Abstract: Disclosed is a process wherein a solution of a carboxylic acid in a first solvent and an alcohol are fed to a simulated moving bed reactor (SMBR) containing a solid(s) to produce a first stream comprising a solution of an ester of the carboxylic acid and the alcohol and a second stream comprising the first solvent. The solid(s) present in the SMBR facilitates the esterification reaction and the separation of the first solvent from the carboxylic acid. The process is particularly valuable for the preparation of an alkanol solution of an alkyl 2-keto-L-gulonate ester (AKLG) from an aqueous fermentation broth containing dissolved 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (KLG) by feeding the fermentation broth and an alkanol to a simulated moving bed reactor which contains a solid acidic esterification catalyst to produce a stream comprising an alkanol solution of an ALKG. The alkanol solution of an ALKG may be used directly to convert the ALKG to ascorbic acid (Vitamin C).

Abstract: This invention relates to binary blends of cellulose esters and aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters, cellulose esters and aliphatic polyesters as well as ternary blends of cellulose esters and/or aliphatic polyesters and/or aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters and/or polymeric compounds as well as fibers, nonwovens, molded objects, and films prepared therefrom.

Abstract: There are provided multi-layered structures comprising at least one layer that is an ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer having a density of less than 0.916 g/cc and a melting peak temperature of greater than 118° C. The multi-layered structures comprise at least three layers. Also provided are articles of manufacture produced from the multi-layered structures such as films, containers, pouches, packages, tubing and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for the preparation of ascorbic acid using a simulated moving bed (SMB) reactor system to accomplish the simultaneous conversion of KLG or a derivative of KLG to ascorbic acid and the separation of reaction products. The SMB reactor contains a solid or mixture of solids effective for catalyzing the reaction of KLG or its derivative and for separating the reactions products by selective adsorption of at least one product. In a general embodiment, this process involves (1) feeding a solution of KLG or a derivative thereof in a first solvent and a desorbent which is miscible with the first solvent, to a simulated moving bed reactor; (2) reacting the KLG or the KLG derivative to form ascorbic acid; and (3) removing from the simulated moving bed reactor (i) a first liquid stream comprising a solution of ascorbic acid in the desorbent and the first solvent (ii) a second liquid stream comprising the first solvent and the desorbent.

Abstract: In a process for producing a reactor grade polyester, a poly(1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate) has a reduced amount of isomerization of the trans-isomer to the cis-isomer of 1,4-dimethylcyclohexanedicarboxylate and an increased polymerization rate by the addition of a phosphorus-containing compound to the reaction process. In step (a) of the process, a diacid comprising at least 80 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid or an ester derivative of the diacid comprising at least 80 mole percent 1,4-dimethylcyclohexanedicarboxylate is reacted with a glycol comprising at least 80 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol at a temperature sufficient to effect esterification for the diacid or transesterification for the ester derivative. In step (b), the product of step (a) is subjected to temperatures and pressures in the presence of a suitable catalyst to effect polycondensation.

Abstract: In a process for producing a polyester containing 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) as one of its glycol components, an aqueous or a methanolic slurry comprising CHDM and a dicarboxylic acid is prepared. The slurry is maintained at a temperature below the melting point of CHDM. The slurry is then fed into a reactor. The slurry is esterified at sufficient temperatures and pressures, and optionally in the presence of a suitable catalyst, to effect esterification. A prepolymer is formed. The prepolymer is then polycondensed at sufficient temperatures and pressures in the presence of a suitable catalyst to effect polycondensation to form a polyester.

Abstract: A method and device for conveying a ribbon of crimped material includes an air mover, a plenum connected to the air mover to receive air from the air mover, a series of directional slits and side walls. The directional slits air in fluid communication with the plenum so that air from the plenum exits through the directional slits in a predetermined direction. The directional slits are arranged in a generally planar configuration to form a conveyance track. The sides walls are provided on either side of the conveyance track to extend above the conveyance track. The crimped material may be a planar band of crimped fiber, such as a planar band of crimped acetate fiber. The crimps may extend in an up-and-down direction or in a back-and-forth direction. The plenum may be formed of a pair of elongated support pieces with cutout portions in the elongated support pieces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite made by the process of melt mixing (a) a polymer having at least one isocyanate reactive group, wherein the polymer is from 30 to 90% by weight of the composite; (b) a thermoplastic polyurethane at from 0.1 to less than 10% by weight of the composite; and (c) a reinforcing fiber at from 9.9 to 60% by weight of the composite, wherein the sum of the weight percentages of components (a)-(c) is equal to 100%, wherein the polymer (a) is not a polyamide. The invention further relates to a composite prepared by the process of melt mixing (a) a polymer having at least one isocyanate reactive group, wherein the polymer is from 25 to 90% by weight of the composite; (b) a thermoplastic polyurethane at from 0.1 to 10% by weight of the composite; (c) a reinforcing fiber at from 9.8 to 60% by weight of the composite, and (d) an epoxy compound at from 0.1 to 5% by weight of the composite, wherein the sum of the weight percentages of components (a)-(d) is equal to 100%.

Abstract: A reactor grade copolyester composition, as well as a heat-shrinkable film made therefrom, unexpectedly has higher ductility than a multi-component blend of copolyesters with the same monomer concentrations. The reactor grade copolyester composition is made from a diacid component of at least about 90 mole percent and a diol component of (a) about 72 to about 88 mole percent ethylene glycol, about 10 to about 15 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, and about 2 to about 13 mole percent diethylene glycol, or (b) about 59 to about 77.5 mole percent ethylene glycol, about 15 to about 28 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexane-dimethanol, and about 7.5 to about 13 mole percent diethylene glycol. Further, the heat-shrinkable film may be produced to closely match the shrink characteristics of polyvinyl chloride by varying the amounts of the diol components of the reactor grade copolyester composition. Furthermore, a reactor grade copolyester composition has a b* color value of −1.0 to less than 4.

Abstract: The crimper has a pair of feed rollers to supply fiber traveling therebetween. The feed rollers rotate at a first speed. A pair of outlet rollers receive fiber from the feed rollers and rotate at a second speed slower than the first speed. A pair of side walls sandwich the feed rollers and the outlet rollers. A pair of floating scrapers are supported by move with the feed rollers, the outlet rollers and the side walls. Fluid is supplied to and ejected from the scrapers such that a fluid bearing is created at least between the scrapers and the feed rollers. There are two pairs of outlet rollers with a belt rotating about each pair of outlet rollers. For each pair, a first of the outlet rollers is adjacent to the scraper and a second of the outlet rollers is displaced from the scraper. A space between the scrapers defines a crimping chamber. The first outlet rollers are moved toward and away from one another, thereby causing the crimping chamber to open and close.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compositions containing an LCP and one or more aromatic phosphonites. Also disclosed is a novel process for preparing LCPs in the presence of one or more aromatic phosphonites. The process enables the preparation of LCPs in a more controlled manner so that the LCPs have excellent thermal/oxidative stability. The LCPs are useful where the combination of good mechanical properties, excellent thermal resistance properties, and excellent thermal stability are desired, such as in electrical/electronic applications and electrical connectors.

Abstract: A process for recovering an organic acid or a metal salt thereof includes contacting an alcoholic phase containing one or more organic acid(s) or metal salt(s) thereof with water under conditions effective to provide an aqueous phase containing a portion of the organic acid(s) or metal salt(s) thereof. The aqueous phase does not contain substantial amounts of the alcohol(s). This process can also include recovery of the organic acid(s) or metal salt(s) thereof from the aqueous phase.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions, paper, thermoplastic sheets, and medical paper containing cellulose ester, alkylpolyglycoside (APG) or a mixture of APG and polyether glycol, and, optionally, cellulose. The process of incorporating APG or a mixture of APG and polyether glycol in paper composed of cellulose ester fibers and cellulose fibers and to calendaring of such paper is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing poly(ethylene-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate) and copolymers thereof having high molecular weight, low methyl end-group content, low diethylene glycol content and low carboxyl end-group content in the presence of water.