Process for the continuous drying of polymers containing N or amino, ammonium or spirobicyclic ammonium groups

1. A continuous process for the drying of polymers containing N or amino, ammonium or spirobicyclic ammonium groups, comprising cationic N-containing groups, and suitable counterions, which comprises continuously drying gelled and washed, moist polymers obtained by polymerization, crosslinkage and optionally alkylation, by injecting a gaseous medium under normal pressure or overpressure into a fluidized bed dryer, whereby polymer gel, which can have up to approximately 90% of bound water, is introduced continuously into the fluidized bed dryer, whereupon owing to the gaseous medium injected into said fluidized bed, moist polymer gel is loosened, then the formation of a constant fluidized bed occurs and finally sufficient dried polymer gel, which has a water content of 2 to 5%, is removed continuously from the fluidized bed dryer such that a constant amount of fluidized bed remains in the dryer.

2. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the gaseous medium is heated to 40 to 250° C. and injected into a fluidized bed dryer through a sieve bottom having a directed flow in the dryer outlet direction.

3. The process as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the bed gaseous medium is injected into the fluidized bed dryer with a velocity of 0.02 m/sec to 3.5 m/sec.

4. The process as claimed in claim 2 , wherein after a residence time of 5 to 12 h, sufficient dried polymer gel, which has a water content of 2 to 5%, is removed continuously from the fluidized bed dryer such that a constant amount of fluidized bed remains in the dryer.

5. The process as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the polymer gel is heated to 60 to 120° C. at the dryer exit.

6. The process as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the moist nitrogen waste gas, which has a temperature from 70 to 100° C., is led with any polymer gel fines discharged from the fluidized bed, for the separation of the fine fraction through a filter situated in the dryer or through a cyclone separator having a fine filter connected in series, then led through a condenser, cooled to 5 to 35° C. and then heated again to 40 to 250° C. with 100% saturation and again led into the fluidized bed dryer.

7. The process as claimed in claim 4 , wherein various temperature zones having different gas velocities are established in the dryer.

8. The process as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the introduction of the product is carried out via a double pendulum flap, via a nibbler or a static sieve with a rotor.

9. The process as claimed in claim 4 , wherein dried product is introduced into the dryer as a base layer.