US 12,466,904 B2
Reduction in VOC and FOG values of filled heterophasic polypropylene by separate aeration of individual polyolefin components
Andreas Fuchs, Linz (AT); Luca Boragno, Linz (AT); Klaus Bernreitner, Linz (AT); Markus Gahleitner, Linz (AT); Jürgen Huber, Linz (AT); and Stefanie Engleder, Linz (AT)
Assigned to BOREALIS AG, Vienna (AT)
Appl. No. 17/637,025
Filed by BOREALIS AG, Vienna (AT)
PCT Filed Aug. 12, 2020, PCT No. PCT/EP2020/072629
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Feb. 21, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/037565, PCT Pub. Date Mar. 4, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 19194717 (EP), filed on Aug. 30, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2024/0425619 A1, Dec. 26, 2024
Int. Cl. C08F 6/00 (2006.01); B29C 48/36 (2019.01); B29K 23/00 (2006.01); B29K 63/00 (2006.01); C08J 3/00 (2006.01); C08K 3/34 (2006.01); C08L 23/12 (2006.01)
CPC C08F 6/005 (2013.01) [B29C 48/36 (2019.02); C08K 3/34 (2013.01); C08L 23/12 (2013.01); B29K 2023/065 (2013.01); B29K 2023/12 (2013.01); B29K 2023/16 (2013.01); B29K 2063/00 (2013.01); C08J 3/005 (2013.01); C08J 2323/14 (2013.01); C08J 2423/06 (2013.01); C08J 2423/08 (2013.01); C08J 2423/12 (2013.01); C08L 2205/035 (2013.01); C08L 2207/02 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A process for reducing the volatile and semi-volatile organic content (VOC and FOG values) of a heterophasic polypropylene composition, the heterophasic polypropylene composition comprising:
i) at least 15 wt. % of at least a first heterophasic polypropylene;
ii) less than 15 wt. % of at least one elastomeric polyolefin;
iii) at least one filler;
iv) optionally polyethylene; and
v) optionally further polyolefins
to below 100 μg/g (VOC, VDA 278 October 2011) and below 390 μg/g (FOG, VDA 278 October 2011),
the process comprising the steps of:
a) aerating the first heterophasic polypropylene through steps a1) to a5) as a substrate:
a1) providing an aeration vessel having
at least one inlet for aeration gas,
at least one outlet for exhaust gas,
an inlet for the substrate at the top of the aeration vessel,
an outlet for the substrate at the bottom of the aeration vessel;
wherein the substrate is present as a packed bed;
a2) initiating a counter-current flow of the substrate and aeration gas
a3) by;
feeding a substrate showing a VOC value of greater than 100 μg/g and an FOG value of greater than 390 μg/g (VOC and FOG values according to VDA 278 October 2011), into said aeration vessel from the top,
feeding the aeration gas into said aeration vessel via the at least one inlet at the bottom;
withdrawing the exhaust gas via the outlet for exhaust gas;
a4) maintaining said aeration gas flow for an aeration time of less than 12 hours;
a5) withdrawing an aerated substrate having a VOC value of below 100 μg/g and an FOG value of below 390 μg/g (VOC and FOG values according to VDA 278 October 2011) via the outlet at the bottom of the aeration vessel;
b) repeating steps a1) to a5) for the respective aeration of each further substrate that is present in an amount of at least 15 wt. % relative to the total weight of the heterophasic polypropylene composition, such that all substrates which are individually present in an amount of at least 15 wt. % relative to the total weight of the heterophasic polypropylene composition are aerated;
c) extruding the withdrawn first heterophasic polypropylene and any further aerated substrates with the at least one elastomeric polyolefin and the at least one filler and the optional polyethylene and/or optional further polyolefin(s) if present to afford the heterophasic polypropylene composition having a VOC value below 100 μg/g (VDA 278 October 2011) and a FOG value below 390 μg/g (VDA 278 October 2011), wherein the at least one elastomeric polyolefin and the at least one filler are not aerated.