Inventors:
Charles J. Maurer - Matthews NC
Gordon Shaw - Charlotte NC
Vicky S. Smith - Greer SC
Steven J. Buelow - Los Alamos NM
William Tumas - Los Alamos NM
Veronica Contreras - San Antonio TX
Ronald J. Martinez - Santa Cruz NM
Assignee:
The Regents of the University of California - Los Alamos NM
International Classification:
C08F 600, C08F 200
Abstract:
A process is disclosed for the preparation of a polyester polymer or polyester copolymer under superatmospheric pressure conditions in a pipe or tubular reaction under turbannular flow conditions. Reaction material having a glycol equivalents to carboxylic acid equivalents mole ratio of from 1. 0:1 to 1. 2:1, together with a superatmospheric dense gaseous medium are fed co-currently to the reactor. Dicarboxylic acid and/or diol raw materials may be injected into any of the reaction zones in the process during operation to achieve the overall desired mole ratio balance. The process operates at temperatures of from about 220. degree. C. to about 320. degree. C. , with turbannular flow achieved before the polymer product and gas exit the reactor process. The pressure in the reaction zones can be in the range from 15 psia to 2500 psia. A polymer product having a DP of a greater than 40, more preferably at least about 70, is achieved by the transfer of water from the reacting material polymer melt to the gaseous medium in the reactor.