WATER-ABSORBENT RESIN PRODUCTION APPARATUS

In a water-absorbent resin production apparatus for producing a water-absorbent resin by polymerizing a water-soluble ethlenically unsaturated monomer, a water-absorbent resin powder (R3) obtained by drying a water-absorbent resin composition with a dryer (3) passes through a first powder flow path pipe (12), is discharged therefrom toward a classifier (6) while a flow rate is regulated so as to a predetermined value by a powder flow rate regulating discharge member (4) composed of a hopper (4a) and a rotary valve (4b), and is classified by the classifier (6). In the water-absorbent resin production apparatus (1), a collector (5) for collecting a powder aggregate (R4) composed of aggregated particles of the water-absorbent resin powder (R3) is disposed in the first powder flow path pipe (12). Accordingly, a water-absorbent resin in the form of a particulate powder from which the powder aggregate is removed can be produced at a high production efficiency.