PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCTION OF HALOGENATED BUTYL RUBBER WITH REDUCED EMISSIONS

The present invention relates to a process for the production of halogenated butyl rubber and an apparatus for the production of rubber cement for use in the production of halogenated butyl rubber. The process and apparatus permit direct mixing of aqueous rubber slurry with a non-halogenated organic solvent to make a rubber cement solution. The water layer is then separated from the partially dissolved rubber cement and the cement phase is sent for halogenation. The apparatus is an enclosed vessel comprised of at least one dissolving zone and at least one separator zone. The process and apparatus advantageously employ recycle of rubber cement in order to disrupt an interface layer that forms between the water and rubber cement, to thereby improve continuously operation of the process.