CN-122003394-A - Method for operating a reactive monomer reservoir

Abstract

A method of operating a reactive monomer storage tank includes supplying a lower effluent stream of the storage tank containing liquid reactive monomer and polymerization inhibitor to a first heat exchanger, cooling the lower effluent stream, and then refluxing the lower effluent stream to a liquid phase region of the storage tank, and supplying an upper effluent stream of the storage tank containing gaseous reactive monomer to a second heat exchanger by a pressurizing device, cooling the upper effluent stream, and then refluxing the upper effluent stream to a gas phase region of the storage tank.

Inventors

• Qiu Yuanxu
• An Xianxiu
• LI CHENGGUI

Assignees

• 株式会社LG化学

Dates

Publication Date

20260508

Application Date

20250616

Priority Date

20240903

Claims (10)

1. 1. A method of operating a reactive monomer storage tank comprising: Supplying a lower effluent stream of the storage tank containing liquid reactive monomer and polymerization inhibitor to a first heat exchanger, cooling the lower effluent stream and then refluxing the lower effluent stream to a liquid phase region of the storage tank, and An upper effluent stream of the storage tank containing gaseous reactive monomer is supplied to a second heat exchanger by a pressurizing device, cooled, and then returned to a gas phase region of the storage tank.
2. 2. The method of operating a reactive monomer storage tank of claim 1, comprising: Air is injected into the upper effluent stream of the storage tank to control the dissolved oxygen concentration in the liquid and vapor phase regions of the storage tank.
3. 3. The method of operating a reactive monomer tank of claim 2, Wherein the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the liquid phase region of the tank is controlled to be 5ppm to 30ppm, The oxygen concentration in the gas phase region of the storage tank is controlled to be 2 to 10% by volume.
4. 4. The method of operating a reactive monomer tank of claim 1, Wherein the temperature of the liquid phase region of the tank is maintained in the range of-8 ℃ to 35 ℃, The temperature of the gas phase region of the tank is maintained in the range of 0 ℃ to 35 ℃.
5. 5. The method of operating a reactive monomer tank of claim 1, Wherein the pressure of the gas phase region of the tank is maintained in the range of 0mmH 2 O to 200mmH 2 O.
6. 6. The method of operating a reactive monomer storage tank of claim 1, comprising: an inert gas is injected into an upper discharge stream of the storage tank and supplied to a gas phase region of the storage tank.
7. 7. The method of operating a reactive monomer tank of claim 6, Wherein the inert gas includes at least one selected from nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
8. 8. The method of operating a reactive monomer tank of claim 1, Wherein the reactive monomer is selected from the group consisting of styrene, acrylonitrile, and butadiene.
9. 9. The method of operating a reactive monomer tank of claim 1, Wherein the polymerization inhibitor comprises at least one selected from 4-tert-butylcatechol and p-tert-butylcatechol.
10. 10. The method of operating a reactive monomer tank of claim 1, Wherein the pressurizing device is a blower or a compressor.

Description

Method for operating a reactive monomer reservoir Technical Field Cross Reference to Related Applications The present application claims priority and benefit from korean patent application No.10-2024-0119625 filed on 9 and 03 of 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein as part of the specification. The present disclosure relates to an operation method of a reactive monomer tank, and more particularly, to an operation method capable of stably suppressing polymerization in a tank storing a reactive monomer even in the case of a change in external environment. Background In reactive monomer production plants, reactive monomers are transferred, stored, managed, and shipped to storage tanks. Sometimes, polymerization in the storage tanks prior to shipment of the product results in increased polymer content, resulting in product specification deviations and sales outages. Furthermore, in certain environments where high temperatures are present or where inhibitors are absent, polymerization of the reactive monomers may occur at a much faster rate than usual. Polymerization is an exothermic reaction that releases a large amount of heat during the polymerization process, which results in runaway polymerization due to the heat. Furthermore, due to the rapid heat release rate, monomers or flammable substances heated above the boiling point evaporate to form an explosive vapor cloud, which can lead to an explosion if an ignition source is present. Representative examples of such reactive monomers may include Styrene Monomer (SM). Styrene monomer is the major base oil component of petrochemicals used as a raw material for plastic synthesis of Polystyrene (PS), SBR and ABS. The double bond (vinyl) in the styrene monomer structure has the property of being easily polymerized by light, heat, peroxide, catalyst and the like, and is used as a raw material for polymer synthesis. However, due to its high reactivity, styrene monomer may cause unintended polymerization, i.e., self-polymerization, in the storage tank during storage and transportation. Periodic monitoring of the temperature of the styrene monomer, the polymerization inhibitor in the styrene monomer, and the polymer concentration in the styrene monomer to properly control the self-polymerization is very important in terms of product management. In factories where reactive monomers such as styrene monomers are produced and managed, the temperature in the tank and the concentration of the polymerization inhibitor are very important factors for management and operation, but unexpected temperature rise may occur due to the influence of external environment. When a temperature change occurs due to an influence of an external temperature or the like, polymerization may occur and a polymer may be formed, which may cause not only an economic loss but also a serious accident. Further, when the gaseous reactive monomer generated at a high temperature is condensed on the inner wall of the tank due to the influence of an external environment such as an external temperature and stagnates in a no-flow state, a problem of generating a solid polymer (oxide) may occur. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a technique that can stably inhibit polymerization and prevent polymer formation even when the external environment changes during the operation of a tank storing a reactive monomer. Disclosure of Invention Technical problem The problem to be solved in the present disclosure is to provide a method of inhibiting polymerization of reactive monomers and preventing formation of polymers by stably operating a tank storing the reactive monomers in response to a change in an external environment, to solve the problems described in the above-mentioned background art. However, the problem to be solved by the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described aspects. That is, other problems not mentioned are obviously understood by those skilled in the art from the following disclosure. Technical proposal In one general aspect, a method of operating a reactive monomer storage tank includes supplying a lower effluent stream of the storage tank containing liquid reactive monomer and polymerization inhibitor to a first heat exchanger, cooling the lower effluent stream, and then refluxing the lower effluent stream to a liquid phase region of the storage tank, and supplying an upper effluent stream of the storage tank containing gaseous reactive monomer to a second heat exchanger by a pressurizing device, cooling the upper effluent stream, and then refluxing the upper effluent stream to a gas phase region of the storage tank. Advantageous effects According to the operation method of the reactive monomer tank of the present disclosure, the reactive monomer can be stably stored by controlling the temperature, pressure, and/or oxygen concentration of the liquid phase region and the gas phase region in the tank in response to a change in the external environment. More speci