Method of manufacturing foam beads

摘要

A continuous process for manufacturing foam beads using a simple apparatus, wherein the expansion agent can be easily recycled. Polymer particles and a dispersing medium are fed continuously to an unstirred mass transfer column having a high length to diameter ratio which is operated under pressure. The polymer particles and dispersing medium are subjected to thermal processing under pressure in the mass transfer column, and the resulting dispersion is sprayed into a low pressure space causing the polymer particles to expand. Accordingly, foam beads of constant quality and a uniform cell diameter and a uniform degree of expansion are manufactured without costly process means.