Polymerisation station for grafting a bioactive coating
An oxidation and grafting method for grafting a bioactive polymer, such as polyNaSS, onto an article, in particular a polymer or ceramic article. The method comprises a step of oxidation by ozonation and a step of grafting by radical polymerisation in a polymerisation station having a first reactor. The two steps of oxidation and grafting are carried out consecutively in different solutions in the reactor of the polymerisation station.
1 . An oxidation and grafting method for grafting a bioactive polymer onto an article, the method comprising a step of oxidizing the article by ozonation and a step of grafting the bioactive polymer on the article by radical polymerization in a polymerization station comprising a first reactor,
wherein the two steps for oxidation and grafting are carried out consecutively in different solutions in the first reactor of the polymerization station.
2 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the first reactor comprises:
a first tank for receiving the article for oxidizing and grafting,
a first cover which is mounted in a fluid-tight manner on the first tank,
an inlet for at least partially filling the first tank in order to immerse the article, and
a first drain outlet for draining the first tank,
an ozone inlet for generating ozone bubbles in the first tank with the aim of oxidizing the surface of the article immersed in water, and
a monomer solution inlet for at least partially filling the first tank with monomer solution in order to immerse the article in the monomer solution.
3 . The method as claimed in claim 2 , in which the first tank comprises a first double wall in a manner such as to define a peripheral circuit for circulating a heat transfer fluid with the aim of heating the contents of the first tank to a predetermined temperature.
4 . The method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the heat transfer fluid is oil.
5 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the step for grafting by radical polymerization comprises preparing an aqueous solution of monomer in a second reactor of the polymerization station connected in series upstream of the first reactor in order to be able to decant the aqueous solution of monomer from the second reactor into the first reactor.
6 . The method as claimed in claim 5 , in which the second reactor comprises:
a second tank which is intended to be at least partially filled with a monomer solution,
a second cover which is mounted in a fluid-tight manner on the second tank,
a second drain outlet connected to a monomer solution inlet of the first reactor in order to drain the monomer solution from the second reactor into the first reactor.
7 . The method as claimed in claim 6 , in which the second tank comprises a second double wall in a manner such as to define a peripheral circuit for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid with the aim of heating the monomer solution of the second tank to a predetermined temperature.
8 . The method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the heat transfer fluid is oil.
9 . The method as claimed in claim 5 , in which the first and second reactors are maintained under pressure by injecting an inert gas.
10 . The method as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the inert gas is argon.
11 . The method as claimed in claim 5 , in which the step for oxidation by ozonation comprises at least partially filling the first reactor with water deriving from the second reactor.
12 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the article is a polymer or ceramic article.