ⁇ 5 ° C. to + 5 ° C. with respect to the liquid temperature just before flowing into the strainer. Most preferably, the temperature is substantially the same. Filtering non-polymeric organic materials, especially surface cross-linking agents, and even alkylene carbonate compounds in a heated state can prevent contamination and coloring of the water-absorbent resin powder, and trouble and stop of continuous operation Can also be prevented.
- a filter medium for example, a filter web, a filter cloth, a fiber layer, a sintered material or a deposited layer (for example, a fine layer) is used for removing foreign substances such as a polymer dissolved in the non-polymer organic compound.
- a filter medium for example, a filter web, a filter cloth, a fiber layer, a sintered material or a deposited layer (for example, a fine layer) is used for removing foreign substances such as a polymer dissolved in the non-polymer organic compound.
- a filter medium for example, a filter web, a filter cloth, a fiber layer, a sintered material or a deposited layer (for example, a fine layer) is used for removing foreign substances such as a polymer dissolved in the non-polymer organic compound.
- a bag filter or a candle filter can be used for the strainer.
- the bag filter not only a sewing filter bag from various materials but also a completely welded, preferably multilayer filter bag can be used.
- Filter candles also take into account rolled candles, melt blown candles and resin bonded filter candles.
- the filter bag and filter candle can be used not only in a single layer filter casing but also in a multilayer filter casing. For example, polypropylene and stainless steel are taken into account as the casing material.
- stainless steel, polypropylene, cellulose, polyester, metal fabric (stainless steel such as chromium-nickel-stainless steel), phenol resin-bonded acrylic fiber, and the like can be taken into consideration for the filter medium.
- a more particularly advantageous material for the filter to be used according to the invention is polypropylene.
- activated carbon can also be used.
- Filtration by the strainer is preferably performed with a pressure difference between the fluid before and after the strainer, and the pressure difference is preferably 10 mbar to 5 bar, more preferably 20 mbar to 3 bar, further preferably 20 mbar to 2 bar, and more preferably 20 mbar to 1.5 bar. Most preferred. If a higher pressure differential is required, the filter should be replaced.
- the filtration using the strainer may be performed at the stage when it is received from the raw material manufacturer or put into the preparation tank.
- the water-absorbing resins having the following high physical properties (4-1) to (4-8) are produced. Suitable for continuous production in quantity.
- the first water-absorbent resin is a polyacrylic acid (salt) -based water-absorbent resin surface-crosslinked with alkylene carbonate (especially ethylene carbonate) and has an internal cell ratio of 0.5% or more (specified in the specification).
- a polyacrylic acid (salt) -based water-absorbing resin having a residual ethylene glycol of 1000 ppm or less (in the measurement method (2) of (5-16) below) is provided.
- the first water-absorbent resin is a polyacrylic acid (salt) -based water-absorbent resin surface-crosslinked with an alkylene carbonate compound (particularly ethylene carbonate), and has an internal cell ratio of 0.5% or more (in the specification)
- a polyacrylic acid (salt) -based water-absorbing resin having a residual ethylene glycol of 1000 ppm or less (as defined in the following measurement method (2-16) (5-16)).
- the water-absorbent resin of the present invention is porous showing high speed, it has a small amount of residual ethylene glycol derived from ethylene carbonate, and is easily hydrophobized (unlike polyhydric alcohol which is a hydrophilic surface cross-linking agent). There is little influence of the carbonate compound, and it is hydrophilic at high speed.
- the water-absorbent resin of the present invention is porous exhibiting high speed (high FSR), it has little residual ethylene glycol derived from ethylene carbonate, and is hydrophobic (unlike polyhydric alcohol which is a hydrophilic surface cross-linking agent). There is little influence of the alkylene carbonate compound which is easily converted, and it is hydrophilic at high speed (high FSR).
- a polyacrylic acid (salt) water-absorbing resin having an internal cell ratio of 0.5% or more, preferably surface-crosslinked with alkylene carbonate (especially ethylene carbonate) and having a residual ethylene glycol of 1000 ppm or less is provided.
- a polyacrylic acid (salt) -based water-absorbing resin surface-crosslinked with ethylene carbonate The water absorption capacity (AAP) for a 0.9 wt% sodium chloride aqueous solution under a pressure of 4.8 kPa is preferably 20 [g / g].
- the water absorption capacity (CRC) under no pressure is preferably 10 [g when the internal bubble ratio is 0.5% or more and the residual ethylene glycol is 1000 ppm or less as defined in the specification (measurement method (2) below (5-16)).
- the 69 wt% saline flow conductivity (SFC) also provides a polyacrylic acid (salt) based water absorbent resin of 1 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g ⁇ 1 ].
- AAP Water absorption capacity under pressure
- AAP Water absorption capacity under pressure
- the water absorption capacity (AAP) is preferably controlled to 20 [g / g] or more, more preferably 22 [g / g] or more, and further preferably 24 [g / g] or more.
- the upper limit is usually 40 [g / g], further 35 [g / g], especially about 30 [g / g] in the case of a load of 4.8 kP from the balance with other physical properties. Is preferred.
- the water absorption capacity (CRC) under no pressure is preferably 10 [g / g] or more, more preferably 20 [g / g] or more, still more preferably 25 [g / g] or more, particularly preferably 30 [g. / G] or more.
- CRC is in the range of 25 to 35 [g / g].
- Non-Patent Document 1 discloses the water absorption ratio of a commercially available water absorbent resin (there is no detailed description of the measurement method). Specifically, the fact that Aquakeep is 65.4 [g / g] and Sanwet IM-1000 is 58.3 [g / g] is disclosed, but the problem of the present invention (both liquid permeability and water absorption speed are compatible). In the present invention, it is preferable to control the water absorption capacity (CRC) under no pressure within the above range.
- CRC water absorption capacity
- SFC saline flow conductivity
- SFC is a well-known measurement method and can be defined by the method described in US Pat. No.
- the water-absorbent resin powder with controlled closed cell ratio according to the present invention can achieve both high SFC and FSR.
- the upper limit of SFC is appropriately determined, but is preferably about 1000 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g ⁇ 1 ] in view of balance with other physical properties.
- a preferable SFC range is 20 to 150 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g ⁇ 1 ].
- SFC is a well-known measurement method and can be defined by the method described in US Pat. No. 5,562,646, for example.
- the closed cell rate is controlled, the water-absorbent resin powder can achieve both high SFC and FSR.
- the liquid permeability is improved, especially SFC is improved, particularly to the SFC in the above range, and in particular, the SFC is 20 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g ⁇ 1 ] or more.
- the effect is remarkably exhibited, which is preferable.
- the water-absorbent resin powder of the present invention (in particular, the first water-absorbent resin powder in which the internal cell ratio is controlled or the second water-absorbent resin powder containing a surfactant on the inside and the surface) has an SFC of 45 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g ⁇ 1 ] or more, 50 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g ⁇ 1 ] or more, and further 100 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g ⁇ 1 ]
- the SFC reduction width due to damage is preferably 15 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g ⁇ 1 ], as will be described later in Examples.
- the water-soluble content is preferably 35% by weight or less, more preferably 25% by weight or less, still more preferably 15% by weight or less, and particularly preferably 10% by weight or less.
- the water-absorbent resin powder of the present invention has a water absorption rate (FSR) of 1 g of water-absorbent resin powder with respect to 20 g of physiological saline is usually 0.05 [g / g. / S] or more, preferably 0.1 [g / g / s] or more, more preferably 0.15 [g / g / s] or more, still more preferably 0.20 [g / g / s] or more, Preferably it is 0.25 [g / g / s] or more.
- the measurement method of FSR is defined in International Publication No. 2009/016055.
- the water-absorbent resin powder having a controlled internal cell ratio according to the present invention can achieve both high SFC and FRS.
- the bulk specific gravity of the water-absorbent resin powder is usually 0.58 to 0.8 (synonymous with 0.58 to 0.80) [g / cm 3 ], preferably 0. 0.6 to 0.8 (synonymous with 0.60 to 0.80) [g / cm 3 ], more preferably 0.63 to 0.77 [g / cm 3 ], still more preferably 0.8. 66 to 0.74 [g / cm 3 ].
- it has internal bubbles (other name; porous structure), but has a high bulk specific gravity.
- Non-Patent Document 1 discloses the bulk specific gravity of a commercially available water-absorbent resin powder (the measurement method is not described in detail). Specifically, the fact that Aquakeep is 0.4430 [g / cm 3 ], Sanwet IM-1000 is 0.5624 [g / cm 3 ], and Drytech 510 is 0.8989 [g / cm 3 ] is disclosed. In the present invention, it is preferable to control within the above range. Bulk specific gravity can be controlled by the production method of the present invention.
- the surface tension (specified by the measurement method of the example) is preferably 60 [mN / m] or more, more preferably 65 [mN / m] or more, and further preferably 67 [mN / m]. As described above, it is particularly preferably 70 [mN / m] or more, most preferably 72 [mN / m] or more, and there is no substantial reduction in surface tension.
- the upper limit is usually 75 [mN / m]. If the desired lower limit is not reached, the surface wettability of the swollen gel is increased and the dry feeling is impaired, and coexistence with the pulp decreases the suction power of the aqueous solution such as urine from the pulp, which increases the return amount. There is also.
- the water absorbent resin powder obtained by the above production method of the present invention preferably has a predetermined amount of voids inside.
- a suitable surface cross-linking agent is a cyclic dehydration-reactive surface cross-linking agent, and further has a specific range of internal cell ratio (cell content inside the water-absorbent resin powder, also known as void ratio, closed cell ratio).
- a novel water-absorbent resin powder is provided.
- the present invention is a polyacrylic acid-based water-absorbent resin powder, which is surface-crosslinked with a cyclic dehydration-reactive crosslinking agent, and has an internal cell ratio (also known as closed cell) defined by the following formula:
- the water-absorbent resin powder is characterized in that the ratio is 2.8 to 6.6%.
- the polyacrylic acid-based water absorbent resin powder has a slight difference due to the neutralization rate, the type of the salt (for example, sodium polyacrylate having a neutralization rate of 75 mol%) and a trace amount of raw material. Indicates a constant value.
- the “apparent density” of the water-absorbent resin powder is a density that takes into account voids (other names; bubbles, particularly closed cells) inside the particles.
- voids other names; bubbles, particularly closed cells
- the water-absorbing resin obtained by foaming polymerization or the water-absorbing resin that has undergone the granulation process are not connected to the outside (closed pores; voids: independent). Bubbles).
- the density of the water-absorbent resin is measured by dry density measurement, since the introduced gas cannot reach the closed pores, the measured density is an apparent value obtained from the volume containing the closed pores (closed cells). It becomes density.
- the effective number of the measured value of the apparent density and the true density is appropriately determined by a measuring device or the like, and is, for example, 3 or 4 digits after the decimal point.
- the apparent density of the water-absorbent resin powder is described in p. 197 to 199 discloses wet measurement in which the apparent density of the water-absorbent resin powder after 40 to 60 mesh-cut is obtained by determining the volume with methanol.
- the apparent density of the present invention is the dry measurement described above for all the particle sizes. And the internal porosity defined by the apparent density is important for the water-absorbent resin powder.
- the density of the water-absorbent resin powder can be accurately measured by dry density measurement using a predetermined gas.
- the measurement principle of the solid dry density measurement is well known in the constant volume expansion method, which is a method for obtaining the solid volume with a specific gas. Specifically, when the volume VCELL of the sample chamber and the volume VEXP of the expansion chamber are known, if the pressures (gauge pressures) P1g and P2g are measured, the sample volume VSAMP is obtained, and the sample mass is measured separately. The density can be obtained by dividing the mass by the volume (reference: Shimadzu Corporation website; http://www.shimadzu.co.jp/powder/lecture/middle/m04.html).
- the known value may be used as it is, and the known value because there is a slight change depending on the trace amount raw material of the water-absorbent resin powder. If it is unknown, it may be obtained by the method described later.
- the true density in the present invention is the dry density of the water-absorbent resin powder in which closed cells in the powder are broken or made into open cells by pulverization and then substantially free of closed cells by the method described later (see FIG. 3). It is calculated
- the open cell is a bubble that communicates with the outside and is not counted as the volume of the powder when measuring the dry density of the powder. Therefore, the closed cell and the open cell can be easily discriminated by measuring the dry density of the powder.
- the internal cell ratio of the polyacrylic acid (salt) water-absorbent resin powder of the present invention is preferably 0.5% or more, 1.0 to 8.0%, 1.3 to 6.7%, 2.8 to 6.6%, preferably 3.0 to 6.5%, more preferably 3.5 to 6.5%, particularly preferably 3.8 to 6.5%. Most preferably, the content is 4.0 to 6.5%.
- the internal bubble rate is less than 0.5%, the effect of improving the water absorption rate (FSR) is small, and conversely, when the internal bubble rate exceeds 6.6%, especially 8.0%, the damage resistance decreases, Along with this, liquid permeability (SFC) decreases, which is not preferable.
- the internal bubble rate can be appropriately controlled by the bubble content at the time of polymerization, the drying temperature (expansion at a high temperature), and the like.
- p. 197 to 199 and Table 5.6 include commercially available (polyacrylic acid) water-absorbing resins (5 types), 40 to 60 mesh-Cut (corresponding to upper and lower limits of 425 to 250 ⁇ m powder) BET surface area, water absorption Disclose speed, water absorption, bulk specific gravity and apparent density.
- Non-Patent Document 1 as specific values of the apparent density by the methanol wet method, trade names Arasorb 720 (Arakawa Chemical) and Sanwet IM-1000 (Sanyo Kasei) are 1.500 [g / cm 3 ], Aridall 1078 ( American Colloid) discloses 1.250 [g / cm 3 ], Aquakeep (Sumitomo Seika) and Drytech 510 (Dow Chemical) disclose 1.667 [g / cm 3 ]. That is, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses five types of commercially available water-absorbing resins having an apparent density of 1.250 to 1.667 [g / cm 3 ].
- Non-Patent Document 1 the apparent density (methanol wet method) of 40-60 mesh-Cut products is different from the dry density of the entire particle size of the present application, and there is no description of individual true density or chemical composition.
- Aquakeep reverse phase suspension polymerization / spherical particles
- Table 5.6 the internal cell ratio of the commercially available water-absorbent resin (Table 5.6) is 0% or close to 0% (Aquakeep, Drytech 510), and about 10 to 25% (Arasorb720, Sanwet 1M-1000, Aridall 1078) based on the above assumption.
- the present invention is characterized in that the internal cell ratio (2.8 to 6.6%) and the particle size are controlled to a specific narrow range (the ratio of the particle size of 850 to 150 ⁇ m is 95% by weight or
- US Pat. No. 5,856,370 uses an azo compound, so that the density in a dry state exceeds 1.0 [g / cm 3 ], and the density in a swollen state (measured with a specific gravity bottle) is 1.0.
- [G / cm 3 ] porous water-absorbent resin is disclosed, but the specific internal cell ratio and particle size of the present invention are not disclosed.
- the water-absorbent resin powder of the present invention is obtained by foam polymerization, it has high impact resistance, so there are few fine powders, the ratio of the particle size of 850 to 150 ⁇ m is 95% by weight or more, and the above (2-6)
- the upper and lower limits (850 to 150 ⁇ m / further, 710 ⁇ m to 150 ⁇ m) and the weight average particle diameter (D50) are shown.
- a technique for reducing the particle size as in Patent Document 10 is known to improve the water absorption speed, but such a method involves an increase in fine powder, but the present invention does not have such a problem.
- the more preferable particle size of the water absorbent resin powder of the present invention is as described in the above (2-6).
- the water-absorbent resin powder (water-absorbent resin) of the present invention is obtained by foam polymerization, a large amount of surfactant (for example, 0.1 to 10% by weight) is used for foaming as in Patent Documents 28 and 29. ) Is not required, the surface tension is not reduced, the surface tension is 60 [mN / m] or more, and the surface tension is in the range of (4-7) described later.
- the surface tension can be adjusted by the type and amount of surfactant used, but is preferably used within the range of (2-1).
- the water-absorbent resin powder of the present invention using the production method of the present invention (reducing gas solubility) as an example of the production method has a particle size ratio of 850 to 150 ⁇ m of 95% by weight or more, preferably 98% by weight or more.
- the polyacrylic acid-based water-absorbent resin powder is 99% by weight or more
- the surface tension is 60 [mN / m] or more
- the internal cell ratio defined by the above formula is 2.8 to 6.6%. It is a water-absorbent resin powder characterized by being.
- Such a water-absorbent resin powder of the present invention is obtained, for example, by a production method including the above-described surface crosslinking, particularly surface crosslinking up to the above-mentioned CRC range, and preferably, the absorption capacity under pressure at a load of 50 [g / cm 2 ].
- This is a water-absorbent resin powder having (AAP) of 15 [g / g] or more.
- the preferred range of AAP is as follows. When AAP is low, when the water absorbent resin concentration is high in paper diapers, sufficient water absorption performance may not be exhibited.
- Such a water-absorbent resin powder of the present invention is obtained, for example, by a production method including the above-described surface crosslinking, particularly surface crosslinking up to the above-mentioned CRC range, and preferably has a saline flow conductivity (SFC) of 20 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g ⁇ 1 ] or more.
- SFC saline flow conductivity
- Such a water-absorbent resin powder preferably further contains a liquid permeability improver selected from polyvalent metal cations, polyamine polymers and water-insoluble fine particles exemplified in the above (2-6) in the surface crosslinking.
- a liquid permeability improver selected from polyvalent metal cations, polyamine polymers and water-insoluble fine particles exemplified in the above (2-6) in the surface crosslinking.
- the water-absorbent resin powder of the present invention preferably further contains a surfactant by the method exemplified in the above (2-1) or (2-2).
- a surfactant By containing the surfactant, it is possible to obtain a water-absorbing resin powder having more excellent impact resistance.
- a suitable use amount is in the above-mentioned range, and it is preferably added as an aqueous solution.
- Such a water-absorbent resin powder of the present invention preferably further contains a surfactant in the above range or the above range of surface tension by using a surfactant during polymerization or before and after surface crosslinking.
- Such a water-absorbent resin powder of the present invention preferably contains 5 to 60 ppm, more preferably 5 to 40 ppm, still more preferably 5 to 30 ppm of p-methoxyphenol (MEHQ) as shown in (2-1) above.
- MEHQ p-methoxyphenol
- Non-Patent Document 1 In “2.5.3 Inhibition” (polymerization inhibitor) (p.39-44) of Non-Patent Document 1, p-methoxyphenol in commercially available water-absorbing resins (8 types) in Table 2.5 is 16 Although the fact that it is ⁇ 151 ppm is disclosed, Non-Patent Document 1 does not disclose the effects of the present application (preventing coloring and improving light resistance by controlling to a specific range).
- the neutralization step is performed with a basic substance having an iron content of 0 to 7 ppm
- the polymerization step includes 90 to 100 mol% of acrylic acid (salt), and a monomer concentration of 30 to A condition in which a 55 wt% aqueous monomer solution is used with a radical polymerization initiator of 0.001 to 1 mol%, the maximum temperature reached during polymerization is 130 ° C. or less, and the polymerization time is 0.5 minutes to 3 hours.
- the drying step is the drying temperature of the particulate hydrous gel-like crosslinked polymer obtained in the polymerization step (including the gel refinement step).
- the p- methoxyphenol content of the resultant water-absorbent resin powder can be 5 ⁇ 60 ppm.
- Such a water-absorbent resin powder of the present invention preferably further contains an additive selected from a chelating agent, ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid, inorganic or organic reducing agent as shown in (2-9) above. Since such an additive has a large surface area, coloring and / or durability usually becomes a problem, but in the present invention, coloring and / or durability is improved.
- the water absorbent resin preferably has a predetermined amount of water content (as defined in the examples) of 15% by weight or less, more preferably 0.1 to 10% by weight, and a water content of 1 to 8% by weight. More preferably, it has.
- the water content is low, the water absorption rate (for example, FSR) and impact resistance are reduced, and conversely, when the water content is high, the water absorption capacity under no pressure (CRC) and the water absorption capacity under pressure (AAP) tend to decrease. It is in.
- the water content can be controlled by adjusting the heating temperature and time after polymerization, or by adding water.
- a polyacrylic acid-based water absorbent resin powder having a particle size ratio of 850 to 150 ⁇ m of 95% by weight or more, which is surface-crosslinked with an alkylene carbonate compound, preferably with an internal cell ratio defined by the following formula:
- a water-absorbent resin powder characterized by being 2.8 to 6.6%.
- Such a water-absorbing resin is preferably surface-crosslinked with an alkylene carbonate compound and a polyhydric alcohol compound. Furthermore, it is preferably cross-linked with an ion-binding surface cross-linking agent.
- Preferred physical properties are in the ranges described in the above (4-1) to (4-8).
- the physiological saline flow conductivity is 20 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g ⁇ 1 ] or more
- the water absorption rate (FSR) is 0.25 [g / g / s] or more.
- the absorption capacity without load (CRC) is 25 [g / g] or more
- the absorption capacity under load (AAP) at a load of 50 [g / cm 2 ] is 15 [g / g] or more.
- the water absorption capacity (CRC) under no load is 25 [g / g] or more, and the saline flow conductivity (SFC) is 20 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g ⁇ 1 ] or more. is there.
- the water absorbent resin powder of the present invention preferably further contains one or more liquid permeability improvers selected from the group consisting of polyvalent metal cations, polyamine polymers and water-insoluble fine particles.
- it further contains a surfactant. It further contains 5 to 60 ppm of p-methoxyphenol.
- it preferably further includes one or more additives selected from the group consisting of chelating agents, ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acids (salts), and inorganic or organic reducing agents.
- alkylene carbonate particularly ethylene carbonate
- ethylene carbonate is used as a surface cross-linking agent to improve physical properties (especially absorption capacity under load or liquid permeability under pressure)
- a large amount of surface cross-linking agent or reaction at high temperature is required. Therefore, even if it is a water-absorbing resin that does not use ethylene glycol as a raw material at all, or even if it uses a high-purity resin that contains substantially no ethylene glycol or ethylene glycol impurities contained in alkylene carbonate such as ethylene carbonate, It was found that ethylene glycol was produced as a by-product in the product.
- the present invention not only increases the purity of the raw material and reduces the ethylene glycol content in the particulate water-absorbing agent, but in order to achieve high physical properties, ethylene glycol and ethylene glycol-based materials are substantially used. This is based on the finding that ethylene glycol is produced as a by-product even when a high-purity raw material (especially ethylene carbonate) having no impurities is used.
- the alkylene carbonate compound hardly remains in the water-absorbent resin powder by performing the above production method (usually ND).
- the present invention provides a water-absorbing resin powder (second water-absorbing resin) that is safe and has high physical properties by the method for producing a water-absorbing resin powder.
- the first and second water-absorbing resins preferably satisfy various physical properties and compounds in “and”.
- the present invention relates to a polyacrylic acid (salt) water-absorbing property comprising less than 1000 ppm of ethylene glycol, 1000 to 10000 ppm of C3-C6 polyhydric alcohol, and 0.001 to 3% by weight of an ion-binding surface crosslinking agent. Resin powder.
- ethylene glycol in the order of less than 900 ppm, less than 800 ppm, and less than 700 ppm
- C3-C6 polyhydric alcohols in the order of 1000 to 8000 ppm, 1000 to 6000 ppm, and 1000 to 4000 ppm.
- the lower limit of the ethylene glycol content is preferably 100 ppm or more, more preferably 300 ppm or more in the water-absorbent resin powder.
- C3-C6 polyhydric alcohols C3 diols, particularly propylene glycol, are preferred.
- the more preferable range of the content of the ion-binding surface cross-linking agent is in accordance with the addition amount described in (2-9) Additive addition step.
- this water-absorbent resin powder has a water absorption capacity (CRC) of 25 to 35 [g / g] under no pressure and a saline flow conductivity (SFC) of 45 to 150 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g. ⁇ 1 ] is preferable. More preferably, the saline flow conductivity (SFC) is 50 to 150 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g ⁇ 1 ] and 70 to 150 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g ⁇ 1. ], Preferably in the order of 100 to 150 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g ⁇ 1 ].
- the range is as described in the above (4-8) internal cell rate and the novel water absorbent resin powder.
- the internal cell rate is 0.5% or more, 0. 5% or more, 1.0 to 8.0%, 1.3 to 6.7%, 2.8 to 6.6%, 3.0 to 6.5%, 3.5 to 6.5%, 3 It is preferable that the content is 0.8 to 6.5% in this order.
- the water-absorbent resin powder preferably contains ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid and / or a surfactant as described above.
- the water-absorbent resin powder having the composition as described above has excellent transportability, and physical properties are unlikely to deteriorate during the transport process by the user. Even if granulated particles are used from the viewpoint of the water absorption rate (FSR) or the above-mentioned internal bubble rate is high, the conveyance damage is hardly received, so that the physical properties are not easily lowered.
- FSR water absorption rate
- the solid content was measured as follows.
- the bulk specific gravity was measured according to JIS K 3362 using a bulk specific gravity measuring instrument (manufactured by Kuramochi Scientific Instruments). After 100.0 g of the water-absorbing resin powder mixed sufficiently to eliminate the unevenness due to the particle size is put into the funnel with the damper closed, the damper is quickly opened, and the water-absorbing resin powder is received in the receiver (weight W9 [G]). After the water-absorbing resin powder swelled from the receiver is scraped off with a glass rod, the weight (weight W10 [g]) of the receiver containing the water-absorbing resin powder is accurately weighed to 0.1 g, and the number is 4 Therefore, the bulk specific gravity was calculated.
- the temperature of the environment where the measurement was performed was 24.2 ° C.
- the relative humidity was 43% RH.
- the whiteness is an index indicating the whiteness of the powder, and is calculated using X, Y, Z values or L, a, b values.
- the WB value of the water-absorbent resin powder useful for comparing the degree of whiteness was measured using a spectral color difference meter.
- coloring (progress) during storage for a long period of time and coloring (progress) in sanitary materials are referred to as time-dependent coloring.
- the true density in the present invention was determined by measuring the dry density of the water-absorbent resin powder in which the internal closed cells were broken or formed into open cells by finely pulverizing them into a 45 ⁇ m passage through a JIS standard sieve.
- the bubble diameter (closed cell) contained in the water-absorbent resin is usually 1 to 300 ⁇ m.
- the portion close to the bubbles is preferentially pulverized at the time of pulverization, and the water-absorbent resin powder pulverized to 45 ⁇ m or less contains almost no closed cells. Therefore, the water-absorbent resin pulverized to 45 ⁇ m or less
- the true density of the water absorbent resin powder was determined by measuring the dry density of the powder.
- the true density was measured using a water absorbent resin powder pulverized to less than 45 ⁇ m of JIS standard sieve. That is, in a ball mill pot (made by Terraoka Co., Ltd., magnetic ball mill pot model No. 90, inner dimension: diameter 80 mm, height 75 mm, outer dimension: diameter 90 mm, height 110 mm), 400 g of water-absorbing resin powder 15.0 g. A cylindrical magnetic ball (diameter 13 mm, length 13 mm) was placed and pulverized for 2 hours at 60 Hz using a ball mill. As a result, a water-absorbing resin powder in which 70% by weight or more of the water-absorbing resin powder passed through a JIS standard sieve of 45 ⁇ m was obtained.
- p-methoxyphenol vs. water-absorbing resin
- ERT470.2-02 stirred is 1 hour
- the deterioration rate can be calculated from the difference between the 16-hour soluble matter (%) after the deterioration treatment and before the deterioration treatment.
- the individual soluble components % by weight are not particularly described, but they were all in the range of 15% by weight or less (10% by weight or less).
- the deterioration rate can be calculated from the difference in soluble content between the water-containing gel-like water-absorbing agent (after deterioration) and the water-absorbent resin powder (before deterioration).
- the individual soluble components are not particularly described, but they were all in the range of 15% by weight or less (10% by weight or less).
- Patent Document 37 is a method of measuring ethylene glycol further penetrating into the surface layer, while rinsing and measuring ethylene glycol on the surface of the powder fat using methanol in which the water absorbent resin powder does not swell. Then, it was swollen with physiological saline, and ethylene glycol was extracted with physiological saline.
- Teflon registered trademark
- a 35 mm Teflon (registered trademark) rotor put a 35 mm Teflon (registered trademark) rotor in a 260 ml polypropylene beaker, add 1 g of weighed water-absorbent resin powder, 100 g of 0.9% by mass sodium chloride aqueous solution, and add swollen gel particles (about 1 mm). The mixture was stirred for 1 hour with a magnetic stirrer.
- Production Example 1 As a continuous production device for water-absorbent resin powder (production capacity 1500 [kg / hr]), polymerization process, gel grinding process, drying process, grinding process, classification process, surface cross-linking process (spraying process, heat treatment process, cooling process) The apparatus comprised from the sizing process and the transport process which connects between each process was prepared. The continuous production apparatus was operated under the operating conditions of each step described below, and continuous production of the water absorbent resin powder was started. In Production Example 1, the production up to the production of water-absorbent resin particles (a) before surface crosslinking will be described.
- an aqueous solution of partially neutralized sodium acrylate with a neutralization rate of 73 mol% (monomer concentration: 38% by weight), and polyethylene glycol diacrylate (average n number 9) as an internal cross-linking agent were reduced to 0.001.
- a monomer solution (a) added with 09 mol% (with respect to the monomer) was continuously supplied to the polymerization apparatus using a metering pump. At that time, nitrogen gas was continuously blown so that the amount of dissolved oxygen in the monomer aqueous solution (a) was 0.5 [mg / L] or less.
- the hydrogel crosslinked polymer (a) obtained in the polymerization step is supplied to a meat chopper having a pore diameter of 7 mm, and the particles are gel-pulverized into particles having a particle diameter of about 2 mm.
- a gel-like crosslinked polymer (a) was obtained.
- the particulate hydrogel crosslinked polymer (a) was spread and placed on a perforated plate to which the continuous aeration band dryer was moved so as to have a thickness of 50 mm, and dried at 185 ° C. for 30 minutes. Then, it cooled with external air and obtained the water-absorbent resin dried material (a).
- the entire dried water absorbent resin (a) obtained by the above operation was continuously supplied to a three-stage roll mill (roll gap; 1.0 mm / 0.65 mm / 0.42 mm from above) and pulverized. Thereafter, as a classification step, the mixture was continuously supplied to a sieving apparatus having a metal sieving mesh having a mesh size of 710 ⁇ m and 150 ⁇ m and classified. Through the above series of operations, irregularly crushed water-absorbent resin particles (a) were obtained.
- the obtained water-absorbing resin particles (a) had a solid content of 97% by weight, a weight average particle size (D50) of 375 ⁇ m, a logarithmic standard deviation of particle size distribution ( ⁇ ) of 0.38, and an internal cell rate (also known as closed cell rate). It was 0.9%.
- Various physical properties of the water-absorbent resin particles (a) obtained are shown in Table 1.
- Production Example 2 As in Production Example 1, as a continuous production apparatus for water-absorbent resin powder (production capacity 1500 [kg / hr]), polymerization process, gel grinding process, drying process, grinding process, classification process, surface crosslinking process (spraying process, heating) A processing step, a cooling step), a sizing step, and a transporting step for connecting each step were prepared. The continuous production apparatus was operated under the operating conditions of each step described below, and continuous production of the water absorbent resin powder was started. In Production Example 2, the process up to the production of the water-absorbent resin particles (b) before surface crosslinking will be described.
- Production Example 2 the same operation as in Production Example 1 was performed except that the following conditions were changed. That is, the amount of polyethylene glycol diacrylate (average n number 9) used as an internal cross-linking agent in the polymerization process was changed to 0.06 mol% (based on monomer), and the roll gap of the three-stage roll mill in the pulverization process was changed. Except for changing from 1.0 mm / 0.65 mm / 0.50 mm from the top and further changing the mesh opening of the metal sieve screen in the classification step to 850 ⁇ m and 150 ⁇ m, the same operation as in Production Example 1 was performed to absorb water. Resin particles (b) were obtained.
- the obtained water-absorbent resin particles (b) had a solid content of 97% by weight, a weight average particle size (D50) of 448 ⁇ m, a logarithmic standard deviation of particle size distribution ( ⁇ ) of 0.41, and an internal cell rate (also known as closed cell rate). It was 1.1%.
- Various physical properties of the water-absorbent resin particles (b) obtained are shown in Table 1.
- Example number when the water-absorbent resin (a) of Production Example 1 (internal cell ratio: 0.9%) is used for surface crosslinking, it is referred to as Example 1-X (number).
- Example 1-X number
- the water-absorbent resin (b) of Production Example 2 (1.1% of the same) is used, the water-absorbent resin (c) of Production Example 3 and the water-absorbent resin (c) of Production Example 3 (4.2 of the same) are used.
- Example 3-X number
- Example 4-X number
- Example 1-1 (Melting / storage of ethylene carbonate) As a melting apparatus for ethylene carbonate, a double-arm kneader having an internal volume of 500 L and equipped with a jacket capable of flowing a heating heat medium and a blade stirring shaft was prepared.
- the intermediate tank is a tank made of SUS304 having an internal volume of 10 m 3 and includes a heating coil for heating and keeping the contents, and the outer wall is kept warm to suppress heat radiation. Furthermore, in order to prepare a surface crosslinking agent solution, it is connected with the manufacturing process of the water-absorbent resin by a pipeline.
- a mass flow meter capable of measuring the flow rate and the integrated flow rate for example, a Coriolis mass flow meter / equivalent to Endless Hauser
- a control valve for adjusting the flow rate for example, a Coriolis mass flow meter / equivalent to Endless Hauser
- the prepared transportation piping was prepared.
- the transportation piping for ethylene carbonate is kept at 50 ° C. by a hot water trace.
- Example 2-1 After melting and storing ethylene carbonate by the same method as in Example 1-1, a surface cross-linking agent solution (2-1) was further prepared by the same method as in Example 1-1.
- Example 2-1 following the production example 2, the steps after the surface cross-linking step of the water absorbent resin particles (b) will be described.
- Example 1-2 (Melting and storage of 1,4-butanediol) 1,4-butanediol delivered from the manufacturer in a molten state at 40 ° C. was transported and stored in an intermediate tank (raw material tank) as it was. The transportation was performed using a transportation pipe and a pump kept warm by a hot water trace at 40 ° C. A strainer was provided in front of the pump.
- the intermediate tank (raw material tank) is a tank made of SUS304 having an internal volume of 10 m 3 and includes a heating coil for heating and keeping the contents, and the outer wall is kept warm to suppress heat radiation.
- a surface crosslinking agent solution it is connected with the manufacturing process of the water-absorbent resin by a pipeline.
- a liquid level control of 1,4-butanediol (liquid temperature about 40 ° C.) stored in a molten state transportation was repeatedly carried out so as to be within a range of 2 m 3 to 8 m 3 .
- a mass flow meter capable of measuring the flow rate and the integrated flow rate for example, a Coriolis mass flow meter / equivalent to Endless Hauser
- a control valve for flow rate adjustment is provided.
- the prepared transportation piping was prepared.
- the transport pipe for 1,4-butanediol is kept at 40 ° C. by a hot water trace.
- Line mixing static mixer, etc.
- the surface cross-linking agent solution with a total liquid volume of 300 kg (3) was produced.
- the liquid composition was confirmed, and the error was within 0.1%.
- Example 1-1 Manufacture of water absorbent resin powder
- Example 1-1 except that the surface cross-linking agent solution (1-1) was changed to 4.0 parts by weight instead of the surface cross-linking agent solution (1-1), Example 1- The same operation as in No. 1 was performed to obtain a water absorbent resin powder (1-2). Table 1 shows properties of the water absorbent resin powder (1-2) obtained.
- Example 2-2 After melting and storing 1,4-butanediol in the same manner as in Example 1-2, a surface crosslinking agent solution (2-2) was further produced in the same manner as in Example 1-3.
- Example 2-2 subsequent to Production Example 2, the steps after the surface cross-linking step of the water-absorbent resin particles (b) will be described.
- Example 1-3 After melting and storing ethylene carbonate by the same method as in Example 1-1, a surface crosslinking agent solution (1-3) was prepared by the following method.
- line mixing static mixer etc.
- the same operation was performed to obtain a surface crosslinking agent solution (1-3).
- Example 1-1 instead of the surface cross-linking agent solution (1-1), the surface cross-linking agent solution (1-3) obtained by the above operation was changed to 3.9 parts by weight, and further during forced cooling.
- a water absorbent resin powder (1-3) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1-1 except that nothing was added. Table 1 shows properties of the water absorbent resin powder (1-3) obtained.
- Example 2-3 After melting and storing ethylene carbonate by the same method as in Example 2-1, a surface crosslinking agent solution (2-3) was prepared by the following method.
- Example 2-1 except that line mixing (static mixer, etc.) was performed while adjusting the flow rate using a mass flow meter. The same operation was performed to obtain a surface crosslinking agent solution (2-3).
- Example 2-1 instead of the surface cross-linking agent solution (2-1), the surface cross-linking agent solution (2-3) obtained by the above operation was changed to 3.5 parts by weight and further subjected to forced cooling.
- a water absorbent resin powder (2-3) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2-1, except that nothing was added. Table 1 shows properties of the water absorbent resin powder (2-3) obtained.
- Example 5-1 As an ethylene carbonate melting apparatus, a cylindrical tank having an internal volume of 1000 L, equipped with a jacket and a coil through which a heating heat medium can flow and a stirrer was prepared.
- the intermediate tank is a tank made of SUS304 having an internal volume of 10 m 3 and includes a heating coil for heating and keeping the contents, and the outer wall is kept warm to suppress heat radiation. Furthermore, in order to prepare a surface crosslinking agent solution, it is connected with the manufacturing process of the water-absorbent resin by a pipeline.
- Example 5-2 As an ethylene carbonate dissolution apparatus, a cylindrical tank having an internal volume of 500 L, equipped with a jacket capable of flowing a heating heat medium and a stirring blade was prepared.
- the ethylene carbonate aqueous solution obtained by the above operation was transported to an intermediate tank having an internal volume of 500 L and temporarily stored.
- ethylene carbonate was stable, and ethylene glycol (decomposed product of ethylene carbonate) was not substantially produced as a by-product.
- Example 5-3 In a container equipped with a heating jacket, ethylene carbonate delivered in a solid state was melted and stored by the following method. That is, water vapor or warm water of 50 ° C. or higher was passed through the jacket of the container to completely melt the solid ethylene carbonate.
- the intermediate tank is a tank made of SUS304 having an internal volume of 10 m 3 and includes a heating coil for heating and keeping the contents, and the outer wall is kept warm to suppress heat radiation. Furthermore, in order to prepare a surface crosslinking agent solution, it is connected with the manufacturing process of the water-absorbent resin by a pipeline.
- Example 5-4 Delivered ethylene carbonate in a molten state at 50 to 60 ° C., and transported it in the molten state to an intermediate tank (raw material tank) as it was.
- the transportation was performed using a transportation pipe and a pump kept warm by a hot water trace at 50 ° C.
- a strainer was provided in front of the pump.
- the intermediate tank (raw material tank) is a tank made of SUS304 having an internal volume of 10 m 3 and includes a heating coil for heating and keeping the contents, and the outer wall is kept warm to suppress heat radiation. Furthermore, in order to prepare a surface crosslinking agent solution, it is connected with the manufacturing process of the water-absorbent resin by a pipeline.
- Example 5-5 Transport piping equipped with a mass flow meter that can measure the flow rate and integrated flow rate (for example, a Coriolis mass flow meter / Endless Hauser equivalent) and a control valve for flow rate adjustment in order to produce a surface cross-linking agent solution of a water absorbent resin Prepared.
- a mass flow meter that can measure the flow rate and integrated flow rate (for example, a Coriolis mass flow meter / Endless Hauser equivalent) and a control valve for flow rate adjustment in order to produce a surface cross-linking agent solution of a water absorbent resin Prepared.
- line mixing static mixer etc.
- the integrated flow rate was measured at the same time to prepare a surface cross-linking agent solution having a total liquid amount of 300 kg.
- the liquid composition was confirmed, and the error was within 0.1%.
- Example 5-6 In order to prepare the surface cross-linking agent solution of the water absorbent resin, a positive displacement flow meter (manufactured by Oval Co., Ltd.) capable of measuring a flow rate and an integrated flow rate and a transport pipe equipped with a control valve for flow rate adjustment were prepared. In addition, the transportation piping for ethylene carbonate is kept at 50 ° C. by a hot water trace.
- a positive displacement flow meter manufactured by Oval Co., Ltd.
- Example 1-1 the solid ethylene carbonate of Comparative Example 5-1 was dissolved as an aqueous solution to prepare a surface cross-linking agent solution, but the workability was poor, and further due to temperature changes during the day or summer / winter, The stability of the mixing ratio was reduced.
- Example 5-3 In Example 1-3, 1,4-butanediol was dissolved as an aqueous solution at room temperature to prepare a surface cross-linking agent solution. However, the workability was poor, and the mixing ratio was changed depending on the temperature change during the day or summer / winter. The stability of was reduced.
- Example 5-7 Transport piping equipped with a mass flow meter that can measure the flow rate and integrated flow rate (for example, a Coriolis mass flow meter / Endless Hauser equivalent) and a control valve for flow rate adjustment in order to produce a surface cross-linking agent solution of a water absorbent resin Prepared.
- a mass flow meter that can measure the flow rate and integrated flow rate (for example, a Coriolis mass flow meter / Endless Hauser equivalent) and a control valve for flow rate adjustment in order to produce a surface cross-linking agent solution of a water absorbent resin Prepared.
- the transportation piping for ethylene carbonate is kept at 50 ° C. by a hot water trace.
- the surface cross-linking agent solution was fed from the buffer tank for surface cross-linking of the water-absorbent resin particles, and used at 100 [kg / hr].
- the average residence time in the buffer tank was 30 minutes.
- the ethylene glycol in the surface cross-linking agent solution fed was 48 ppm.
- Example 5-8 In Example 5-7, the same operation as in Example 5-7 was performed, except that the buffer tank was changed from 50 kg to 100 kg and the average residence time was extended from 30 minutes to 60 minutes. As a result, the ethylene glycol in the surface cross-linking agent solution fed was 90 ppm.
- Example 5-9 In Example 5-7, the same operation as in Example 5-7 was performed, except that the buffer tank was changed from 50 kg to 500 kg and the average residence time was extended from 30 minutes to 5 hours. As a result, the ethylene glycol in the surface cross-linking agent solution fed was 448 ppm.
- the liquid temperature of the monomer aqueous solution (c ′) rose to 65 ° C. due to the heat of neutralization generated in the neutralization reaction (first stage) between acrylic acid and sodium hydroxide. Due to the decrease in gas solubility accompanying this temperature increase, very fine bubbles were generated, and the monomer aqueous solution (c ′) was cloudy.
- the monomer aqueous solution (c ′) was cooled with stirring, and when the liquid temperature reached 53 ° C., 148.9 g of a 48.5 wt% sodium hydroxide aqueous solution adjusted to 30 ° C. was added. Thus, an aqueous monomer solution (c) was prepared. At this time, the temperature of the monomer aqueous solution (c) rose to 83.5 ° C. due to the heat of neutralization generated in the neutralization reaction (second stage) between acrylic acid and sodium hydroxide. Due to the decrease in gas solubility accompanying this temperature increase, very fine bubbles were further generated, and the monomer aqueous solution (c) was also clouded.
- the stainless steel bad type polymerization container is a container having a bottom surface of 340 mm ⁇ 340 mm, a height of 25 mm, and a Teflon (registered trademark) attached to the inner surface.
- a hot plate NEO HOPLATE H1-1000 / Co., Ltd.
- the surface temperature was heated to 40 ° C. using Iuchi Seieido.
- the amount of dissolved oxygen in the monomer aqueous solution (c) before adding the sodium persulfate aqueous solution was 6.53 [mg / L].
- Polymerization started 15 seconds after the monomer aqueous solution (c) was poured into the bad polymerization vessel.
- the polymerization proceeded by expanding and foaming in all directions toward the upper side of the bad polymerization vessel while generating water vapor, and then contracted to a size slightly larger than the bottom of the bad polymerization vessel. This polymerization (expansion / shrinkage) was completed in about 1 minute.
- the polymer was taken out as a hydrogel crosslinked polymer (hereinafter referred to as “hydrogel”) (c).
- hydrogel hydrogel crosslinked polymer
- the hydrogel (c) obtained in the above polymerization step was used as a meat chopper (MEAT-CHOPER TYPE: 12VR-400KSOX / Iizuka Kogyo Co., Ltd .; die hole diameter: 6.4 mm, hole number: 38, die thickness. : 8 mm) to obtain a particulate hydrous gel (c).
- the input amount of the hydrogel (c) in the gel pulverization step is 350 [g / min], and in parallel with the input of the hydrogel (c), deionized water adjusted to 90 ° C. with 80 [ g / min].
- the particulate hydrous gel (c) obtained in the gel pulverization step was spread and placed on a stainless steel wire mesh with an opening of 850 ⁇ m and dried with hot air at 180 ° C. for 30 minutes.
- the particles are classified using JIS standard sieves having openings of 850 ⁇ m and 45 ⁇ m, and the irregularly crushed water-absorbing resin particles ( c) was obtained.
- the obtained water-absorbing resin particles (c) had a solid content of 97% by weight, a weight average particle size (D50) of 460 ⁇ m, a logarithmic standard deviation of particle size distribution ( ⁇ ) of 0.40, and an internal cell ratio of 4.2%.
- Table 2 shows various physical properties of the water-absorbent resin particles (c) obtained.
- Production Example 4 In Production Example 3, 1.0% by weight of polyether-modified silicone (side) was used instead of 1.0% by weight of polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate aqueous solution (manufactured by Kao Corporation) as a surfactant.
- a monomer aqueous solution (d ′) was prepared in the same manner as in Production Example 3 except that a chain-modified terminal OH type) aqueous solution (manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Co., Ltd.) was used. At this time, the temperature of the monomer aqueous solution (d ′) rose to 63 ° C. due to the heat of neutralization generated in the neutralization reaction (first stage) between acrylic acid and sodium hydroxide.
- the obtained water-absorbing resin particles (d) had a solid content of 97% by weight, a weight average particle size (D50) of 427 ⁇ m, a logarithmic standard deviation of particle size distribution ( ⁇ ) of 0.39, and an internal cell ratio of 6.5%.
- Table 2 shows properties of the water-absorbent resin particles (d) obtained.
- Example 3-1 30 g of solid flaky ethylene carbonate (melting point: 34 to 37 ° C.) was charged into a 120 mL polypropylene container, and then immersed in a 50 ° C. water bath to melt the content of ethylene carbonate. The molten ethylene carbonate was heated in a water bath and stored in a molten state until it was used as a surface crosslinking agent solution.
- a surface cross-linking agent solution (3-1) composed of 0.47 parts by weight of molten ethylene carbonate, 0.75 parts by weight of propylene glycol and 4.0 parts by weight of deionized water obtained by the above operation was prepared.
- An aqueous liquid (3-1) comprising 0.80 parts by weight, 0.134 parts by weight of a 60% by weight aqueous sodium lactate solution as ⁇ -hydroxycarboxylic acid and 0.016 parts by weight of propylene glycol was prepared.
- the aqueous liquid (7) was uniformly sprayed and mixed on the water-absorbing resin particles (3-1) whose surfaces were crosslinked, and dried at 60 ° C. for 1 hour under no-air conditions.
- Table 2 shows properties of the water absorbent resin powder (3-1) obtained.
- the residual ethylene carbonate amount was ND (below the detection limit).
- Example 4-1 With respect to 100 parts by weight of the water-absorbent resin particles (d) obtained in Production Example 4, 0.47 parts by weight of molten ethylene carbonate obtained in Example 3-1, 0.75 parts by weight of propylene glycol, polyoxyethylene (20) A surface cross-linking agent solution (4-) of 0.001 part by weight of sorbitan monostearate (manufactured by Kao Corporation) (10 ppm relative to the water-absorbent resin particles (d)) and 4.0 parts by weight of deionized water 1) was produced.
- sorbitan monostearate manufactured by Kao Corporation
- a water-absorbent resin powder (4-1) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3-1, except that the surface cross-linking agent solution (4-1) was uniformly sprayed and mixed.
- Table 2 shows properties of the water absorbent resin powder (4-1) obtained.
- the residual ethylene carbonate amount was ND (below the detection limit).
- the water-absorbent resin powder (4-1) obtained in Example 4-1 is one in which 150 ppm of the surfactant is substantially uniformly present therein, and the surface thereof is further coated with 10 ppm of the surfactant.
- the surface tension was 67.1 [mN / m].
- a water-absorbing resin powder having a high water absorption rate can be obtained by controlling the internal cell ratio even if the surface is dehydrated by alkylene carbonate which is easily hydrophobized. Further, the residual ethylene glycol in the water-absorbent resin powder was all sufficiently reduced to 800 ppm or less by the measurement method (2) of (5-16) above.
- Example 3-2 After putting 30 g of propylene carbonate into a polypropylene container having a capacity of 120 mL, the content of propylene carbonate was heated by immersing in a 30 ° C. water bath. The heated propylene carbonate was stored in a heated state in a water bath until used as a surface crosslinking agent solution.
- Example 3-1 In the surface cross-linking agent solution (3-1) of Example 3-1, in place of molten ethylene carbonate (0.47 parts by weight / molecular weight; 88.06), the same number of moles obtained by the above operation was used.
- a water absorbent resin powder (3-2) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3-1, except that the surface crosslinking agent solution (3-2) was changed to propylene carbonate (molecular weight; 102.09). .
- the results are shown in Table 3.
- Example 3-3 After charging 30 g of glycerin carbonate into a polypropylene container having a capacity of 120 mL, the contents of glycerin carbonate were heated by immersing in a 30 ° C. water bath. The heated glycerin carbonate was stored in a heated state in a water bath until used as a surface crosslinking agent solution.
- Example 3-1 In the surface cross-linking agent solution (3-1) of Example 3-1, in place of molten ethylene carbonate (0.47 parts by weight / molecular weight; 88.06), the same number of moles obtained by the above operation was used.
- a water absorbent resin powder (3-3) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3-1, except that the surface crosslinking agent solution (3-3) was changed to glycerin carbonate (molecular weight: 118.09). .
- Table 3 The results are shown in Table 3.
- Example 3-4 30 g of solid powdery 1,6-hexanediol (melting point: 42.8 ° C.) was placed in a 120 mL polypropylene container, and then immersed in a 60 ° C. water bath to heat the contents of hexanediol. The molten 1,6-hexanediol was heated in a water bath and stored in a molten state until it was used as a surface crosslinking agent solution.
- Example 3-1 in place of molten ethylene carbonate (0.47 parts by weight / molecular weight; 88.06), the same number of moles obtained by the above operation was used. Except for changing to a surface crosslinking agent solution (3-4) with molten hexanediol (60 ° C.) (molecular weight: 118.17), the same procedure as in Example 3-1 was performed to obtain a water absorbent resin powder (3- 4) was obtained.
- the results are shown in Table 3.
- Example 3-5 30 g of solid powdery sorbitol (melting point: 96 ° C.) was charged into a 120 mL capacity stainless steel container, and then immersed in a 100 ° C. oil bath to heat the contents of sorbitol. The molten sorbitol was heated in an oil bath and stored in a molten state until it was used as a surface crosslinking agent solution.
- Example 3-1 In the surface cross-linking agent solution (3-1) of Example 3-1, in place of molten ethylene carbonate (0.47 parts by weight / molecular weight; 88.06), the same number of moles obtained by the above operation was used.
- a water-absorbent resin powder (3-5) was prepared in the same manner as in Example 3-1, except that the surface cross-linking agent solution (3-5) was changed to molten sorbitol (100 ° C.) (molecular weight; 182.17).
- Table 3 The results are shown in Table 3.
- Example 3-6 After putting 30 g of solid neopentyl glycol (melting point 130 ° C.) into a stainless steel container having a capacity of 120 mL, the contents of neopentyl glycol were heated by immersing in a 150 ° C. oil bath. The molten neopentyl glycol was heated in an oil bath and stored in a molten state until it was used as a surface crosslinking agent solution.
- Example 3-1 in place of molten ethylene carbonate (0.47 parts by weight / molecular weight; 88.06), the same number of moles obtained by the above operation was used. Except that the surface cross-linking agent solution (3-6) was changed to molten neopentyl glycol (150 ° C.) (molecular weight: 104.15), the same operation as in Example 3-1 was performed to obtain a water absorbent resin powder (3 -6) was obtained.
- the results are shown in Table 3.
- Example 3-8 In Example 3-7, the same procedure as in Example 3-7 was performed, except that the amount of molten ethylene carbonate was increased to 1.52 parts by weight for the purpose of shortening the reaction time. 3-8) was obtained.
- Example 3-2 In the surface crosslinking agent solution (3-1) of Example 3-1, instead of molten ethylene carbonate (0.47 parts by weight / molecular weight; 88.06), the same number of moles of glycerin (molecular weight; 92.09) and A comparative water absorbent resin powder (3-2) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3-1, except that the comparative surface crosslinking agent solution (3-2) was changed.
- the results are shown in Table 3. The glycerin was used without heating.
- Example 3-3 In the surface crosslinking agent solution (3-1) of Example 3-1, instead of molten ethylene carbonate (0.47 parts by weight / molecular weight; 88.06), the same number of ethylene glycol (molecular weight; 62.07) A comparative water absorbent resin powder (3-3) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3-1, except that the comparative surface crosslinking agent solution (3-3) was changed.
- the results are shown in Table 3. The ethylene glycol was used without heating.
- the combined use of alkylene carbonate and polyhydric alcohol can shorten the reaction time (improve productivity) and reduce the amount of the remaining surface crosslinking agent. Moreover, aggregates are reduced and the mixing property and physical properties (liquid permeability) of the surface cross-linking agent are improved. Residual ethylene glycol was reduced to ND or 0.01 wt% in the measurement method (1) of (5-15) above.
- ethylene carbonate (melting point: 36 ° C.), 1,4-butanediol (20 ° C.), 1,6-hexanediol (42. 8 ° C.), sorbitol (96 ° C.), neopentyl glycol (130 ° C.) and other non-polymeric organic compounds having a melting point of 20 to 130 ° C., particularly ethylene carbonate, are preferably heated and melted.
- Example 1-4 Storage temperature 50 ° C.
- the intermediate tank raw material tank
- hot water of 50 ° C. was passed through the heating coil and kept warm.
- ethylene carbonate was stored in a molten state for 30 days.
- the ethylene carbonate before storage contained 0.012% by weight of ethylene glycol as an impurity, but increased to 0.030% by weight after 30 days.
- the color tone (Hazen color number) of the molten ethylene carbonate after 30 days was 5 (APHA).
- ethylene carbonate: propylene glycol: deionized water 1: 1.7: 8.7 (weight)
- each component was quantified and mixed with a Coriolis mass flow meter so that the ratio was as follows. Since the surface cross-linking agent solution (1-4) is a mixture of three types of liquids, it could be mixed instantaneously with a metering pump and a mass flow meter.
- Example 1 4.0 parts by weight of the surface cross-linking agent solution (1-4) obtained by the above operation was sprayed on 100 parts by weight of the water-absorbent resin particles (a) obtained in Production Example 1. Except for mixing and heat treatment at 200 ° C. for 30 minutes, the same operation as in Example 1-1 was performed to obtain a water-absorbent resin powder (1-4).
- Table 4 shows the color tone (Lab value) of the water-absorbent resin powder (1-4) obtained. The color tone of the water-absorbent resin powder was measured using LabScan XE manufactured by HunterLab.
- Example 1-5 (Storage temperature 100 ° C.)
- the same operation as in Example 1-4 was performed except that the storage temperature was changed to 100 ° C. -5) was obtained.
- the storage temperature was implemented by changing the warm water flowing through the heating coil into steam.
- the ethylene glycol content after 30 days had increased to 0.20% by weight.
- the color tone (Hazen color number) of molten ethylene carbonate after 30 days was 140 (APHA).
- Table 4 shows the color tone (Lab value) of the water absorbent resin powder (1-6) obtained.
- Example 1-6 (Storage temperature 140 ° C.)
- the same operation as in Example 1-5 was performed except that the storage temperature was changed to 140 ° C. -6) was obtained.
- the storage temperature was implemented by changing the warm water flowing through the heating coil into steam.
- the ethylene glycol content after 30 days had increased to 2.0% by weight.
- the color tone (Hazen color number) of molten ethylene carbonate after 30 days was 400 (APHA).
- Table 4 shows the color tone (Lab value) of the water absorbent resin powder (1-6) obtained.
- Comparative Example 1-1 (Storage temperature 25 ° C.) In the intermediate tank (raw material tank) for storing molten ethylene carbonate in Example 1-4, ethylene carbonate was stored at room temperature (25 ° C.) for 30 days without heating. In Comparative Example 1-1, since ethylene carbonate was solidified in the intermediate tank (raw material tank), the preparation of the surface cross-linking agent solution was very complicated, and a variation in the mixing ratio was observed.
- the non-polymeric organic compound (particularly ethylene carbonate) that is the raw material of the water-absorbent resin powder was heated and melted. It can be seen that the workability is improved by storing in. From the viewpoint of coloring and by-products, the storage temperature is preferably within the melting point + 20 ° C. as in Example 1-4. Further, the residual ethylene glycol in the water-absorbent resin powder was all sufficiently reduced to 800 ppm or less by the measurement method (2) of (5-16) above.
- Example 1-7 (Influence of moisture)
- the intermediate tank raw material tank for storing molten ethylene carbonate in Example 1-1
- the upper space was filled with dry air having a dew point of ⁇ 15 ° C., and hot water of 50 ° C. was passed through the heating coil and kept warm.
- ethylene carbonate was stored in a molten state for 30 days.
- the ethylene carbonate before storage contained 0.08% by weight of ethylene glycol and 0.001% by weight of moisture as impurities.
- Example 1-8 (Influence of moisture) A water absorbent resin powder (1-8) was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1-7, except that in Example 1-7, water was added to ethylene carbonate so that the water content was 0.02 wt%. Obtained. Table 5 shows the amount of ethylene glycol in the surface crosslinking agent solution (1-8).
- Example 1-9 (Influence of dew point) In Example 1-7, the same procedure as in Example 1-7 was performed, except that the upper space of the intermediate tank (raw material tank) was filled with normal air (dew point of 30 ° C. or higher). -9) was obtained. Table 5 shows the amount of ethylene glycol in the surface cross-linking agent (1-9).
- the by-product (ethylene glycol) As shown in Table 5, the by-product (ethylene glycol) can be reduced by the dew point and the amount of water during storage.
- Example 1-11 In Example 1-10, a series resin powder (1-11) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1-10 except that the storage condition of the surface crosslinking agent solution was changed to 50 ° C. for 1 week. . In addition, the ethylene glycol increased during storage as a surface crosslinking agent solution was 1.4 mol% with respect to ethylene carbonate.
- Example 1-12 A water absorbent resin powder (1-12) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1-10 except that propylene glycol was not used in the surface cross-linking agent solution in Example 1-10.
- Example 1-13 A water absorbent resin powder (1-13) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1-10 except that propylene glycol was not used in the surface crosslinking agent solution in Example 1-10.
- a surfactant polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate
- a surfactant polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate
- a surfactant polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate
- Example 1-16 In the preparation and mixing of the surface cross-linking agent solution of Example 1-1, water for dissolving 50 ° C. molten ethylene carbonate was previously continuously heated in the same manner by previously heating the deionized water to 40 ° C.
- the surface cross-linking agent aqueous solution can be controlled at a constant temperature (41 to 44 ° C) for a long period of time throughout the day and night in summer and winter. Furthermore, the mixing ratio could be stabilized.
- Example 1-17 In Example 1-2, 1,4-butanediol heated and melted at 40 ° C. was used as an internal crosslinking agent during polymerization of the water-absorbent resin. That is, in the polymerization of Production Example 1, in place of polyethylene glycol acrylate (0.09 mol%), polyethylene glycol acrylate (0.07 mol%) and 1,4-butanediol heated and melted at 40 ° C. 0.01 mol% (based on monomer) was used in combination. Here, a Coriolis mass flow meter was used for mixing the internal crosslinking agent. The results are shown in Table 8.
- Example 1-18 In Example 1-1, a polyvinylamine aqueous solution was used in place of 0.95 parts by weight of the aluminum sulfate aqueous solution as the ion-binding crosslinking agent.
- the polyvinylamine aqueous solution contains 3 parts by weight of Leredur PR8097 (polyvinylamine, an aqueous solution having a solid content of about 10%, manufactured by BASF) with respect to 100 parts by weight of the water-absorbing resin particles (1-1) whose surfaces are crosslinked.
- a water absorbent resin (1-18) was obtained by spraying.
- a Coriolis mass flow meter was used to adjust the mixing ratio. The results are shown in Table 8.
- Example 1-19 iron chloride was used in place of 0.95 parts by weight of the aqueous aluminum sulfate solution as the ion-binding crosslinking agent.
- the aqueous solution of iron chloride is a 50% by weight aqueous solution of iron (III) chloride hexahydrate with respect to 100 parts by weight of the water-absorbent resin particles (1-1) whose surfaces are crosslinked during the forced cooling described above. Two parts by weight were uniformly sprayed and mixed. The results are shown in Table 8.
- Example 1-20 In Example 1-1, an aqueous zirconium solution was used in place of 0.95 part by weight of the aqueous aluminum sulfate solution as the ion-binding crosslinking agent.
- 2 parts by weight of Bacote 20 (ammonium zirconium carbonate, 20% by weight aqueous solution of zirconium oxide, manufactured by MELchemicals) is sprayed uniformly on 100 parts by weight of the water-absorbing resin particles (1-1) whose surfaces are crosslinked. And mixed.
- the results are shown in Table 8.
- Example 3-10 After putting 30 g of solid 2-oxazolidone (melting point 87 ° C.) into a stainless steel container having a capacity of 120 mL, the contents of 2-oxazolidone were heated by immersing in a 100 ° C. oil bath. The molten 2-oxazolidone was heated in an oil bath and stored in a molten state until used as a surface crosslinking agent solution. No decomposition was observed during this time.
- Example 3-1 In the surface cross-linking agent solution (3-1) of Example 3-1, in place of molten ethylene carbonate (molecular weight; 88.06), molten 2-oxazolidone (molecular weight; 87.18) having the same number of moles obtained by the above operation.
- a water-absorbent resin powder (3-10) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3-1, except that the surface crosslinking agent solution (3-10) was changed to (08).
- the heat treatment time until the CRC reached about 27 [g / g] was 30 minutes, and the SFC was 102 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g ⁇ 1 ].
- a water absorbent resin powder (3-11) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3-1, except that the surface crosslinking agent solution (3-11) was changed to 11.4 g.
- Ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether was used without heating. The heating time was 30 minutes, and the SFC was 90 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g ⁇ 1 ].
- Example 3-12 In Example 3-1, 100 parts by weight of the surface-crosslinked water-absorbing resin powder was added to an aqueous solution of a partial hydrolyzate of poly (N-vinylformamide) instead of the aqueous liquid (3-1) (solid content 9% by weight) 5 parts by weight (aqueous liquid 3-12) was added, and the mixture was heated at 90 ° C. for 1 hour under no-air conditions. Subsequently, the mixture was passed through a JIS standard sieve having an opening of 850 ⁇ m to obtain a water absorbent resin powder (3-12). The SFC was 107 [ ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 ⁇ cm 3 ⁇ s ⁇ g ⁇ 1 ].
- Example 1-21 When the volumetric mass flow meter was used instead of the mass flow meter in the mixing ratio of the surface cross-linking agent in Example 1-1, the error (variation width) was about 3%.
- Example 1-22 When the vortex flowmeter was used instead of the mass flowmeter in the mixing ratio of the surface cross-linking agent in Example 1-1, the error (variation width) was about 3%.
- Example 1-23 (melting of surface coating agent)
- stearyl alcohol (melting point 58.5 ° C) was melted at 70 ° C instead of the surface cross-linking agent ethylene carbonate (melting point 36 ° C).
- the obtained surface-crosslinked water-absorbing resin (2) was spray-mixed so that 2 parts by mass of the aqueous solution was 50 ppm with respect to the surface-crosslinked water-absorbing resin (2).
- the obtained mixture was cured at 60 ° C. for 1 hour, and further passed through a sieve having an aperture of 710 ⁇ m to obtain a particulate water-absorbing agent (2) of Patent Document 37.
- Patent Document 37 does not disclose melting of ethylene carbonate, and further shows that the SFC is high in the method of the present invention using an ionic crosslinking agent.
- a water absorbent resin having high physical properties can be produced stably with good workability.
- the water-absorbent resin powder obtained by the present invention when used for sanitary materials such as paper diapers, it has both liquid permeability and water absorption speed, and is excellent in impact resistance (damage resistance) and whiteness. Absorption performance (water absorption rate) superior to conventional sanitary materials can be provided.
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Abstract
Description
内部気泡率0.5%以上でかつ明細書で規定(下記(5-16)の測定法(2))での残存エチレングリコール1000ppm以下
4.8kPaの加圧下での0.9重量%の塩化ナトリウム水溶液に対する吸水倍率(AAP)が20[g/g]
無加圧下吸水倍率(CRC)が25[g/g]以上、
69重量%生理食塩水流れ誘導性(SFC)は1[×10-7・cm3・s・g-1]以上のポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂をも提供する。
(7)表面架橋に、エチレングリコール以外の多価アルコール、エチレンカーボネート及びイオン性架橋剤の3種を併用することで、“エチレンカーボネート由来のエチレングリコール、エチレングリコール以外の多価アルコール、イオン性架橋剤を所定量含有する新規な吸水性樹脂を提供する。かかる粉体の搬送性や物性(特に通液性や加圧下吸水倍率)にも優れ、衛生材料に好適である。
(1-1)「吸水性樹脂」
本発明における吸水性樹脂とは、水膨潤性水不溶性の高分子ゲル化剤を意味する。尚、「水膨潤性」とは、ERT441.2-02で規定するCRC(無加圧下吸水倍率)が5[g/g]以上であることをいい、又、「水不溶性」とは、ERT470.2-02で規定するExt(水可溶分)が0~50重量%であることをいう。
本発明における「ポリアクリル酸(塩)」とは、任意にグラフト成分を含み、繰り返し単位として、アクリル酸及び/又はその塩(以下、アクリル酸(塩)と称する)を主成分とする重合体を意味する。具体的には、重合に用いられる総単量体(架橋剤を除く)のうち、アクリル酸(塩)を50~100モル%含む重合体をいい、好ましくは70~100モル%含み、より好ましくは90~100モル%含み、特に好ましくは実質100モル%である吸水性樹脂をいう。
「EDANA」は、欧州不織布工業会(European Disposables and Nonwovens Assoiations)の略称であり、「ERT」は、欧州標準(ほぼ世界標準)である吸水性樹脂の測定方法(EDANA Recommended Test Metods)の略称である。尚、本発明では、特に断りのない限り、ERT原本(公知文献:2002年改定)に準拠して、吸水性樹脂の物性を測定する。
「CRC」は、Centrifuge Retention Capacity(遠心分離機保持容量)の略称であり、無加圧下吸水倍率(以下、「吸水倍率」と称することもある)を意味する。具体的には、不織布中の吸水性樹脂0.200gを、大過剰の0.9重量%塩化ナトリウム水溶液に対して30分間自由膨潤させた後、更に遠心分離機で水切りした後の吸水倍率(単位;[g/g])である。
「AAP」は、Absorption Against Pressureの略称であり、加圧下吸水倍率を意味する。具体的には、吸水性樹脂0.900gを、0.9重量%塩化ナトリウム水溶液に対して1時間、2.06kPa(0.3psi)での荷重下で膨潤させた後の吸水倍率(単位;[g/g])である。尚、ERT442.2-02では、Absorption Under Pressureと表記されているが、実質的に同一内容である。又、荷重条件を4.83kPa(0.7psi)に変更して測定することもある。
「Ext」は、Extractablesの略称であり、水可溶分(水可溶成分量)を意味する。具体的には、0.9重量%塩化ナトリウム水溶液200gに対して、吸水性樹脂1.000gを16時間攪拌した後、溶解したポリマー量をpH滴定で測定した値(単位;重量%)である。
「PSD」とは、Particle Size Disributionの略称であり、篩分級により測定される粒度分布を意味する。尚、重量平均粒子径(D50)及び粒子径分布幅は米国特許2006-204755号に記載された「(1) Average Particle Diameter and Distribution of Particle Diameter」と同様の方法で測定する。
荷重下又は無荷重下における膨潤した吸水性樹脂の粒子間を流れる液の流れ性を「通液性」という。この「通液性」の代表的な測定方法として、SFC(Saline Flow Conductivity/生理食塩水流れ誘導性)や、GBP(Gel Bed Permeability/ゲル床透過性)がある。
本明細書において、範囲を示す「X~Y」は、「X以上Y以下」であることを意味する。又、重量の単位である「t(トン)」は、「Metric ton(メトリック トン)」であることを意味し、更に、特に注釈のない限り、「ppm」は「重量ppm」を意味する。又、「重量」と「質量」、「重量%」と「質量%」、「重量部」と「質量部」は同義語として扱う。更に、「~酸(塩)」は「~酸及び/又はその塩」を意味し、「(メタ)アクリル」は「アクリル及び/又はメタクリル」を意味する。又、物性等の測定に関しては、特に断りのない限り、室温(20~25℃)、相対湿度40~50%RHで測定する。
以下、[2]で本発明の吸水性樹脂粉末の製造方法、特にその全般について述べ、さらに、[3]で第1、第2及び第3の製造方法の、特にその特徴部分(非高分子有機化合物の加熱、質量流量計、加熱溶融状態の非高分子有機化合物)について述べる。
本明細書において、「アクリル酸(塩)系単量体水溶液」とは、アクリル酸(塩)系単量体を主成分とする単量体の水溶液であって、必要により架橋剤、グラフト成分や微量成分(キレート剤、界面活性剤、分散剤等)等の吸水性樹脂粉末を構成する成分が調合されたものを指し、そのままの状態で重合開始剤を添加して重合に供されるものをいう。
本発明のアクリル酸(塩)系単量体としては、重合により吸水性樹脂となるものであれば特に限定されず、例えば、(メタ)アクリル酸、(無水)マレイン酸、イタコン酸、ケイ皮酸、ビニルスルホン酸、アリルトルエンスルホン酸、ビニルトルエンスルホン酸、スチレンスルホン酸、2-(メタ)アクリルアミド-2-メチルプロパンスルホン酸、2-(メタ)アクリロイルエタンスルホン酸、2-(メタ)アクリロイルプロパンスルホン酸、2-ヒドロキシエチル(メタ)アクリロイルフォスフェート等のアニオン性不飽和単量体(塩);メルカプト基含有不飽和単量体;フェノール性水酸基含有不飽和単量体;(メタ)アクリルアミド、N-エチル(メタ)アクリルアミド、N,N-ジメチル(メタ)アクリルアミド等のアミド基含有不飽和単量体;N,N-ジメチルアミノエチル(メタ)アクリレート、N,N-ジメチルアミノプロピル(メタ)アクリレート、N,N-ジメチルアミノプロピル(メタ)アクリルアミド等のアミノ基含有不飽和単量体等が挙げられる。
アクリル酸(塩)系単量体は重合禁止剤を含有していることが好ましい。該重合禁止剤としては、特に限定されないが、例えば、国際公開第2008/096713号に開示されるN-オキシル化合物、マンガン化合物、置換フェノール化合物等が挙げられる。中でも、置換フェノール類が好ましく、メトキシフェノール類が特に好ましい。
アクリル酸(塩)系単量体は物性向上や残存モノマー低減の観点から、原料アクリル酸(塩)に対して、さらには調整された単量体水溶液中のアクリル酸(塩)に対してプロトアネモニン、アリルアクレート、フルフラールはそれぞれ0~10ppm、更には0~5ppm、特にND(検出限界以下)とされることが好ましい。。又、同じく、アクリル酸ダイマー及びβ-ヒドロキシプロピオン酸もそれぞれ0~1000ppm、0~500ppm、0~200ppmとされることが好ましい。。アクリル酸ダイマーは晶析ないし蒸留によって除去でき、短時間、例えば精製後24時間以内に使用することが好ましい。β-ヒドロキシプロピオン酸は低温(例えば70℃以下、より好ましくは50℃以下)で中和すること等により低く制御することができる。
本発明では、上記重合に際して、必要に応じて内部架橋剤が用いられる。該内部架橋剤としては、公知のものが使用でき、例えば、N,N’-メチレンビス(メタ)アクリルアミド、(ポリ)エチレングリコールジ(メタ)アクリレート、(ポリ)プロピレングリコールジ(メタ)アクリレート、トリメチルロールプロパントリ(メタ)アクリレート、グリセリントリ(メタ)アクリレート、グリセリンアクリレートメタクリレート、エチレンオキサイド変性トリメチロールプロパントリ(メタ)アクリレート、ペンタエリスリトールヘキサ(メタ)アクリレート、トリアリルシアヌレート、トリアリルイソシアヌレート、トリアリルホスフェート、トリアリルアミン、ポリ(メタ)アリロキシアルカン、(ポリ)エチレングリコールジグリシジルエーテル、グリセロールジグリシジルエーテル、エチレングリコール、ポリエチレングリコール、プロピレングリコール、グリセリン、1,4-ブタンジオール、ペンタエリスリトール、エチレンジアミン、エチレンカーボネート、プロピレンカーボネート、ポリエチレンイミン、グリシジル(メタ)アクリレート等を挙げることができる。これらの中から、反応性を考慮して、1種又は2種以上を使用することができ、中でも2個以上の重合性不飽和基を有する化合物を使用することが好ましい。
本発明では、上記単量体水溶液及び/又は重合時の上記単量体水溶液及び/又は重合後に、任意に界面活性剤や分散剤を添加してもよい。
本発明において、使用できる界面活性剤としては特に限定されないが、国際公開第97/017397号や米国特許第6107358号に開示された界面活性剤、即ち、ノニオン性界面活性剤、アニオン性界面活性剤、カチオン性界面活性剤、両性界面活性剤等が挙げられる。これらの界面活性剤はアクリル酸(塩)系単量体や吸水性樹脂粉末との重合性又は反応性を有するものであってもよい。
本発明において、使用できる分散剤としては特に限定されず、水溶性ないし吸水性を示す親水性高分子分散剤が好ましく、水溶性高分子分散剤がより好ましい。又、その重量平均分子量は分散剤の種類によって適宜決定されるが、500~1000万が好ましく、5000~500万がより好ましく、1万~300万が特に好ましい。
(2-2-1)気泡率の制御
本発明では好ましくは内部気泡を含有する吸水性樹脂粉末が表面架橋に用いられる。好ましい気泡の制御方法として、重合時に気泡を所定量含有させることで重合させ、好ましくは得られた表面架橋前の吸水性樹脂の内部気泡率(後述に規定)が好ましくは0.5%以上、1.0~8.0%、1.3~6.7%、2.8~6.6%であり、好ましくは3.0~6.5%、更に好ましくは3.5~6.5%、特に好ましくは3.8~6.5%、最も好ましくは4.0~6.5%である。さらには表面架橋後の吸水性樹脂もかかる範囲とされる。
(2-2-2)好ましい表面架橋剤
吸水速度や通液性を目的とする場合、好ましくは、上記(2-2-1)に記載した内部気泡率0.5%以上、1.0~8.0%、1.3~6.7%、2.8~6.6%であり、好ましくは3.0~6.5%、更に好ましくは3.5~6.5%、特に好ましくは3.8~6.5%、最も好ましくは4.0~6.5%のポリアクリル酸系吸水性樹脂粉末に、表面架橋として、アルキレンカーボネート化合物、さらにはエチレンカーボネートを加熱反応させる、吸水性樹脂粉末の製造方法も提供する。好ましい表面架橋は後述のとおりであり、共有結合性表面架橋剤、中でもアルキレンカーボネート化合物及び多価アルコール化合物を混合後に加熱反応させる。さらに、好ましくは、同時又は別途、イオン結合性表面架橋剤を混合する。より好ましくは、かかる混合の制御は質量流量計、特にコリオリ式質量流量計で行われる。なお、質量流量計については、下記(3-6)の欄で述べるものを用いることができる。より更に好ましくは、所定比率の表面架橋剤に調整するまえに、原料であるアルキレンカーボネート化合物(単品そのもの)は後述[3]のように、加熱、さらに加熱溶融することである。
(好ましい内部気泡率の制御方法)
本発明では吸水速度や通液性の向上のために、好ましくは吸水性樹脂粉末の内部気泡率が制御され、各種の発泡重合等が適用できるが、好適な手法として、例えば、国際公開第2011/078298号に記載の方法が用いられる。
アクリル酸系単量体水溶液への気泡の分散方法として、単量体及び/又はその塩、必要に応じて内部架橋剤及び水を混合して調製されたアクリル酸系単量体水溶液を昇温する方法、又は、アクリル酸系単量体水溶液の調製段階で昇温して水溶液中の気体の溶解度を低下させる方法が挙げられる。
アクリル酸(塩)系単量体水溶液への気泡の分散方法として、単量体及び/又はその塩、必要に応じて内部架橋剤及び水を混合して調製する際に、気体が溶存していない、又はほとんど溶存していない水溶性有機物、あるいは混合対象であるアクリル酸系単量体水溶液や、水に比べて気体が溶解していない水溶性有機物の混合を行い、気体の溶解度を低下させる方法が挙げられる。上記水溶性有機物としては、酸素の溶解度が好ましくは0.02[ml/ml]以下、より好ましくは0.01[ml/ml]以下、特に好ましくは0.005[ml/ml]以下の有機化合物が使用される。例えば、気体を含む(溶存する)アクリル酸系単量体水溶液に気体を含まない単量体(例えばアクリル酸)を混合することで、混合後の水溶液に溶存できない気体が発生し、その気体を微細な気泡として水溶液中に分散せしめることができる。
方法(a)又は(b)によってアクリル酸系単量体水溶液へ導入される気泡の数平均直径(体積平均粒子径)は、50μm以下であることが好ましく、50nm(より好ましくは10μm)~500μmがより好ましく、100nm(より好ましくは10μm)~100μmが更に好ましい。
(重合方法)
本発明の吸水性樹脂粉末を得るための重合方法として、噴霧重合、液滴重合、バルク重合、沈殿重合、水溶液重合又は逆相懸濁重合等を挙げることができるが、本発明の課題解決には、単量体を水溶液とする水溶液重合や逆相懸濁重合、噴霧重合・液滴重合、特に水溶液重合が好ましい。これら重合では、必要により上記(2-2)に記載の発泡重合、特に気泡を分散させた重合が行われ、さらに内部気泡率が制御される。
本発明において使用される重合開始剤は、重合形態によって適宜決定され、特に限定されないが、例えば、光分解型重合開始剤、熱分解型重合開始剤、レドックス系重合開始剤等が挙げられる。これらの重合開始剤によって、本発明の重合が開始される。
本発明において、アクリル酸(塩)系単量体水溶液の重合方法として、吸水性樹脂粉末の物性(例えば、吸水速度や通液性)や重合制御の容易性等の観点から、水溶液重合が採用される。中でも連続水溶液重合がより好ましく、高濃度連続水溶液重合及び/又は高温開始連続水溶液重合が更に好ましく、高濃度・高温開始連続水溶液重合が特に好ましく採用される。
本工程は、上記重合工程等を経て得られる、好ましくは内部気泡率が制御された含水ゲル状架橋重合体(以下、「含水ゲル」と称する)をゲル粉砕し、粒子状の含水ゲル(以下、「粒子状含水ゲル」と称する)を得る工程である。
本発明におけるゲル粉砕は、特願2010-088993号(出願日;2010年4月7日)およびその国際出願PCT/JP2011/058829号に記載されたゲル粉砕、特に「ゲル粉砕エネルギー(GGE)」を18~60[J/g]とするゲル粉砕及び/又は「含水ゲルの水可溶分の重量平均分子量」を10,000~500,000[Da]増加させるゲル粉砕が、更に好ましく適用される。また、上記(2-2)の気泡を重合時に含有される場合、さらに重合後のゲル粉砕によって内部気泡率を制御してもよい。
本工程は、上記重合工程等を経て得られる気泡を含有した含水ゲルを乾燥して乾燥重合体を得る工程である。尚、上記重合工程が水溶液重合である場合、含水ゲルの乾燥前及び/又は乾燥後に、ゲル粉砕(細粒化)が行われる。又、乾燥工程で得られる乾燥重合体(凝集物)はそのまま粉砕工程に供給されてもよい。また高温重合や噴霧重合・液滴重合などで、重合工程と乾燥工程と同時に行ってもよい。
本工程は、上記乾燥工程で得られた乾燥重合体を、粉砕及び/又は分級して、好ましくは特定粒度の吸水性樹脂粉末を得る工程である。尚、上記(2-4)ゲル粉砕工程とは、粉砕対象物が乾燥工程を経ている点で異なる。又、粉砕工程後の吸水性樹脂を粉砕物と称することもある。なお、逆相重合、噴霧重合・液滴重合など用いて、上記重合や乾燥にて目的粒度に制御できれば、粉砕・分級工程は必要なく任意工程であるが、好ましくは分級工程が行われ、さらには(水溶性重合などでは)粉砕工程も行われる。
表面架橋前の吸水性樹脂粉末の重量平均粒子径(D50)は、吸水速度や通液性、加圧下吸水倍率等の観点から、200~600μmが好ましく、200~550μmがより好ましく、250~500μmが更に好ましく、350~450μmが特に好ましい。又、標準篩分級で規定される粒子径150μm未満の微粒子は少ない程よく、通液性等の観点から、0~5重量%が好ましく、0~3重量%がより好ましく、0~1重量%が更に好ましい。更に、標準篩分級で規定される粒子径850μm以上、好ましくは710μm以上の粗大粒子も少ない程よく、吸水速度等の観点から、0~5重量%が好ましく、0~3重量%がより好ましく、0~1重量%が更に好ましい。又、粒子径が好ましくは150μm以上850μm未満、より好ましくは150μm以上710μm未満の割合が、吸水速度や通液性、加圧下吸水倍率等の面から、95重量%以上が好ましく、98重量%以上がより好ましく、99重量%以上が更に好ましい(上限は100重量%)。
本発明の課題を解決するためには、乾燥工程後に分級工程(表面架橋工程後の第2分級工程を含む。以下同じ。)を含み、好ましくは上記分級工程において、微紛を目開き250~45μm、例えば150μmなどの標準篩で分級し、より好ましくは該篩通過物である吸水性樹脂微粒子を分離・回収した後、該吸水性樹脂微粒子又はその水添加物を乾燥工程以前の工程で再利用することが好ましい。
本工程は、上記分級工程で得られる吸水性樹脂粉末、更には微粉回収工程を含む吸水性樹脂粉末の吸水速度や通液性を向上させるために、吸水性樹脂粉末の表面又は表面近傍を架橋処理する工程であり、該工程を経ることで、表面架橋された吸水性樹脂が得られる。
表面架橋による残存モノマーの発生増加を抑えるため、表面架橋前の吸水性樹脂粉末中のβヒドロキシプロピオン酸(塩)が1000ppm以下、更には0~1000ppm、0~500ppm、0~200ppm、0~100ppmとされる。
本発明で使用できる表面架橋剤として、吸水性樹脂の官能基であるカルボキシル基と共有結合する、種々の有機又は無機の共有結合性表面架橋剤が例示されるが、有機表面架橋剤が好ましく使用される。得られる吸水性樹脂粉末の物性の観点から、例えば、多価アルコール化合物、エポキシ化合物、多価アミン化合物又はそのハロエポキシ化合物との縮合物、オキサゾリン化合物、(モノ、ジ、又はポリ)オキサゾリジノン化合物、オキセタン化合物、アルキレンカーボネート化合物等が挙げられ、特に、多価アルコール化合物、アルキレンカーボネート化合物、オキサゾリジノン化合物等からなる脱水反応性架橋剤が好ましく挙げられる。
本発明ではこれら表面架橋剤の中でも、物性面や反応時間短縮、残存表面架橋剤の低減などから、特に脱水反応性表面架橋剤が使用され、脱水反応性表面架橋剤としては異なる反応機構の脱水反応性表面架橋剤が併用される。ここで、異なる反応機構の表面架橋剤として、カルボキシル基と脱水エステル化するヒドロキシル化合物、脱水アミド化するアミノ化合物、開環する環状化合物(4員管、5員管など、異なる環状構造を含む)、特に、多価アルコール、アルキレンカーボネート、オキサゾリジノン化合物、オキセタン化合物、アミノアルコール化合物から複数併用され、特に多価アルコール、及び、アルキレンカーボネート、オキサゾリジノン化合物、オキセタン化合物から選ばれる環状化合物の併用、さらには、多価アルコール及びアルキレンカーボネートが併用される。
ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂に、アルキレンカーボネート化合物及び多価アルコール化合物を混合後に加熱反応させ、更に、通液性向上の観点から、表面架橋工程において、同時及び/又は別途、イオン結合性表面架橋剤を混合することが好ましい。更に好ましくは、表面架橋工程において、アルキレンカーボネート化合物及び多価アルコール化合物の添加と同時又は別途、界面活性剤を混合する。別途イオン結合性表面架橋剤/界面活性剤を添加する時期は、アルキレンカーボネート化合物及び多価アルコール化合物の添加前であっても、添加後であってもよいし、添加前、添加後双方に添加してもよい。また、更に好ましくは、後述のα-ヒドロキシカルボン酸化合物(特に乳酸ないしその塩)を混合する。ここで、多価アルコール化合物がC3~C6の多価アルコールであり、イオン結合性表面架橋剤が多価金属カチオンであると好ましい。
又、表面架橋剤に合わせて好ましくは水が使用される。すなわち、本発明の好適な一実施形態は、少なくともアルキレンカーボネート化合物と多価アルコール化合物と水とを吹くも表面架橋剤水溶液を調製し、吸水性樹脂粉末に該表面架橋剤水溶液を混合するものである。このときの水の含有量は、吸水性樹脂粉末100重量部に対して、0.5~20重量部が好ましく、0.5~10重量部がより好ましい。更に、無機表面架橋剤と有機表面架橋剤とを併用する場合、好ましくは0.001~10重量部、より好ましくは0.01~5重量部で各々併用される。この際、親水性有機溶媒を使用してもよく、その使用量は、吸水性樹脂粉末100重量部に対して、0重量部を超え10重量部以下が好ましく、0重量部を超え5重量部以下がより好ましい。尚、水は別途添加しても良く、表面架橋剤水溶液に混合される非高分子化合物及び/又はその他の化合物の水溶液として含まれる水であっても良い。
表面架橋剤の反応や均一な混合を促進するため、表面架橋剤に酸又は塩基を併用してもよい。使用される酸又は塩基としては、有機酸又はその塩、無機酸又はその塩、無機塩基が使用され、吸水性樹脂粉末100重量部に対して0~10重量部、更には0.01~5重量部、0.1~3重量部で適宜使用される。使用される有機酸としては、C1~C6、更にはC2~C4の水溶性有機酸、水溶性飽和有機酸、特にヒドロキシル基含有の飽和有機酸である。代表的な有機酸として、酢酸、プロピオン酸、乳酸、3-ヒドロキシプロピオン酸、クエン酸、酒石酸やその塩であり、塩としては一価塩又は多価金属塩、特にアルカリ金属塩ないし3価塩(特にアルミニウム塩)である。また、使用される無機酸としては、炭酸、硫酸、塩酸、燐酸、ポリ燐酸やその塩であり、塩としては一価塩ないし多価金属塩、特にアルカリ金属塩ないし3価塩(特にアルミニム塩)である。使用できる無機塩基としては、アルカリ金属の水酸化物、炭酸塩、炭酸水素塩、又は、多価金属の水産物等である。好適な無機酸として硫酸アルミニウム、有機酸としては乳酸等が挙げられる。また、前記酸を併用する場合には、表面架橋剤溶液のpHは、2.5~6.9の酸性溶液であることが好ましい。
本発明で特に好ましい表面架橋剤は、吸水物性、特に無加圧下吸水倍率と通液性、無加圧下吸水倍率と加圧下吸水倍率の関係を向上させる観点からエチレンカーボネートを含み、さら好ましくはC3-C6の多価アルコール化合物、特にプロピレングリコールを含む表面架橋剤が好ましく、表面架橋剤水溶液として吸水性樹脂粉末に添加される。上記表面架橋剤水溶液と同時、又は別途用いられるイオン結合表面架橋剤としては、後述の(2-9)に記載され、中でもアルミニウム塩が好ましく、例えば硫酸アルミニウム、乳酸アルミニウムである。
吸水性樹脂と表面架橋剤との混合方法は特に問わないが、好ましくは、後述の(3-6)に記載の質量流量計や、(3-8)に記載の混合機やその混合時間が適用される。
表面架橋剤を混合後の吸水性樹脂粉末は、加熱処理されることにより反応し、必要によりその後、冷却処理される。加熱温度は、好ましくは70~300℃であり、より好ましくは120~250℃であるが、脱水反応性表面架橋剤を使用する場合は更に好ましくは150~250℃、さらには170~230℃であり、加熱時間は、好ましくは1分~2時間、5分~1時間の範囲である。表面架橋剤後の冷却温度は表面架橋温度未満、特に10℃以上に冷却され、例えば、100℃以下、さらには30~90℃、特に40~80℃の範囲に冷却されるのが好ましい。
吸水性樹脂と表面架橋剤との混合方法は特に問わないが、好ましくは、後述の(3-6)に記載の質量流量計や、(3-8)に記載の混合機やその混合時間が適用される。
後述(3-8)のように、本発明の効果をより発揮するために、表面架橋剤として複数、さらには3成分以上、4成分以上の表面架橋剤に適用される。成分数の上限は適宜決定されるが、10成分程度である。表面架橋剤を複数回添加する際にも好適に使用され、好ましくは、共有結合性表面架橋剤の添加および反応後にイオン結合性架橋剤の添加反応が行う場合などに適用できる。
本発明の製造方法は連続運転や巨大スケールでの物性安定化や製造の簡便化により好適である。よって、好ましくは1日(24時間)以上、さらに10日以上の連続生産に好適に適用される。また、1ライン(装置)あたり0.1[t/hr]以上、更には上記重合に記載の生産量、特に連続生産に好適に適用される。本発明では、吸水性樹脂粉末が、1時間当たり1トン以上生産され得る。
本工程は吸水性樹脂粉末に種々の機能を付与するために、各添加剤を添加する工程であり、一つ又は複数の工程から構成される。上記添加剤としては、例えば、通液性を向上させる通液性向上剤、吸水速度及び通液性を向上させる界面活性剤、或いは着色防止剤、耐尿性向上剤等が挙げられる。又、全て又は一部のこれらの添加剤は、上記表面架橋剤と同時に添加しても別途添加してもよい。ここで、通液性向上剤が吸水性樹脂と反応しうる場合、例えば、下記のイオン結合性表面架橋剤である場合、かかる通液性向上剤の添加工程は上記(2-8)に記載の表面架橋工程の一種でもある。
上記共有結合性表面架橋剤、好ましくは、多価アルコールと多価アルコール以外(特にアルキレンカーボネート等の環状化合物)の併用の他に、共有結合性表面架橋と同時または別途、イオン結合性表面架橋剤としてポリアミンポリマーなどの多価カチオン性ポリマーや多価金属塩(多価金属カチオン)を表面架橋工程において混合して、通液性等を向上させる。中でも、通液性向上の観点からは、イオン結合性表面架橋剤として多価金属カチオンを用いることが好ましく、さらにはアルミニウム塩を用いることが好ましい。また、通液性および副生成物や原料不純物の抑制という観点からは、多価アルコール化合物がC3~C6の多価アルコールであり、イオン結合性表面架橋剤が多価金属カチオンであることが好ましい。
本発明で多価金属カチオンに使用できる多価金属化合物は水溶性であることが好ましい。多価として必須に2価以上であり、2~4価であることが好ましく、更に3価の金属カチオン、特にアルミニウムカチオンが使用される。
本発明で使用できる多価カチオン性ポリマーの重量平均分子量は、好ましくは1000以上であり、より好ましくは2000以上であり、更に好ましくは5000以上、特に好ましくは10000以上である。また、数平均分子量は、好ましくは2000以上であり、更に好ましくは5000以上である。上記重量平均分子量が1000未満の場合、期待する効果が得られなくなるおそれがある。なお、重量平均分子量は平衡沈降法で測定され、数平均分子量は粘度法で測定される。その他、ゲルパーミエーションクロマトグラフィー、静的光散乱法等でも測定することができる。なお、コストの観点から、上限は重量平均分子量が500万程度、更には100万程度で十分である。
水不溶性微粒子としては、吸水剤が水性液体と接触した際に吸水剤の粒子同士が密着するのを抑制し、水性液体の流れをよくするものであれば特に限定されるものではない。中でも水不溶性無機微粉末が好ましく、クレイ、カオリン、ベントナイト、二酸化ケイ素、酸化チタン、酸化アルミニウム等の無機系微粒子、乳酸カルシウム、金属石鹸(長鎖脂肪酸の多価金属塩)等の有機微紛末が挙げられるが、珪素系微粒子が無加圧下吸収倍率(FSC)を向上させるので好ましい。
本発明で好ましく使用するα-ヒドロキシカルボン酸は、分子内のα位の炭素にヒドロキシル基が結合しているカルボン酸ないしその塩のことを指し、好ましくは非高分子α-ヒドロキシカルボン酸等の脂肪族ヒドロキシカルボン酸(塩)であり、より好ましくは環状構造や不飽和基を有しない脂肪族のα-ヒドロキシカルボン酸(塩)である。芳香族α-ヒドロキシカルボン酸や環状構造ないし不飽和基を有するα-ヒドロキシカルボン酸の場合、それ自身が酸化反応により着色するために好ましくない。又、その分子量は好ましくは40~2000、更に好ましくは60~1000、特に好ましくは100~500の範囲である。又、本発明で使用するα-ヒドロキシカルボン酸は、20±5℃で、脱イオン水100gに対する溶解度が1g以上、より好ましくは5g以上、更に好ましくは10g以上、特に好ましくは20g以上である水溶性であることが好ましい。かかるα-ヒドロキシカルボン酸として、乳酸(塩)、クエン酸(塩)、リンゴ酸(塩)、イソクエン酸(塩)、グリセリン酸(塩)、酒石酸(塩)、これらのD体、L体、メソ体等が例示される。α-ヒドロキシ多価カルボン酸として、最も好ましくは、吸水特性や着色改善の観点から、リンゴ酸(塩)、クエン酸(塩)、イソクエン酸(塩)、酒石酸(塩)が用いられる。ここで、α-ヒドロキシカルボン酸ないしその塩や混合物を総称してα-ヒドロキシカルボン酸化合物と呼ぶこともある。
本発明に係るポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粉末において、キレート剤(特に有機リン系キレート剤、アミノカルボン酸系キレート剤)、α-ヒドロキシカルボン酸(特に乳酸(塩))、無機又は有機還元剤(特に硫黄系無機還元剤)から選ばれる着色防止剤又は耐尿性(さらには(5-14)の耐候性)向上剤を更に含有することが好ましく、本発明の製造方法がいずれかの工程でキレート剤等を混合する工程を含むことが好ましい。キレート剤等を含有させることで、耐尿性や着色防止に優れる吸水性樹脂粉末が得られる。
さらに、ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粉末は、界面活性剤を含んでいてもよく、本発明の製造方法がいずれかの工程で界面活性剤を混合する工程を含むことが好ましい。例えば、上述したように、ベースポリマーの気泡率の制御に使用される形態や、表面架橋工程において、表面架橋剤と併用される形態が挙げられる。また、吸水性樹脂粉末を界面活性剤で被覆してもよい。
本発明においては、着色防止や劣化防止(その他残存モノマー低減など)を目的として、キレート剤(特に有機リン系キレート剤、アミノカルボン酸系キレート剤)、α-ヒドロキシカルボン酸(特に乳酸(塩))、無機又は有機還元剤(特に硫黄系無機還元剤)から選ばれる着色防止剤又は耐尿性(さらには(5-14)の耐候性)向上剤を更に含むことが好ましい。尚、表面積の大きい吸水性樹脂粉末は一般的に着色や劣化し易い傾向にある。
本工程は、表面架橋剤の混合後、吸水性樹脂粉末の加熱処理時及び/又は加熱処理後に、該吸水性樹脂粉末を気流下に曝露する工程である。
本工程は、表面架橋工程前後における吸水性樹脂粉末を輸送する工程であり、各種の輸送方法を採用することができるが、好ましくは空気輸送が採用される。該空気輸送工程においては、本発明の吸水性樹脂粉末の物性を安定的に保持し、かつ配管の閉塞防止という観点から、一次空気及び必要に応じて使用される二次空気(輸送配管途中での追加空気)に乾燥気体(空気)が使用されることが好ましい。空気輸送によって、吸水性樹脂粉末の表面に残存する非高分子有機化合物、特に残存表面架橋剤、さらにはエチレングリコール等を除去してもよい。
上記工程以外に、必要に応じて、第2の分級工程(表面架橋工程後に実施)、蒸発モノマーの回収工程、造粒工程等を設けてもよい。
以上、[2]で本発明の方法(1)及び(2)についての全般について述べ、さらに、以下、[3]で第1、第2および第3の製造方法のより好ましい特徴部分(非高分子有機化合物の加熱、質量流量計、加熱溶融した非高分子有機化合物)について述べる。下記第1、第2、第3の製造方法は、好ましくは本発明の方法(1)及び/又は(2)と併用されるが、単独で実施してもよい。
本発明の吸水性樹脂粉末の製造方法(第1の製造方法)は、吸水性樹脂粉末の原料(改質原料)である非高分子有機化合物を加熱状態(好ましくは加熱溶融状態)で貯蔵したのち、他の化合物と所定比率に混合し、さらに吸水性樹脂粉末に混合することを特徴とする、ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粉末の製造方法である。
本発明の吸水性樹脂粉末の製造方法(第2の製造方法)は、ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粉末に、非高分子有機化合物と水が混合され、混合比が質量流量計で制御されることを特徴とする、ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粉末の製造方法である。
本発明の吸水性樹脂粉末の製造方法(第3の製造方法)は、加熱溶融状態の非高分子有機化合物と他の化合物と所定比率に混合し、さらにポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粉末に混合することを特徴とする、ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粉末の製造方法である。本発明で貯蔵は全く省略して、非高分子有機化合物の加熱溶融を連続加熱ニーダーなどで連続的に加熱溶融させてもよい。なお、バッチ式で加熱する場合は第1の製造方法での貯蔵にも該当し、連続加熱ニーダーなどで連続的に加熱溶融される場合は本発明の輸送にも該当する。
本発明の第1の製造方法(非高分子有機化合物を加熱状態で貯蔵)または第2の製造方法(後述の質量流量計を使用)または第3の製造方法(非高分子有機化合物を加熱溶融状態で使用)において、本発明で好ましくは、非高分子有機化合物が水溶性であり、加熱状態の非高分子有機化合物と水と所定比率に混合して水溶液とされる。本発明で非高分子有機化合物が好ましくは表面架橋剤であり、かかる場合、好ましくは、上記(2-8)、(2-9)に記載の表面架橋工程に記載の条件が適用される。
非高分子有機化合物の加熱状態で貯蔵、例えばブタンジオールやエチレンカーボネートなどを溶融貯蔵することで、非加熱状態で貯蔵、特に固体で貯蔵に比べて、水や必要によりその他化合物とを連続混合することが容易となる。水溶液の調整が容易なため、非高分子有機化合物水溶液(例えばエチレンカーボネート水溶液)としての保存時間を短くでき、結果、水溶液保存による非高分子有機化合物の分解や着色を抑えることができる。
非高分子有機化合物、例えばブタンジオールやエチレンカーボネート溶融貯蔵を用いることで、水溶液貯蔵に比べて、タンク、すなわちプラントを小さくできる。さらに、固体の非高分子有機化合物を溶融して貯蔵さらには輸送することで、固体の非高分子有機化合物を溶媒(特に水)に溶解させる手間を省略でき、パイプラインやポンプや質量流量計を用いることで作業性も向上し、巨大スケールの連続生産、特に1時間あたり1トン以上の連続生産も簡便かつ正確に実施できる。溶融させた非高分子有機化合物は所定比率へ連続混合は正確かつ容易であり、特に質量流量計、さらにはコリオリ質量流量計が適用でき、さらに正確に混合できるため、表面架橋剤に使用する場合、表面物性が向上ないし安定化する。
ここで、非高分子有機化合物は、上記した吸水性樹脂粉末の原料(改質原料)、特に固体の非高分子有機化合物であり、吸水性樹脂粉末に混合される原料であれば上記[2]に例示された化合物が適用でき、特に(3-1)に後述の表面架橋剤が使用できる。
上記「非高分子有機化合物」とは、吸水性樹脂の製造工程において、吸水性樹脂に混合される非高分子有機化合物ならば特に問わないが、通常、吸水性樹脂の重合の原料とされるアクリル酸などの単量体や重合性架橋剤以外の有機化合物であり、すなわち、非ラジカル重合性の有機化合物である。非高分子有機化合物とは、分子量が通常7000以下、好ましくは1000以下の有機化合物をいう。水溶性非高分子化合物とは、特に水溶性(常温の水100gに対する溶解度が、1[g/水100g]以上、さらには5g、より好ましくは10g以上をいう)の上記非高分子有機化合物である。実質的に非ラジカル重合性である範囲で、長鎖不飽和脂肪酸のように不飽和結合を有してもよいが、好ましくは不飽和結合(オレフィン構造)を有さない非高分子有機化合物が使用される。
上記非高分子有機化合物は、常温で液体でもよいが、好ましくは、常温で固体であり、その融点としては10~200℃、10~100℃、好ましくは15~100℃、より好ましくは18~90℃、更に好ましくは20~50℃、特に好ましくは30~40℃である。好ましい炭素数はC2~C30、さらにはC4~C20、C4~C18の範囲である。なお、日本工業規格では「常温」を20℃±15℃(5~35℃)の範囲として規定(JIS Z 8703)しており、かかる範囲を常温とする。
又、上記非高分子有機化合物の純度としては、水やその他の不純物を含んでもよいが、96重量%が好ましく、以下順に、少なくとも97重量%、98重量%、99重量%、99.5重量%、99.7重量%、99.9重量%、99.95重量%、99.99重量%が好ましい(ここで、不純物は好ましくは水分が主成分)。本発明の製造方法では上記純度を有する非高分子有機化合物が好ましく使用される。水やその他の不純物を多く含む場合、例えば、エチレンカーボネートからエチレングリコールの副生など加熱ないし加熱溶融する場合、分解や着色が起る可能性があり、上記純度で行うことが好ましい。非高分子有機化合物の水分量が1.0重量%以下であり、好ましくは0.5重量%以下、より好ましくは0.3重量%以下、更に好ましくは0.1重量%以下、より更に好ましくは0.05重量%以下、最も好ましくは0.01重量%以下である。使用前の非高分子有機化合物(特に表面架橋剤)の分解や着色を防止することによって、得られる吸水性樹脂の物性も安定化し、残存副生物も低減し、さらに着色も防止できる。なお、水分量はカールフッシャー法(JIS K0068、ISO 760、DIN 51777など)で規定でき、好ましくは、JIS K0068:1966で規定できる。
本発明で好ましく使用される固体の表面架橋剤としては、特に限定されないが、例えば、常温で固体の、飽和2価アルコール、飽和3価アルコール、飽和4価アルコール、不飽和グリコール等の多価アルコール類、環状(炭酸)エステル等の環状化合物、ジアミン化合物、アミノアルコール等のアミン化合物、飽和脂肪酸等が挙げられ、具体的には下記の化合物が例示される。これら化合物、非高分子有機化合物、特に固体の表面架橋剤は好ましくは加熱、特に加熱溶融されて、加熱状態で貯蔵ないし輸送される。本発明でさらに好ましくは常温で固体の、脱水反応性表面架橋剤、さらには、飽和2価アルコール、飽和3価アルコール、飽和4価アルコール、環状(炭酸)エステルが使用される。また、かかる脱水反応性表面架橋剤は、重合時の単量体や重合後のゲルに使用して内部架橋剤として使用してもよく、すなわち、脱水反応性架橋剤として使用できる。
以下、本発明で好ましく使用される固体の架橋剤、特に表面架橋剤について、具体的に説明する。なお、下記化合物は内部架橋剤や(反応させないで)表面被覆剤にも使用できるが、上記(2-8)の表面架橋剤として好適に使用される。
本発明で好ましく使用される固体の表面被覆剤としては、特に限定されないが、例えば、常温で固体の、飽和又は不飽和の1価アルコール、エーテル化合物、アルカンスルホン酸化合物、ケトン化合物等が挙げられ、具体的には下記の化合物が例示される。なお、表面被覆剤とは吸水性樹脂粉末やその含水ゲルを被覆することで、流動性や疎水性親水性などの各種改質に使用できる。
本発明において、溶融される場合、非高分子有機化合物は、常温(JIS Z 8703)で固体であり、その融点としては10~200℃、10~100℃、好ましくは15~100℃、より好ましくは18~90℃、更に好ましくは20~50℃、特に好ましくは30~40℃である。常温で固体のため、吸水性樹脂粉末への使用又は残存しても、吸水性樹脂粉末の流動性を損なうこともなく、更に非高分子有機化合物由来の臭気の問題もない。融点が200℃、100℃、90℃を超えるなど高いと、エネルギー的にも不利であり、また、高温での加熱によって分解や着色を起こすこともある。また融点が10℃、15℃などより低い場合、本発明の効果が現れにくい。
本発明において、加熱は連続で行ってもよく、バッチで行ってもよい。連続で行う場合もバッチで行う場合も本発明で輸送や貯蔵の概念に含まれる。
また、本発明は、吸水性樹脂粉末の原料である非高分子有機化合物を加熱状態で貯蔵することを特徴とする、ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粉末の原料の貯蔵方法を提供する。かかる吸水性樹脂粉末の原料の貯蔵方法は本発明の吸水性樹脂の製造方法において、好適好適(第2及び第3の製造方法)ないし必須(第1の方法)に適用される。貯蔵は加熱をかねてもよい。
本発明では上記原料である非高分子有機化合物は使用前には加熱状態で貯蔵、特にタンクに貯蔵される。貯蔵場所は上記吸水性樹脂の製造場所であり、実質、上記吸水性樹脂のプラントに近接し、特にその使用装置(例えば表面架橋剤調製タンク)から1km以内、好ましくは0.5km以内,より好ましくは0.2kmに近接して貯蔵される。
本発明の製造方法の好適な一実施形態である第1の方法は、吸水性樹脂粉末の原料である有機化合物(好ましくは常温で固体の非高分子有機化合物)を加熱状態で貯蔵したのち、他の化合物と所定比率に混合し、さらに吸水性樹脂粉末に混合する吸水性樹脂粉末の製造方法である。好ましくは、吸水性樹脂粉末の原料である有機化合物が吸水性樹脂粉末の表面架橋剤である。
貯蔵時の加熱温度は原料の融点や粘度、熱安定性等によって適宜決定されるが、非高分子有機化合物の加熱温度が30~90℃でかつ融点+100℃以下であり、または、非高分子有機化合物が10~100℃の融点を有し、融点+100℃以下で加熱する。より好ましくは30~90℃、さらには40~80℃、50~70℃である。加熱温度が高すぎると、融点にもよるが、貯蔵時に分解や着色が起ることがあり、逆に、温度が低すぎるとその本発明の課題の解決において効果が現れにくい。また、貯蔵も前記温度範囲に加熱ないし保温されたタンクで行われる。ここで原料の加熱は貯蔵槽に搬入する前の段階で行ってもよく、貯蔵後にタンク中で行ってもよく、また、貯蔵槽に搬入する前の段階で加熱、特に加熱溶融された原料を搬送機、例えば、タンクローリーやコンテナ、パイプラインに搬入してもよく、その際、必要により搬送機を外部より加熱ないし保温してもよい。
その上部空間は空気でもよく、劣化防止や着色防止などを目的として、窒素などの不活性ガスを充填ないし流通させてもよい。また、適宜、上部空間は減圧ないし加圧としてもよいが、通常、常圧(大気圧)とされる。また、上記したように、水分を制御するため、貯蔵時の雰囲気露点(上部空間の露点)は低いことが好ましく、20℃以下、さらには10℃以下、0℃以下、-10℃以下、-20℃以下とされる。露点を制御するには貯蔵時にドライエアーを使用したり、不活性ガス好ましくは窒素ガスを使用したりすればよい。窒素ガスは露点-73℃ないしそれ以下、ヘリウムガスは露点-65℃ないしそれ以下である。
タンクローリーやコンテナで吸水性樹脂粉末の製造工程に輸送する場合、その輸送単位は100~20000L、さらには500~15000Lで適宜決定され、また、その材質の金属製(特に内面はSUS)や樹脂製(特にポリエチレン製)等適宜決定され、形状も立方体や円筒状、円柱状、逆円錐状、逆ピラミッド状等適宜選択される。これら中でも、保温・加温式サーマルコンテナないしローリーが好適に使用される。
本発明における表面架橋剤溶液、上記した加熱された非高分子有機化合物を含む表面架橋剤溶液の作成は、バッチ式で行ってもよく、連続式でもよいが、その中でも特に好ましく適用できる図7の装置図を用いて、説明する。
また、本発明は、吸水性樹脂粉末の原料(改質原料)である非高分子有機化合物を製造後、必要により貯蔵後に、加熱状態で吸水性樹脂粉末の製造工程へ輸送することを特徴とする、ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粉末の原料の輸送方法を提供する。かかる吸水性樹脂粉末の原料の輸送方法は本発明の吸水性樹脂の製造方法において、好適(第2及び第3の製造方法)ないし必須(第1の製造方法)に適用される。かかる輸送方法は吸水性樹脂の製造工程、特に上記製造方法で原料輸送に好適に適用され、さらには、吸水性樹脂の製造工程(吸水性樹脂の製造プラント)への原料の輸送でも適用される。すなわち、本発明で好適には加熱状態、加熱溶融状態で吸水性樹脂の原料が吸水性樹脂の製造工程(吸水性樹脂の製造プラント)へ輸送され、さらに好ましくは加熱状態で貯蔵され、及び/又は加熱状態で所定比率に調整され吸水性樹脂の製造に使用される。前記加熱状態で輸送された吸水性樹脂粉末の原料(好ましくは改質原料)は、吸水性樹脂粉末の原料である限り特に問わないが、特に上記の架橋剤、特に(常温で固体の)表面架橋剤や表面被覆剤として好適に用いられる。
前記輸送工程ではストレーナーを使用することが好ましい。ストレーナーは適宜メッシュないし金網をもって流体輸送系路上、特に移送ポンプの吸い込み口の前に設置される。ストレーナーの目開きないし孔径は適宜決定されるが、10~5000μm、さらには100~2000μmの範囲であり、開口率も10~90%程度で適宜決定される。
輸送時の加熱温度は原料の融点や粘度、熱安定性等によって適宜決定されるが、30~90℃、さらには40~80℃、50~70℃である。輸送時の加熱温度が融点よりも大幅に高すぎると、エネルギー的に不利であり、化合物にもよるが、貯蔵時に分解や着色が起ることがあり、逆に、温度が低すぎるとその本発明の課題の解決において効果が現れにくい。また、輸送は、タンクローリー、タンカー、コンテナ、パイプラインの何れか1つ以上の搬送機を用いて行われが、原料の加熱は上記輸送に用いられる搬送機で行ってもよく、また、搬送機に搬入する前の段階で加熱、特に加熱溶融された原料を搬送機、例えば、タンクローリーやコンテナ、パイプラインに搬入してもよく、その際、必要により搬送機を外部より加熱ないし保温してもよい。
本発明者らは、製造工程でのトラブルや生産性(作業性、原料の取り扱い性)の低下が、一日ないし季節ごとの気温変化によるものであることに着目した。かかる問題は、融点が比較的低い固体原料(特に融点15~100℃)で顕著であることを見いだした。又、アルキレンカーボネートを表面架橋剤とする場合、エチレングリコールが吸水性樹脂中に副生するが、その原因が吸水性樹脂に混合する前のアルキレンカーボネート水溶液での分解に由来し、かかる表面架橋剤で用いるアルキレンカーボネートの分解が表面架橋後の物性の振れや低下にも繋がることを見いだした。
運動している質量が運動方向に垂直の振動に遭遇すると、その質量の速さに応じたコリオリの力が発生する。コリオリ質量流量計は、この効果を正確に発生させるための共振する計測チューブを備えており、流体(=質量)が計測チューブの中を移動すると、コリオリの力が発生する。出口と入口のセンサにより、計測チューブの振動位相のずれが検知され、マイクロ・プロセッサは、この情報を解析、使用して質量流量を算出する。さらに、計測チューブの共振周波数により流体密度の直接的な測定が可能であり、また、温度の影響を補正するために計測チューブの温度も測定される。この信号は、プロセスの温度に相当し、出力信号としても使用できる。コリオリ式質量流量計は、所定比率での表面架橋剤の調製だけでなく、調製後の表面架橋剤の吸水性樹脂への添加にも好適に使用される。
容積流量計は「升」で直接流量を測るものであり、「自動連続升」として、ピストンや回転子等の「運動子」と、それを包んでいる「ケース」によって空間が形成される。入口から流体を流すと、オーバル歯車(以下、回転子と呼ぶ)の歯面に圧力が掛かり、流体の供給が連続的に行われれば回転動作は連続的に行われ、オーバル流量計は、回転子が1回転するごとに回転子とケースの間に出来る三日月形の「升」容積を測定することで、流量を測定する。
質量流量計は、キャピラリ式、熱線式、半導体式、フローセンサ式等があり、主流路とバイパス流路、主流路に設けられたヒータと温度センサ(流量センサ)、主流路に流れを発生させるためにバイパス流路に設けられたラミナーフローエレメント等からなる本体部、及び流量センサからの質量流量信号を演算処理する電気回路部等で構成される。
超音波流量計には伝搬時間差法、伝搬時間逆数差法、シング・アラウンド法、ドップラー法等、いくつかの方法があり、中でも最もよく使われている伝搬時間逆数差法(周波数差法)である。容積流量は上記流速に管断面積Aを乗じて流量を求めることが出来る。実際の流量計では検出した流速値を「流量補正係数」で面の平均流速に補正した後、断面積をかけて流量を求められる。
上記非高分子有機物は加熱状態で輸送ないし貯蔵されることが好ましい。かかる輸送ないし貯蔵された非高分子有機物は所定比率に混合、特に所定濃度の水溶液とされ、吸水性樹脂に混合、特に吸水性樹脂の表面架橋に使用される。原料を加熱状態(特に融点以上)で輸送、貯蔵ないし所定比率で混合することで、吸水性樹脂の生産が簡便かつコンパクトに行え、さらに、原料を一定温度に加熱することで混合比も安定するため、吸水性樹脂粉末の物性、特に表面架橋後の物性も安定する。輸送、貯蔵ないし混合の際の流量測定には、質量流量計、特にコリオリ式質量流量計が使用される。加熱した非高分子有機物の流量をコリオリ式質量流量計で定量することで、気温にかかわらず、非高分子有機物の混合比が厳密に制御できる。その結果、得られた吸水性樹脂粉末の物性、特に表面架橋後の物性も安定する。非高分子有機物は表面架橋剤であり、さらにはアルキレンカーボネート化合物、特に上記(2-8)および(2-9)に記載の表面架橋剤である。好適な混合比は上記表面架橋に記載した比率や濃度での水溶液とされる。
非高分子有機物化合物又は非高分子有機物化合物を含む水溶液と吸水性樹脂粉末との混合はバッチで行っても連続でもよいが、好ましくは連続混合がなされ、攪拌ないし流動する吸水性樹脂に対して混合するのが好ましく、さらに好ましくは噴霧混合される。混合機としてはコリオリ式質量流量計を備えた混合機が好ましく、流動層や縦型ないし横型攪拌混合機が使用される。好適な縦型攪拌混合機は国際公開第WO2010/133460号パンフレット、国際公開第WO2010/100936号パンフレット、国際公開第WO2007/065840号パンフレット、欧州特許EP534228B公報に例示され、好適な横型攪拌混合機は米国特許US6071976公報、米国特許US5140076公報などに例示され、流動層は国際公開第WO2009/028568号パンフレットに例示される。
すなわち、本発明は[3]の説明する非高分子有機化合物(好ましくは表面架橋剤として用いられる)を加熱状態で貯蔵する第1の製造方法及び溶融状態で使用する第3の製造方法に加えて、ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粉末の第2の製造方法として、ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粉末に、有機化合物と水が混合され、混合比が質量流量計で制御されることを特徴とする製造方法(第2の方法)を提供する。
環状化合物、特にアルキレンカーボネート化合物の水溶液で吸水性樹脂粉末を表面架橋する方法において、アルキレンカーボネート化合物水溶液の調製から添加までの平均滞留時間を3時間以内、さらには1時間以内、0.5時間以内とする、連続製造方法が好ましい。
(i)バッチ式の場合は、原料が投入され、全量を使い切るまでの時間である。但し、先に投入された原料を使い切る前に次の原料が投入された場合には、先の投入量相当量が使われるまでの時間となる。また、調製タンクから計量タンクに移送されたのちに吸水性樹脂と混合されるような場合には、調製タンクに投入されてから吸水性樹脂と混合されるまでの時間である。尚、投入量或いは使用量が異なる等により上記時間が変動する場合には、各投入量で重み付けした各時間の加重平均値となる。
(ii)連続式の場合は、原料を投入する調製タンクの平均貯蔵量と、該調製タンク出口から吸水性樹脂への混合用ノズルまでの容積とを合計した平均貯蔵量を、吸水性樹脂への単位時間当たりの投入量で除した値である。尚、夜間や休日などで製造が停止する場合には、系内に残存する分については停止時間を加え、加重平均で求められる値となる。
本発明では上記非高分子有機化物の輸送時(輸送工程中)や貯蔵時、又は調製後の混合物、特に水溶液は、ストレーナーを通過せしめ、含有する固体をろ別するのが好ましい。濾材としては、ポリプロピレン等の樹脂やステンレス鋼であり、(目開きで規定される)粒径30μm、さらには10μmを有する粒子のために使用されるろ材の分離効率が少なくとも90%であることが好ましい。
本発明では作業性や安定性に優れるため、下記(4-1)~(4-8)の高物性の吸水性樹脂を上記生産量で連続的に製造する方法に適している。好適には第1の吸水性樹脂として、アルキレンカーボネート(特にエチレンカーボネート)で表面架橋したポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂であって、内部気泡率0.5%以上かつ(明細書で規定の下記(5-16)の測定法(2)での)残存エチレングリコール1000ppm以下のポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂を提供する。
本発明の吸水性樹脂は高速度を示す多孔質でありながら、エチレンカーボネート由来の残存エチレングリコールも少なく、また、(親水性の表面架橋剤である多価アルコールとちがって)疎水化されやすいアルキレンカーボネート化合物の影響も少なく、高速度で親水性でもある。
本発明では作業性や安定性に優れるため、下記(4-1)~(4-8)の高物性の吸水性樹脂を上記生産量で連続的に製造する方法に適している。好適にはアルキレンカーボネート(特にエチレンカーボネート)で表面架橋した内部気泡率0.5%以上のポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂であって、残存エチレングリコール1000ppm以下の吸水性樹脂を提供する。
4.8kPaの加圧下での0.9重量%の塩化ナトリウム水溶液に対する吸水倍率(AAP)が好ましくは20[g/g]
内部気泡率0.5%以上でかつ明細書で規定(下記(5-16)の測定法(2))での残存エチレングリコール1000ppm以下
無加圧下吸水倍率(CRC)は、好ましくは10[g/g]以上であり、より好ましくは20[g/g]以上、
69重量%生理食塩水流れ誘導性(SFC)は1[×10-7・cm3・s・g-1]のポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂をも提供する。
(4-1)AAP(加圧下吸水倍率)
紙オムツでのモレを防止するため、上記重合後の表面架橋を達成手段の一例として、1.9kPaの加圧下、更には4.8kPaの加圧下での0.9重量%の塩化ナトリウム水溶液に対する吸水倍率(AAP)が好ましくは20[g/g]以上、より好ましくは22[g/g]以上、更に好ましくは24[g/g]以上に制御される。AAPの上限は高いほど好ましいが、他の物性とのバランスから上限は通常40[g/g]、更には35[g/g]、特に荷重4.8kPの場合は30[g/g]程度が好ましい。
無加圧下吸水倍率(CRC)は、好ましくは10[g/g]以上であり、より好ましくは20[g/g]以上、更に好ましくは25[g/g]以上、特に好ましくは30[g/g]以上に制御される。CRCは高いほど好ましく上限値は特に限定されないが、他の物性(特に通液性)のバランスから、好ましくは50[g/g]以下、より好ましくは45[g/g]以下、更に好ましくは40[g/g]以下である。好ましくは、CRCが、25~35[g/g]の範囲である。CRCは架橋剤量等で制御できる。尚、上記非特許文献1のTable5.6には、市販の吸水性樹脂の吸水倍率(測定方法の詳細な記載はない)について開示されている。具体的には、Aquakeepが65.4[g/g]、Sanwet IM-1000が58.3[g/g]である事実を開示するが、本発明の課題(通液性と吸水速度の両立)をより解決するため、本発明では上記範囲内に無加圧下吸水倍率(CRC)を制御することが好ましい。
紙オムツでのモレを防止するため、上記重合及びその粒度制御した表面架橋を達成手段の一例として、加圧下での液の通液特性である0.69重量%生理食塩水流れ誘導性(SFC)は1[×10-7・cm3・s・g-1]以上、30[×10-7・cm3・s・g-1]以上、45[×10-7・cm3・s・g-1]以上、50[×10-7・cm3・s・g-1]以上、70[×10-7・cm3・s・g-1]以上、100[×10-7・cm3・s・g-1]以上に制御される。SFCは周知の測定法であり、例えば、米国特許第5562646号に記載方法で規定できる。本発明の独立気泡率を制御した吸水性樹脂粉末は、SFC及びFSRを高く両立することができる。SFCの上限については適宜決定されるが、他の物性とのバランスから好ましくは1000[×10-7・cm3・s・g-1]程度である。
水可溶分は、好ましくは35重量%以下、より好ましくは25重量%以下であり、更に好ましくは15重量%以下、特に好ましくは10重量%以下である。
上記重合(発泡重合)を達成手段の一例として、本発明の吸水性樹脂粉末は、20gの生理食塩水に対する吸水性樹脂粉末1gでの吸水速度(FSR)は、通常0.05[g/g/s]以上、好ましくは0.1[g/g/s]以上、より好ましくは0.15[g/g/s]以上、更に好ましくは0.20[g/g/s]以上、特に好ましくは0.25[g/g/s]以上である。上限としては、好ましくは0.50[g/g/s]以下、より好ましくは1.0[g/g/s]以下である。FSRの測定法は国際公開第2009/016055号パンフレットで規定される。本発明の内部気泡率を制御した吸水性樹脂粉末は、SFC及びFRSを高く両立することができる。
吸水性樹脂粉末の嵩比重は、通常、0.58~0.8(0.58~0.80と同義である)[g/cm3]であり、好ましくは0.6~0.8(0.60~0.80と同義である)[g/cm3]であり、より好ましくは0.63~0.77[g/cm3]、更に好ましくは0.66~0.74[g/cm3]である。本発明の好適な一実施形態では内部気泡を有している(別称;多孔質構造)が、高い嵩比重を有する。
表面張力(実施例の測定法で規定)は、好ましくは60[mN/m]以上、より好ましくは65[mN/m]以上、更に好ましくは67[mN/m]以上、特に好ましくは70[mN/m]以上、最も好ましくは72[mN/m]以上であり、実質的な表面張力の低下もない。上限は通常75[mN/m]で十分である。所望の下限値を下回ると膨潤ゲルの表面濡れ性が増してドライ感が損なわれ、また、パルプとの共存化ではパルプからの尿などの水溶液のsuction powerが低下するので戻り量が増加することもある。
本発明の上記製造方法で得られた吸水性樹脂粉末は、好ましくは、その内部に所定量の空隙を有する。好適な表面架橋剤は上記したように、環状脱水反応性表面架橋剤、さらには、特定範囲の内部気泡率(吸水性樹脂粉末内部での気泡含有率、別称;空隙率、独立気泡率)を有する新規な吸水性樹脂粉末を提供する。
ここで十分に乾燥(含水率1重量%未満が好ましく、0.5重量%未満がより好ましく、0.1重量%未満が特に好ましい)した吸水性樹脂粉末についての真密度[g/cm3]は、化学組成(高分子の繰り返し単位やその他、架橋剤等の微量原料や、任意に使用されるグラフト成分)によって一義的に決定される。従って、ポリアクリル酸系吸水性樹脂粉末においては、その中和率、その塩の種類(例えば、中和率75モル%のポリアクリル酸ナトリウム)や微量原料由来による若干の差を有するが、ほぼ一定値を示す。
すなわち、粒度850~150μmの割合が95重量%以上であるポリアクリル酸系吸水性樹脂粉末であって、アルキレンカーボネート化合物、好ましくはで表面架橋されてなり且つ下記式で規定される内部気泡率が2.8~6.6%であることを特徴とする、吸水性樹脂粉末である。
本発明者らは単量体や架橋剤としてエチングリコールを全く使用しない吸水性樹脂でもエチレングリコールが含有される場合があることを見出し、かかるエチレングリコールの由来を追求した結果、表面架橋剤に用いられる原料(特にエチレングリコール誘導体;例、エチレンカーボネートやポリエチレングリコール)中の不純物又は調製された表面架橋剤中の分解物であり、特に分解物であることを見出した。さらに、表面架橋剤としてアルキレンカーボネート(特にエチレンカーボネート)を使用して物性(特に加圧下吸収倍率や加圧下通液性)等を向上させると、多量の表面架橋剤や高温での反応が必要なため、原料でエチレングリコールを全く使用しない吸水性樹脂でも、また、エチレンカーボネート等のアルキレンカーボネートに含まれるエチレングリコールやエチレングリコール系不純物が実質的にゼロの高純度のものを使用しても、最終製品にエチレングリコールが副生することを見出した。
本発明は上記吸水性樹脂粉末の製造方法により、安全で高物性の吸水性樹脂粉末(第2の吸水性樹脂)を提供する。上記第1および第2の吸水性樹脂は、好ましくは、“および(and)”で諸物性や化合物を満足する。
以下、実施例に従って発明を説明するが、本発明は実施例に限定され解釈させるものではない。又、本発明の特許請求の範囲や実施例に記載の諸物性は、以下の測定法(5-1)~(5-15)に従って求めた。尚、特に断りのない限り、各実施例での各工程は実質常圧(大気圧の±5%、更に好ましくは1%以内)で行なわれ、同一工程では意図的な加圧又は減圧による圧力変化は加えずに実施した。
米国特許出願公開第2006/204755号に準じて、標準篩で分級して重量平均粒子径(D50)及び粒度分布の対数標準偏差(σζ)を求めた。
ERT441.2-0.2に従い、0.90重量%塩化ナトリウム水溶液(生理食塩水とも称する)に対する無加圧下で30分の吸水倍率(CRC)を求めた。
吸水性樹脂粉末において、180℃で揮発しない成分が占める割合を表す。含水率との関係は、{固形分=100-含水率}となる。
吸水性樹脂粉末1.00gを25mlガラス製ビーカー(直径32~34mm、高さ50mm)に入れた。この際、ビーカーに入れた吸水性樹脂粉末の上面が水平となるようにした(必要により、慎重にビーカーをたたく等の処置を行うことで吸水性樹脂粉末表面を水平にしてもよい。)。
嵩比重測定器(蔵持科学機器製作所製)を用い、JIS K 3362に準じて測定した。粒度による偏りを無くすため十分に混合された吸水性樹脂粉末100.0gを、ダンパーを閉めた漏斗に入れた後、速やかにダンパーを開け、吸水性樹脂粉末を内容量100mlの受器(重量W9[g])に落とした。受器から盛り上がった吸水性樹脂粉末は、ガラス棒ですり落とした後、吸水性樹脂粉末の入った受器の重さ(重量W10[g])を0.1gまで正確に量り、数4にしたがって嵩比重を算出した。
十分に洗浄された100mlのビーカーに20℃に調整された生理食塩水50mlを入れ、まず、生理食塩水の表面張力を表面張力計(KRUSS社製のK11自動表面張力計)で測定した。この測定において表面張力の値が71~75[mN/m]の範囲でなくてはならない。
SFCは周知の測定法であり、米国特許第5562646号に記載の手法にて測定を行った。
初期着色(吸水性樹脂の製造直後の着色)として、白色度とは粉体の白さを示す指標であり、X、Y、Z値又はL、a、b値を用いて算出される。中でも白さ度合いを比較するために有用な吸水性樹脂粉末のWB値を、分光色差計を用いて測定した。尚、初期着色に対して、長期間保存中での着色(進行)や衛生材料中での着色(進行)を経時着色という。
粉体仕込みセル:φ35mm、高さ15mm
(5-9)耐ダメージ性試験
特許文献38(米国特許6562879号)及びその対応特許である日本国公開特許公報「特開2000-302876号」に記載の(機械的ダメージ試験)方法にて振動時間を10分間として、吸水性樹脂粉末にダメージを与えた。
吸水性樹脂粉末の水分を更に除き、(粉末内部の独立気泡も考慮した)粉末の見かけ密度を乾式密度測定(所定重量の吸水性樹脂粉末体積での乾式測定)で行った。
JIS標準篩で45μm通過物に微粉砕することで内部の独立気泡を破壊又は連続気泡化した吸水性樹脂粉末について、その乾式密度を測定することで、本発明での真密度を求めた。
上記「(5-10)見かけ密度」に記載した方法で測定した見かけ密度(密度ρ1[g/cm3]、及び上記「(5-11)真密度」に記載した方法で測定した真密度(密度ρ2[g/cm3])を用いて、吸水性樹脂粉末の内部気泡率を下記数5に従って算出した。
ERT470.2-02の可溶分測定に準じて、0.9重量%塩化ナトリウム水溶液200mlに、吸水性樹脂粉末1.000gを添加し、1時間攪拌(攪拌時間は16時間から1時間に変更)した後の濾液について、分析することで求められる。
PCT/JP2010/067086号(公開としてWO2011/040530A1)に記載された方法に準じて、20倍膨潤ゲルへのUV照射による可溶分増加量規定される。
特許文献37に準じて、吸水性樹脂粉末2gを、メタノール水溶液2ml(水:メタノール=1:2の混合比)に加えて10分放置した後、さらに48mlのメタノールを加えて超音波発生装置を用いて振動を与えながら吸水性樹脂粉末をリンスした。リンス後、ろ過によりメタノール溶液を分離し、その30mlをエバポレーターにて蒸発乾固させた。得られた乾固物を3mlの燐酸キャリア水溶液にて再度溶解させることで、残存エチレングリコール測定サンプルとした。得られた測定サンプルは液体クロマトで分析することで、残存エチレングリコール含有量を定量した。
特許文献37に対して、エチレングリコールのよりレベルの精密な測定方法として本願では下記に規定する。すなわち、特許文献37は吸水性樹脂粉末が膨潤しないメタノールを用いて粉末脂表面のエチレングリコールをリンスし測定するのに対して、表面層にさらに浸透しているエチレングリコールを測定する方法として、以下、生理食塩水で膨潤させてエチレングリコールを生理食塩水で抽出した。
(5-17)アルミニウムカチオン量の定量
260mlのポリプロピレン製ビーカーに35mmのテフロン(登録商標)の回転子を入れ、秤量した吸水性樹脂粉末1g、0.9 質量% 塩化ナトリウム水溶液190g、2N塩酸10gを加え、マグネティックスターラーを用いて5 分間攪拌した。
吸水性樹脂粉末の連続製造装置(生産能力1500[kg/hr])として、重合工程、ゲル粉砕工程、乾燥工程、粉砕工程、分級工程、表面架橋工程(噴霧工程、加熱処理工程、冷却工程)、整粒工程及び各工程間を連結する輸送工程から構成される装置を用意した。以下に述べる各工程の運転条件で、当該連続製造装置を稼働させ、吸水性樹脂粉末の連続生産を開始した。尚、製造例1では、表面架橋前の吸水性樹脂粒子(a)の製造までについて述べる。
製造例1と同様、吸水性樹脂粉末の連続製造装置(生産能力1500[kg/hr])として、重合工程、ゲル粉砕工程、乾燥工程、粉砕工程、分級工程、表面架橋工程(噴霧工程、加熱処理工程、冷却工程)、整粒工程及び各工程間を連結する輸送工程から構成される装置を用意した。以下に述べる各工程の運転条件で、当該連続製造装置を稼働させ、吸水性樹脂粉末の連続生産を開始した。尚、製造例2では、表面架橋前の吸水性樹脂粒子(b)の製造までについて述べる。
以下、製造例1の吸水性樹脂(a)(内部気泡率0.9%)を表面架橋に用いる場合、実施例1-X(番号)と呼ぶ。以下、同様に、製造例2の吸水性樹脂(b)(同1.1%)を用いる場合、実施例2-X(番号)、製造例3の吸水性樹脂(c)(同4.2%)では実施例3-X(番号)、製造例4の吸水性樹脂(d)(同6.5%)では実施例4-X(番号)と呼ぶ。
(エチレンカーボネートの溶融・貯蔵)
エチレンカーボネートの溶融装置として、加熱用熱媒体を流すことができるジャケット及びブレード攪拌軸を具備した、内容積500Lの双腕型ニーダーを用意した。
続いて、表面架橋剤溶液(1-1)を作製するため、流量及び積算流量が測定できる質量流量計(例えば、コリオリ式質量流量計/エンドレスハウザー社製相当)及び流量調整用の制御弁を備えた輸送配管を用意した。尚、エチレンカーボネート用の輸送配管は温水トレスにより50℃に保温されている。
製造例1で用意した連続製造装置(生産能力1500[kg/hr])を使用して、吸水性樹脂粉末(1-1)を製造した。尚、本実施例1-1では、製造例1から引き続いて、吸水性樹脂粒子(a)の表面架橋工程以降について述べる。
実施例1-1と同様の方法でエチレンカーボネートの溶融・貯蔵を行った後、更に実施例1-1と同様の方法で表面架橋剤溶液(2-1)を作製した。
(1,4-ブタンジオールの溶融・貯蔵)
40℃の溶融状態でメーカーから納入された1,4-ブタンジオールをそのまま中間タンク(原料タンク)に溶融状態で輸送し、貯蔵した。当該輸送は、40℃の温水トレスにより保温された輸送配管及びポンプを用いて行った。尚、ポンプの前にはストレーナーが備えられていた。又、当該中間タンク(原料タンク)は、内容積10m3のSUS304製タンクであり、内容物の加熱・保温を目的とした加熱コイルを具備し、放熱抑制のため外壁が保温されている。更に表面架橋剤溶液を調製するため、吸水性樹脂の製造工程とパイプラインで連結されている。溶融状態で貯蔵している1,4-ブタンジオール(液温約40℃)の液面管理として、2m3から8m3の範囲内となるように、輸送を繰り返し行った。
続いて、表面架橋剤溶液(1-2)を作製するため、流量及び積算流量が測定できる質量流量計(例えば、コリオリ式質量流量計/エンドレスハウザー社製相当)及び流量調整用の制御弁を備えた輸送配管を用意した。尚、1,4-ブタンジオール用の輸送配管は温水トレスにより40℃に保温されている。
実施例1-1において、表面架橋剤溶液(1-1)に代えて、上記操作で得られた表面架橋剤溶液(1-2)4.0重量部に変更した以外は、実施例1-1と同様の操作を行って吸水性樹脂粉末(1-2)を得た。得られた吸水性樹脂粉末(1-2)の諸物性を表1に示す。
実施例1-2と同様の方法で1,4-ブタンジオールの溶融・貯蔵を行った後、更に実施例1-3と同様の方法で表面架橋剤溶液(2-2)を作製した。
実施例1-1と同様の方法でエチレンカーボネートの溶融・貯蔵を行った後、以下の方法により表面架橋剤溶液(1-3)を作製した。
実施例2-1と同様の方法でエチレンカーボネートの溶融・貯蔵を行った後、以下の方法により表面架橋剤溶液(2-3)を作製した。
エチレンカーボネートの溶融装置として、加熱用熱媒体を流すことができるジャケットとコイル、及び攪拌機を具備した、内容積1000Lの円筒型タンクを用意した。
エチレンカーボネートの溶解装置として、加熱用熱媒体を流すことができるジャケット、及び攪拌羽根を具備した、内容積500Lの円筒型タンクを用意した。
加熱用ジャケットを具備したコンテナにより、固体状態で納入されたエチレンカーボネートを以下の方法で溶融し貯蔵した。即ち、上記コンテナのジャケットに水蒸気又は50℃以上の温水を通水して、固体状のエチレンカーボネートを完全に溶融させた。
50~60℃の溶融状態であるエチレンカーボネートを納入し、そのまま中間タンク(原料タンク)に溶融状態で輸送した。当該輸送は、50℃の温水トレスにより保温された輸送配管及びポンプを用いて行った。尚、ポンプの前にはストレーナーが備えられていた。又、当該中間タンク(原料タンク)は、内容積10m3のSUS304製タンクであり、内容物の加熱・保温を目的とした加熱コイルを具備し、放熱抑制のため外壁が保温されている。更に表面架橋剤溶液を調製するため、吸水性樹脂の製造工程とパイプラインで連結されている。溶融状態で貯蔵しているエチレンカーボネート(液温約45℃)の液面管理として、2m3から8m3の範囲内となるように、溶融を繰り返し行った。尚、上記操作において、エチレンカーボネートは安定であり、エチレングリコール(エチレンカーボネートの分解物)の副生は実質認められなかった。
固体状のエチレンカーボネートをそのまま中間タンク(原料タンク)に貯蔵し、吸水性樹脂の表面架橋剤溶液を作製するため、吸水性樹脂の製造工程にスクリューフィーダーで輸送した。
吸水性樹脂の表面架橋剤溶液を作製するため、流量及び積算流量が測定できる質量流量計(例えば、コリオリ式質量流量計/エンドレスハウザー社製相当)及び流量調整用の制御弁を備えた輸送配管を用意した。
吸水性樹脂の表面架橋剤溶液を作製するため、流量及び積算流量が測定できる容積式流量計((株)オーバル社製)及び流量調整用の制御弁を備えた輸送配管を用意した。尚、エチレンカーボネート用の輸送配管は温水トレスにより50℃に保温されている。
実施例1-1において、比較例5-1の固体状のエチレンカーボネートを水溶液として溶解させて、表面架橋剤溶液を作製したが、作業性が悪く、更に一日又は夏冬の気温変化によって、混合比の安定性が低下した。
実施例1-3において、1,4-ブタンジオールを室温にて水溶液として溶解させて、表面架橋剤溶液を作製したが、作業性が悪く、更に一日又は夏冬の気温変化によって、混合比の安定性が低下した。
吸水性樹脂の表面架橋剤溶液を作製するため、流量及び積算流量が測定できる質量流量計(例えば、コリオリ式質量流量計/エンドレスハウザー社製相当)及び流量調整用の制御弁を備えた輸送配管を用意した。尚、エチレンカーボネート用の輸送配管は温水トレスにより50℃に保温されている。
実施例5-7において、バッファータンクを50kgから100kgに変更し、平均滞留時間を30分間から60分間に延長した以外は、実施例5-7と同様の操作を行った。その結果、送液した表面架橋剤溶液中のエチレングリコールは90ppmであった。
実施例5-7において、バッファータンクを50kgから500kgに変更し、平均滞留時間を30分間から5時間に延長した以外は、実施例5-7と同様の操作を行った。その結果、送液した表面架橋剤溶液中のエチレングリコールは448ppmであった。
表1及び実施例1-1~実施例1-3及び実施例2-1~実施例2-3に示すように、融点以上に加熱したアルキレンカーボネートを用いて表面架橋すること、又は、アルキレンカーボネート及び多価アルコールの併用、更にイオン結合性表面架橋剤を併用することで、加圧下吸水倍率(AAP)及び通液性(SFC)の高い吸水性樹脂粉末が得られることが分かる。なお、表には記載しないが、得られた内部気泡率(%)は、製造例1,2に記載の表面架橋前の吸水性樹脂粒子(a)(b)と実質同じであった。また、上記アルキレンカーボネートを用いて得られた吸水性樹脂粉末の残存エチレングリコールは上記(5-16)の測定法(2)で、すべて1000ppm以下であり十分低減されていた。
国際公開第2011/078298号の実施例2に準じて、吸水性樹脂粒子(c)を作製した。
製造例3において、界面活性剤として、1.0重量%のポリオキシエチレン(20)ソルビタンモノステアレート水溶液(花王(株)製)に代えて、1.0重量%のポリエーテル変性シリコーン(側鎖変性末端OH型)水溶液(東レ・ダウコーニング(株)製)を使用した以外は製造例3と同様の操作を行って、単量体水溶液(d’)を作製した。このとき、当該単量体水溶液(d’)の液温は、アクリル酸と水酸化ナトリウムとの中和反応(1段目)で発生した中和熱によって63℃まで上昇した。
容量120mLのポリプロピレン製容器に固体フレーク状のエチレンカーボネート(融点34~37℃)30gを投入した後、50℃のウォーターバスに浸漬して内容物のエチレンカーボネートを溶融した。当該溶融エチレンカーボネートは、表面架橋剤溶液として使用するまで、ウォーターバスで加熱し、溶融した状態で貯蔵した。
製造例4で得られた吸水性樹脂粒子(d)100重量部に対して、実施例3-1で得られた溶融エチレンカーボネート0.47重量部、プロピレングリコール0.75重量部、ポリオキシエチレン(20)ソルビタンモノステアレート(花王(株)製)0.001重量部(吸水性樹脂粒子(d)に対して10ppm)及び脱イオン水4.0重量部からなる表面架橋剤溶液(4-1)を作製した。
表2に示すように、表面が疎水化し易いアルキレンカーボネートによる脱水表面架橋であっても、内部気泡率を制御することで、吸水速度(FSR)の高い吸水性樹脂粉末が得られる。また吸水性樹脂粉末の残存エチレングリコールは上記(5-16)の測定法(2)で、すべて800ppm以下であり十分低減されていた。
容量120mLのポリプロピレン製容器にプロピレンカーボネート30gを投入した後、30℃のウォーターバスに浸漬して内容物のプロピレンカーボネートを加熱した。当該加熱プロピレンカーボネートは、表面架橋剤溶液として使用するまで、ウォーターバスで加熱した状態で貯蔵した。
容量120mLのポリプロピレン製容器にグリセリンカーボネート30gを投入した後、30℃のウォーターバスに浸漬して内容物のグリセリンカーボネートを加熱した。当該加熱グリセリンカーボネートは、表面架橋剤溶液として使用するまで、ウォーターバスで加熱した状態で貯蔵した。
容量120mLのポリプロピレン製容器に固体粉末状の1,6-ヘキサンジオール(融点42.8℃)30gを投入した後、60℃のウォーターバスに浸漬して内容物のヘキサンジオールを加熱した。当該溶融1,6-ヘキサンジオールは、表面架橋剤溶液として使用するまで、ウォーターバスで加熱し、溶融した状態で貯蔵した。
容量120mLのステンレス製容器に固体粉末状のソルビトール(融点96℃)30gを投入した後、100℃のオイルバスに浸漬して内容物のソルビトールを加熱した。当該溶融ソルビトールは、表面架橋剤溶液として使用するまで、オイルバスで加熱し、溶融した状態で貯蔵した。
容量120mLのステンレス製容器に固体状のネオペンチルグリコール(融点130℃)30gを投入した後、150℃のオイルバスに浸漬して内容物のネオペンチルグリコールを加熱した。当該溶融ネオペンチルグリコールは、表面架橋剤溶液として使用するまで、オイルバスで加熱し、溶融した状態で貯蔵した。
実施例3-1の表面架橋剤溶液(3-1)において、溶融エチレンカーボネート(0.47重量部/分子量;88.06)及びプロピレングリコール(0.75重量部/分子量;76.09)に代えて、合計モル数と同一モル数の溶融エチレンカーボネートとした表面架橋剤溶液(3-7)に変更した以外は、実施例3-1と同様の操作を行って吸水性樹脂粉末(3-7)を得た。表面架橋剤溶液(3-7)の組成(重量比)は、溶融エチレングリコール/脱イオン水=1.34/4.0、使用量は13.0gであった。結果を表3に示す。
実施例3-7において、反応時間の短縮を目的として、溶融エチレンカーボネートの使用量を1.52重量部に増加した以外は、実施例3-7と同様の操作を行って吸水性樹脂粉末(3-8)を得た。表面架橋剤溶液(3-8)の組成(重量比)としては、溶融エチレングリコール/脱イオン水=1.52/4.0、使用量は13.0gであった。結果を表3に示す。
実施例3-7において、反応時間の短縮を目的として、脱イオン水の使用量を5.2重量部に増加した以外は、実施例3-7と同様の操作を行って吸水性樹脂粉末(3-9)を得た。表面架橋剤溶液(3-9)の組成(重量比)としては、溶融エチレングリコール/脱イオン水=1.34/5.2使用量は15.4gであった。結果を表3に示す。
実施例3-1の表面架橋剤溶液(3-1)において、溶融エチレンカーボネート(0.47重量部/分子量;88.06)及びプロピレングリコール(0.75重量部/分子量;76.09)に代えて、合計モル数と同一モル数のプロピレングリコールとした比較表面架橋剤溶液(3-1)に変更し、溶融加熱せずに用いた以外は、実施例3-1と同様の操作を行って比較吸水性樹脂粉末(3-1)を得た。比較表面架橋剤溶液(3-1)の組成(重量比)は、プロピレングリコール/脱イオン水=1.16/4.0、使用量は12.2gであった。結果を表3に示す。
実施例3-1の表面架橋剤溶液(3-1)において、溶融エチレンカーボネート(0.47重量部/分子量;88.06)に代えて、同一モル数のグリセリン(分子量;92.09)とした比較表面架橋剤溶液(3-2)に変更した以外は、実施例3-1と同様の操作を行って比較吸水性樹脂粉末(3-2)を得た。比較表面架橋剤溶液(3-2)の組成(重量比)は、グリセリン/プロピレングリコール/脱イオン水=0.49/0.75/4.0、使用量は12.3gであった。結果を表3に示す。尚、上記グリセリンは、特に加熱を行わないで使用した。
実施例3-1の表面架橋剤溶液(3-1)において、溶融エチレンカーボネート(0.47重量部/分子量;88.06)に代えて、同一モル数のエチレングリコール(分子量;62.07)とした比較表面架橋剤溶液(3-3)に変更した以外は、実施例3-1と同様の操作を行って比較吸水性樹脂粉末(3-3)を得た。比較表面架橋剤溶液(3-3)の組成(重量比)は、エチレングリコール/プロピレングリコール/脱イオン水=0.33/0.75/4.0で、使用量は12.0gあった。結果を表3に示す。尚、上記エチレングリコールは、特に加熱を行わないで使用した。
表3より、アルキレンカーボネートと多価アルコールとの併用、特にエチレンカーボネートとの併用によって、反応時間の短縮(生産性の向上)及び残存表面架橋剤量を低減させることができる。又、凝集物が低減され、表面架橋剤の混合性や物性(通液性)も向上する。残存エチレングリコールは上記(5-15)の測定法(1)では、NDないし0.01wt%に低減されていた。
実施例1-1における溶融エチレンカーボネート貯蔵用の中間タンク(原料タンク)において、その上部空間を露点が-15℃のドライエアーで充填し、加熱コイルに50℃の温水を通水して保温した状態として、エチレンカーボネートを溶融状態で30日間貯蔵した。貯蔵前のエチレンカーボネート中に、不純物としてエチレングリコールが0.012重量%含有していたが、30日経過後には0.030重量%に増加していた。又、30日経過後の溶融エチレンカーボネートの色調(ハーゼン色数)は5(APHA)であった。
実施例1-4における溶融エチレンカーボネート貯蔵用の中間タンク(原料タンク)において、貯蔵温度を100℃に変更した以外は、実施例1-4と同様の操作を行って、吸水性樹脂粉末(1-5)を得た。尚、貯蔵温度は、加熱コイルに通水する温水を水蒸気に変えることで実施した。
実施例1-4における溶融エチレンカーボネート貯蔵用の中間タンク(原料タンク)において、貯蔵温度を140℃に変更した以外は、実施例1-5と同様の操作を行って、吸水性樹脂粉末(1-6)を得た。尚、貯蔵温度は、加熱コイルに通水する温水を水蒸気に変えることで実施した。
実施例1-4における溶融エチレンカーボネート貯蔵用の中間タンク(原料タンク)において、エチレンカーボネートを加熱することなく、常温(25℃)で30日間貯蔵した。本比較例1-1では、エチレンカーボネートは中間タンク(原料タンク)内で固化しているため、表面架橋剤溶液の作製は非常に煩雑となり、混合比のフレが認められた。
表4に示したように、実施例1-5~実施例1-7及び比較例1-1より、吸水性樹脂粉末の原料である非高分子有機化合物(特にエチレンカーボネート)を加熱、溶融状態で貯蔵することで、作業性が向上することが分かる。また、着色や副生の観点から、貯蔵温度は、実施例1-4のように融点+20℃以内とすることが好ましい。また吸水性樹脂粉末の残存エチレングリコールは上記(5-16)の測定法(2)で、すべて800ppm以下であり十分低減されていた。
実施例1-1における溶融エチレンカーボネート貯蔵用の中間タンク(原料タンク)において、その上部空間を露点が-15℃のドライエアーで充填し、加熱コイルに50℃の温水を通水して保温した状態として、エチレンカーボネートを溶融状態で30日間貯蔵した。貯蔵前のエチレンカーボネートには、不純物としてエチレングリコールが0.08重量%、及び水分が0.001重量%含まれていた。
実施例1-7において、エチレンカーボネートに水分が0.02重量%となるように水を添加した以外は、実施例1-7と同様の操作を行って吸水性樹脂粉末(1-8)を得た。表5に表面架橋剤溶液(1-8)中のエチレングリコール量を示す。
実施例1-7において、中間タンク(原料タンク)の上部空間に通常の大気(露点30℃以上)を充填した以外は、実施例1-7と同様の操作を行って吸水性樹脂粉末(1-9)を得た。表5に表面架橋剤(1-9)中のエチレングリコール量を示す。
表5に示すように、露点や貯蔵時の水分量によって副生物(エチレングリコール)の低減を図ることができる。
実施例1-1において、30日間貯蔵した溶融エチレンカーボネートを用いて、表面架橋剤溶液(1-10)の液組成がエチレンカーボネート:プロピレングリコール:脱イオン水=1:1.7:8.7(重量比)となるように、各成分をコリオリ式質量流量計で定量して混合して、作製した。当該表面架橋剤溶液(1-10)は、作製後、25℃で1週間貯蔵した。
実施例1-10において、表面架橋剤溶液の貯蔵条件を50℃で1週間に変更した以外は、実施例1-10と同様の操作を行って級数性樹脂粉末(1-11)を得た。尚、表面架橋剤溶液として貯蔵中に増加したエチレングリコールは、エチレンカーボネートに対して1.4モル%であった。
実施例1-10において、プロピレングリコールを表面架橋剤溶液に用いなかった以外は、実施例1-10と同様の操作を行って、吸水性樹脂粉末(1-12)を得た。尚、本実施例1-12で作製した表面架橋剤溶液(1-12)の液組成はエチレンカーボネート:脱イオン水=1:8.7(重量比)、吸水性樹脂100重量部に対しては3.4重量部であった。又、当該表面架橋剤溶液(1-12)を25℃で一週間貯蔵した後、増加したエチレングリコールは、エチレンカーボネートに対して1.7モル%であった。
実施例1-10において、プロピレングリコールを表面架橋剤溶液に用いなかった以外は、実施例1-10と同様の操作を行って、吸水性樹脂粉末(1-13)を得た。尚、実施例1-14で作製した表面架橋剤溶液(1-13)の液組成はエチレンカーボネート:脱イオン水=1:8.7(重量比)、吸水性樹脂100重量部に対しては3.4重量部であった。又、当該表面架橋剤溶液(1-13)を50℃で一週間貯蔵した後、増加したエチレングリコールは、エチレンカーボネートに対して8.0モル%であった。
多価アルコールとエチレンカーボネートとの併用によって、表面架橋剤溶液の保存安定性が向上することが分かる。
実施例1-1における表面架橋剤溶液(1-1)に、更に界面活性剤(ポリオキシエチレンソルビタンモノステアレート)0.001重量部を添加した以外は実施例1-1と同様の操作を行って、吸水性樹脂粉末(1-14)を得た。尚、加熱処理時間としては、実施例1-1と同程度の吸水倍率(CRC=27[g/g])となるまで行った。得られた吸水性樹脂粉末(1-14)の物性を表7に示す。
実施例2-1における表面架橋剤溶液(2-1)に、更に界面活性剤(ポリオキシエチレンソルビタンモノステアレート)0.001重量部を添加した以外は実施例2-1と同様の操作を行って、吸水性樹脂粉末(2-4)を得た。尚、加熱処理時間としては、実施例1-1と同程度の吸水倍率(CRC=27[g/g])となるまで行った。得られた吸水性樹脂粉末(2-4)の物性を表7に示す。
実施例1-2における表面架橋剤溶液(1-2)に、更に界面活性剤(ポリオキシエチレンソルビタンモノステアレート)0.001重量部を添加した以外は実施例1-2と同様の操作を行って、吸水性樹脂粉末(1-15)を得た。尚、加熱処理時間としては、実施例1-2と同程度の吸水倍率(CRC=27[g/g])となるまで行った。得られた吸水性樹脂粉末(1-15)の物性を表7に示す。
実機ベース(1500[kg/hr])での稼働条件において、界面活性剤を使用することで、通液性(SFC)が5~9ポイント向上することが分かる。かような界面活性剤の効果は、数10g程度のスケールではあまり見られないが、上記1t/hr以上の連続生産で顕著に発揮される。
実施例1-1の表面架橋剤溶液の調整および混合において、50℃の溶融エチレンカーボネートを溶解させる水について、予め脱イオン水の温度を40℃に加温して同様に連続混合した。表面架橋剤水溶液は夏冬昼夜を通して長期間一定温度(41~44℃)に制御でき、冬場を含め、溶融エチレンカーボネートの析出もなく、吸水性樹脂にコリオリ式質量流量計で連続添加する際にもさらに混合比が安定化できた。
実施例1-2において、40℃に加熱溶融させた1,4-ブタンジオールを吸水性樹脂の重合時の内部架橋剤に使用した。すなわち、製造例1の重合において、ポリエチレングリコールアクリレート(0.09モル%)に代えて、ポリエチレングリコールアクリレート(0.07モル%)とさらに40℃に加熱溶融させた1,4-ブタンジオールを0.01モル%(対単量体)併用した。ここで内部架橋剤の混合にはコリオリ式質量流量計を使用した。結果を表8に示す。
実施例1-1において、イオン結合性架橋剤として硫酸アルミニウム水溶液0.95重量部に代えて、ポリビニルアミン水溶液を使用した。ここで、ポリビニルアミン水溶液は、表面が架橋された吸水性樹脂粒子(1-1)100重量部に対して、LeredurPR8097(ポリビニルアミン、固形分約10%の水溶液、BASF社製)3重量部をスプレーして使用することで、吸水性樹脂(1-18)を得た。なお、混合比の調整にはコリオリ式質量流量計を使用した。結果を表8に示す。
実施例1-1において、イオン結合性架橋剤として硫酸アルミニウム水溶液0.95重量部に代えて、塩化鉄を使用した。ここで、塩化鉄水溶液は、上述した強制冷却時において、表面が架橋された吸水性樹脂粒子(1-1)100重量部に対して、塩化鉄(III)6水和物の50重量%水溶液2重量部を均一にスプレーして混合した。結果を表8に示す。
実施例1-1において、イオン結合性架橋剤として硫酸アルミニウム水溶液0.95重量部に代えて、ジルコニウム水溶液を使用した。ここで、表面が架橋された吸水性樹脂粒子(1-1)100重量部に対して、Bacote20(炭酸ジルコニウムアンモニウム、酸化ジルコニウム分として20重量%の水溶液、MELchemicals製)2重量部を均一にスプレーして混合した。結果を表8に示す。
実施例1-17より、加熱溶融した1,4-ブタンジオールは内部架橋剤にも使用できることが分かる。実施例1-18~実施例1-20より、イオン性架橋剤としてアルミニウムにかえて、鉄、ジルコニウム、ポリアミンポリマーも使用でき、アルミニウムに比べて鉄はSFCが若干劣り、またジルコニウム、ポリアミンポリマーではAAPが若干劣ることが分かる。
容量120mLのステンレス製容器に固体状の2-オキサゾリドン(融点87℃)30gを投入した後、100℃のオイルバスに浸漬して内容物の2-オキサゾリドンを加熱した。当該溶融2-オキサゾリドンは、表面架橋剤溶液として使用するまで、オイルバスで加熱し、溶融した状態で貯蔵した。この間分解は見られなかった。
実施例3-1の表面架橋剤溶液(3-1)において、組成(重量比)が、エチレングリコールジグリシジルエーテル/プロピレングリコール/脱イオン水=0.1/0.75/4.0である表面架橋剤溶液(3-11)に変更し、使用量を11.4gとした以外は、実施例3-1と同様の操作を行って吸水性樹脂粉末(3-11)を得た。尚、エチレングリコールジグリシジルエーテルは加熱せずに用いた。加熱時間は30分、SFCは90[×10-7・cm3・s・g-1]であった。
実施例3-1において、表面架橋された吸水性樹脂粉末100重量部に、水性液(3-1)に代えてポリ(N-ビニルホルムアミド)の部分加水分解物の水溶液(固形分9重量%、重量平均分子量約400000、加水分解率約50モル%)(水性液3-12)を5重量部添加し、無風条件下において90℃で1時間加熱した。次いで、目開き850μmのJIS標準篩に通過させ、吸水性樹脂粉末(3-12)を得た。SFCは107[×10-7・cm3・s・g-1]であった。
実施例1-1で表面架橋剤の混合比において、質量流量計に代えて、容積質量流量計を使用したところ、誤差(変動幅)が約3%あった。
実施例1-1で表面架橋剤の混合比において、質量流量計に代えて、渦流量計を使用したところ、誤差(変動幅)が約3%あった。
実施例1において、表面架橋剤エチレンカーボネート(融点36℃)に代えて、ステアリルアルコール(融点58.5℃)を70℃で溶融させた。
特許文献37の参考例1および実施例2に準じて表面架橋を行った。すなわち、参考例1で得られた吸水性樹脂(a)100質量部に、エチレンカーボネート0.2質量部、1,3-プロパンジオール0.3質量部と、水3質量部とからなる表面架橋剤水溶液3.5質量部を噴霧混合した。上記の混合物を、パドル型混合加熱処理機を用いてその上部空間の気体を外気と置換しながら、粉体温度195℃で45分間加熱処理して表面架橋された吸水性樹脂(2)を得た。得られた表面架橋された吸水性樹脂(2)に水溶液を2質量部、ジエチレントリアミン5酢酸ナトリウムが表面架橋された吸水性樹脂(2)に対して50ppmとなるように噴霧混合した。得られた混合物を60℃で1時間硬化し、さらに目開き710μmのふるいを通過させることにより、特許文献37の粒子状吸水剤(2)を得た。CRC=35,AAP=21,SFC=9であった。特許文献37はエチレンカーボネートの溶融を開示しないし、さらにイオン架橋剤を使用する本発明の方法ではSFCが高いことが分かる。
22・・・第一タンク
24・・・第二タンク
26・・・第三タンク
28・・・ラインミキサー
30・・・第四タンク
32・・・第一配管
34・・・第二配管
36・・・第三配管
38・・・第四配管
40・・・第五配管
42・・・循環ライン
8-1・・原料投入ライン
8-2・・ジャケット式タンク
8-3・・循環ライン
8-4・・送液ライン
8-5・・ジャケット
8-6・・熱媒流入ライン
8-7・・熱媒排出ライン
9-1・・原料投入ライン
9-2・・貯蔵タンク
9-3・・循環ライン
9-4・・送液ライン
9-5・・多管式外部熱交換器
Claims (30)
- 非高分子有機化合物を加熱状態で貯蔵したのち、該加熱状態の非高分子有機化合物と他の化合物の1種以上とを所定比率に混合した混合物を、ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂に混合することを特徴とする、ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粉末の製造方法。
- 加熱溶融状態の非高分子有機化合物と他の化合物の1種以上とを所定比率に混合した混合物を、ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粒子に混合することを特徴とする、ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粉末の製造方法。
- 質量流量計で所定比率に制御された非高分子有機化合物と他の化合物の1種以上との混合物を、ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粒子に混合することを特徴とする、ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粉末の製造方法。
- 前記非高分子有機化合物と前記他の化合物の1種以上との混合比の制御、または、前記非高分子有機化合物と前記他の化合物の1種以上との混合物と吸水性樹脂との混合比を制御するために質量流量計を用いる、請求項1または2項に記載の製造方法。
- 質量流量計がコリオリ式質量流量計である、請求項3又は4に記載の製造方法。
- 前記所定比率に混合した混合物が水溶液であることを特徴とする請求項1から5に記載の製造方法。
- 前記非高分子有機化合物が10~100℃の融点を有し、融点を100℃以下越える範囲で加熱する、請求項1~6の何れか1項に記載の製造方法。
- 前記非高分子有機化合物の加熱温度が30~90℃で、融点を100℃以下越える範囲で加熱する、請求項1~7の何れか1項に記載の製造方法。
- 前記非高分子有機化合物と混合する前記他の化合物の1種以上が加温されてなる、請求項1~8の何れか1項に記載の製造方法。
- 前記他の化合物の1種以上の温度が、30℃~100℃であるか、または、前記吸水性樹脂に混合する前の前記非高分子有機化合物と前記他の化合物の1種以上との混合物の温度が30℃~100℃となるように前記他の化合物の温度を制御することを特徴とする、請求項1~9の何れか1項に記載の製造方法。
- 前記非高分子有機化合物の水分量が1.0重量%以下である、請求項1~10の何れか1項に記載の製造方法。
- 前記非高分子有機化合物が前記吸水性樹脂粉末の表面架橋剤である、請求項1~11に記載の製造方法。
- 前記表面架橋剤が1種または複数の脱水反応性表面架橋剤である、請求項12に記載の製造方法。
- 前記脱水反応性表面架橋剤がアルキレンカーボネート化合物を含む、請求項12に記載の製造方法。
- 前記アルキレンカーボネート化合物がエチレンカーボネートである、請求項14に記載の製造方法。
- 前記混合物がアルキレンカーボネート化合物および多価アルコール化合物を含む、請求項1~15の何れか1項に記載の製造方法。
- さらに、多価金属化合物を、前記混合物と同時又は別途吸水性樹脂に混合する工程を有する請求項1~16の何れか1項に記載の製造方法。
- さらに、界面活性剤及びヒドロキシカルボン酸化合物から選ばれる少なくとも1種を、前記混合物と同時又は別途吸水性樹脂に混合する工程を有する請求項1~17の何れか1項に記載の製造方法。
- 前記吸水性樹脂が内部気泡率0.5%以上である、請求項1~18の何れか1項に記載の製造方法。
- 前記混合物と混合される前記吸水性樹脂が予め35℃以上に加熱されてなる、請求項1~19の何れか1項に記載の製造方法。
- 前記混合物と混合する前の、前記吸水性樹脂中のβ-ヒドロキシプロピオン酸(塩)が1000ppm以下である、請求項1~20の何れか1項に記載の製造方法。
- 前記吸水性樹脂粉末が1時間あたり1トン以上の連続生産される、請求項1~21の何れか1項に記載の製造方法。
- 前記非高分子有機化合物の輸送工程でストレーナーを使用する、請求項1~22の何れか1項に記載の製造方法。
- 前記非高分子有機化合物の貯蔵時の雰囲気露点が20℃以下である、請求項1~23の何れか1項に記載の製造方法。
- 前記混合物の温度を50℃以下に制御し、更に混合時点から10日以内に前記吸水性樹脂に混合する、請求項1~24の何れか1項に記載の製造方法。
- 前記混合物が3成分以上である、請求項1~25の何れか1項に記載の製造方法。
- 吸水性樹脂粉末の原料である前記非高分子有機化合物を加熱状態で貯蔵することを特徴とする、ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粉末の原料の貯蔵方法。
- 吸水性樹脂粉末の原料である非高分子有機化合物を貯蔵後に、加熱状態で輸送することを特徴とする、ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粉末の原料の輸送方法。
- 請求項27及び/又は請求項28の方法を用いて得られた加熱状態の前記非高分子有機化合物のポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂粉末の製造工程での使用。
- 前記加熱状態の非高分子有機化合物がカルボキシル基と脱水反応しうる架橋剤である、請求項29に記載の使用。
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WO2014041969A1 (ja) | 2012-09-11 | 2014-03-20 | 株式会社日本触媒 | ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水剤の製造方法及びその吸水剤 |
WO2014041968A1 (ja) | 2012-09-11 | 2014-03-20 | 株式会社日本触媒 | ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水剤の製造方法及びその吸水剤 |
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JP2016132778A (ja) * | 2015-01-16 | 2016-07-25 | エルジー・ケム・リミテッド | 高吸水性樹脂 |
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US10493429B2 (en) | 2019-12-03 |
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US20140042364A1 (en) | 2014-02-13 |
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