| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide apparatus and method for continuously manufacturing a polycondensation polymer, wherein fluids to be treated are, respectively, retained in individual reactors only within necessary residence times and are successively transferred for reaction, by arranging the bottom of an initial polymerization vessel at a level higher than the bottom position of a final polymerization vessel, and operating a flow rate control valve, attached between the polymerization vessels, by an output from a liquid level detecting means within the initial polymerization vessel. SOLUTION: This apparatus is favorable for the treatment of a highly viscous fluid, particularly for polycondensation of polyethylene terephthalate or the like operated under reduced pressure. An initial polymerization vessel 2 is set at a level of its bottom higher by H1 than the bottom position of a final polymerizer 3. Starting materials, such as ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid and the like, are heated in an esterification vessel 1, and the resultant oligomer, from which water and the like formed during the reaction have been removed, is fed to the initial polymerization vessel 2 by means of a first gear pump 4. The polymer of a low degree of polymerization obtained after the initial polymerization is passed into the final polymerizer 3 through a flow rate control valve 6, and a polymer with a predetermined degree of polymerization is withdrawn by means of a second gear pump. The liquid level within the initial polymerization vessel 2 is detected by means of a level meter, and the apparatus is operated while keeping the liquid level at a preset position by operating the opening of the flow rate control valve 6.
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