Abstract: A carbonylation process for producing acetic acid including: (a) carbonylating methanol or its reactive derivatives in the presence of a Group VIII metal catalyst and methyl iodide promoter to produce a liquid reaction mixture including acetic acid, water, methyl acetate and methyl iodide; (b) feeding the liquid reaction mixture at a feed temperature to a flash vessel which is maintained at a reduced pressure; (c) heating the flash vessel while concurrently flashing the reaction mixture to produce a crude product vapor stream, wherein the reaction mixture is selected and the flow rate of the reaction mixture fed to the flash vessel as well as the amount of heat supplied to the flash vessel is controlled such that the temperature of the crude product vapor stream is maintained at a temperature less than 90° F.

Abstract: An additive composition for mortars, exterior insulation finish systems, self-leveling compounds and joint compounds is disclosed. The additive composition contains a nitrogen-containing polymer and a reactive agent capable of forming a crosslinking reaction with the nitrogen-containing polymer. Small amounts of the additive composition contained in a product not only can increase one or more properties of the product but can also minimize the use of redispersible polymers in the product.

Abstract: A methanol carbonylation system 10 includes an absorber tower 75 adapted for receiving a vent gas stream and removing methyl iodide therefrom with a scrubber solvent, the absorber tower being coupled to first and second scrubber solvent sources 16, 56 which are capable of supplying different first and second scrubber solvents. A switching system including valves 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 alternatively provides first or second scrubber solvents to the absorber tower and returns the used solvent and sorbed material to the carbonylation system to accommodate different operating modes.

Abstract: A multilayer barrier structure includes a plurality of relatively thin nanocomposite layers separated by one or more relatively thick intermediate layers selected from synthetic elastomers or non-elastomeric polymers. The composites exhibit remarkably long breakthrough and lag-times and are useful for packaging or protective apparel.

Abstract: Cycloolefin copolymers which are distinguished by the presence of racemic diads of repeating polycyclic units and additionally by racemic triads of repeating polycyclic units are described. These copolymers can be prepared by copolymerization of polycyclic olefins with linear olefins in the presence of metallocene catalysts which have no Cs symmetry in relation to the centroid-M-centroid plane. The novel copolymers can be used for the production of shaped articles, in particular of films.

Abstract: A solution with a salt-sensitive polymer binder for use in fibrous webs, where the binder contains a copolymer of carboxylic acid monomer units and ethylenically unsaturated monomer units. The binder solution is prepared by emulsion-polymerizing a copolymer and then neutralizing the copolymer with base to make it water soluble. The binders provide a higher wet strength in concentrated salt solutions than in deionized water, and are particularly suitable for strengthening nonwoven fibrous webs in disposable articles such as wet-wipes, personal care products, diapers, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cationic polymer emulsion binder that may be combined with a cationic active ingredient and used as a non-woven binder. This combination of cationic binder and cationic active ingredient may occur as a mixture of a cationic binder and at least one cationic active ingredient, which is then applied to loose fibers to form a non-woven; or the combination may occur after a non-woven is formed using a cationic binder, and said non-woven is then contacted with a cationic active ingredient. Non-woven wipes of the invention retain far less cationic active ingredients during use, resulting in less waste and less use of the active ingredients for the same effect as wipes made with anionic or non-ionic binders.

Abstract: A concentrated nanocomposite dispersion which includes a silicate filler and a matrix polymer dispersed in an aqueous medium. The dispersions are condensed by selectively removing liquid therefrom, to provide high solids coating formulations. The concentrated formulations provide coatings which are good barriers to oxygen and other gases.

Abstract: A process for the selective production of vinyl ester by the reaction of a carboxylic acid with acetylene with a homogeneous catalyst is disclosed and claimed. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, reaction of benzoic acid and acetylene in the presence of Group VIII metal complex catalyst at a temperature of about 50 to 180° C. results in quantitative yields of vinyl benzoate.

Abstract: Aldehydes are produced by unmodified rhodium catalyzed hydroformylation process in a homogeneous organic phase using a solution of unmodified rhodium catalyst and an organic acid in a total amount, calculated as acid equivalent, of from greater than 3 moles to 3000 moles of acid per mole of rhodium. The organic acid is selected from: saturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having from 5 to 13 carbon atoms in the molecule; saturated aliphatic dicarboxylic acids having from 5 to 13 carbon atoms in the molecule; sulphonic acids having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms in the molecule; and combinations thereof. Use of the process can lead to either a significant increase in conversion without reducing selectivity for the desired aldehyde or a reduction in the specific use of rhodium.

Abstract: A method of making acetic acid includes: (a) catalytically reacting methanol or a reactive derivative thereof with carbon monoxide in the presence of a homogeneous Group VIII metal catalyst and a methyl iodide promoter in a reactor vessel in a liquid reaction mixture including acetic acid, water, methyl acetate, methyl iodide and homogeneous catalyst, the reactor vessel being operated at a reactor pressure; (b) withdrawing reaction mixture from the reaction vessel and feeding the withdrawn reaction mixture along with additional carbon monoxide to a pre-flasher/post reactor vessel operated at a pressure below the reactor vessel pressure; (c) venting light ends in the pre-flasher vessel and concurrently consuming methyl acetate in the pre-flasher/post reactor vessel.

Abstract: There is shown a method of purifying glacial acetic acid containing terpene and terpenoid impurities. Substantially dry acetic acid containing terpene and terpenoid impurities is combined with water and a suitable organic solvent, which is substantially immiscible with acetic acid and water, to form a separating composite extraction medium having a weight ratio of acetic acid:water of at least 1:1. The components are separated into an organic phase and an aqueous acid phase, with the terpene and terpenoid impurities concentrated in the organic phase, and with the aqueous acid phase purified of terpene and terpenoid impurities. The purified aqueous acid phase is recovered, and the purified acetic acid is dried.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for lightening the color of polyol esters by reacting polyols with linear or branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, wherein the reaction product is worked up without using adsorbents and comprises a treatment with peroxidic compounds and an immediately subsequent steam treatment with subsequent drying.

Abstract: Cycloolefin copolymers which are distinguished by the presence of racemic diads of repeating polycyclic units and additionally by racemic triads of repeating polycyclic units are described. These copolymers can be prepared by copolymerization of polycyclic olefins with linear olefins in the presence of metallocene catalysts which have no Cs symmetry in relation to the centroid-M-centroid plane. The novel copolymers can be used for the production of shaped articles, in particular of films.

Abstract: A solution with a salt-sensitive polymer binder for use in fibrous webs, where the binder contains a copolymer comprising repeat units derived from butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate and amino functionalized alkyl acrylate or methacrylate or amino functionalized alkyl acrylamide or methacrylamide optionally including monomers such as vinyl acetate and/or vinyl acetate/ethylene. The binder solution is prepared by emulsion-polymerizing a copolymer and then neutralizing the copolymer with acid to make it water soluble. The binders are particularly suitable for strengthening nonwoven fibrous webs in disposable articles such as wet-wipes, personal care products, diapers, and the like and retain their salt-sensitivity with or without divalent metal scavengers.

Abstract: Barrier coating mixtures contain in a carrier liquid, (a) a non-elastomeric polymer; (b) an exfoliated layered platelet-like silicate filler which may or may not have been acid or base treated that has not been functionalized with organic cations having an aspect ratio greater than 25; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the total solids content is less than 30% and the amount of filler is between 5% to about 60% of the total solids content. Coated articles and containers, freestanding films and packaging films are produced using the barrier coating mixtures. Methods of manufacturing such coated products are also encompassed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of manufacturing high, very high, and ultra high molecular weight polymers comprising predominantly ethylene monomers. Ethylene is reacted in the presence of a catalyst system to produce a polymer having a viscosimetrically-determined molecular weight of at least 0.7×106 g/mol. The catalyst system generally includes a bridged metallocene catalyst compound, optionally with a co-catalyst. The catalyst is characterized by a zirconium dichloride central functionality and a dimethyl silandiyl bridge between five-membered rings of indenyl groups. Both rings of the metallocene compound are substituted at the 2-position with respect to the dimethyl silandiyl bridge with a C1-C20 carbonaceous group.

Abstract: In a method of preparing an aqueous dispersion selected from drilling fluids, hydraulic cement compositions, mineral pigment containing coatings, and papermaking furnishes or in a method of preparing a melt extrudate, the improvement comprising: a) producing a copolymer of vinyl alcohol (VOH) and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid or a salt of such acid (AMPS) by steps including continuously feeding with agitation, vinyl acetate (VAM) and AMPS as comonomers, a free radical yielding polymerization initiator, and a solvent for said comonomers, initiator, and copolymer resulting from the copolymerization of said comonomers, maintaining the resulting reaction mass in said first reaction zone under polymerization conditions for a residence time sufficient for a major proportion of AMPS fed to said first reaction zone to polymerize, continuously feeding reaction mass from said first reaction zone with an additional supply of AMPS to a second reaction zone, maintaining the reaction mass in the second reacti

Abstract: A solution with a salt-sensitive polymer binder for use in fibrous webs, where the binder contains a copolymer of carboxylic acid monomer units and ethylenically unsaturated monomer units. The binder solution is prepared by emulsion-polymerizing a copolymer and then neutralizing the copolymer with base to make it water soluble. The binders provide a higher wet strength in concentrated salt solutions than in deionized water, and are particularly suitable for strengthening nonwoven fibrous webs in disposable articles such as wet-wipes, personal care products, diapers, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new molding powder comprising polyethylene polymer particles. The molecular weight of the polyethylene polymer is within the range of from about 600,000 g/mol to about 2,700,000 g/mol as determined by ASTM 4020. The average particle size of the particles of the polyethylene polymer is within the range of from about 5 microns to about 1000 microns and the polyethylene has a powder bulk density in the range of from about 0.10 to about 0.30 g/cc. Also disclosed is a process for molding a shape from a molding powder comprising the inventive polyethylene polymer particles, as well as porous articles made in accordance with the process. The articles have excellent porosity and good strength for porous and porous filtration applications.