Abstract: Provided are catalyst systems which produce flexible polyurethane polyester foams that are color stable, are lower in odor, and uses less catalysts than current most commonly practiced technology. The use of lower amounts of catalysts with low vapor pressure reduces worker exposure to alkaline corrosive materials, reduces pollution through less pounds of volatile organic chemicals (VOC's) and is less expensive.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions of matter useful in de-inking secondary fibers. A composition according to the invention includes an aqueous solution of an anionic form of a styrene-methacrylic acid copolymer. When a surfactant is used in combination with the copolymers herein described in a de-inking operation, a synergy is observed in that the combination of copolymer and surfactant combination together yield a recycled fiber product having higher brightness level and a lower effective residual ink concentration than recycled fibers produced using either the copolymer or surfactant alone in the same operation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward effective photoresist stripping compositions that are less corrosive and do not cause skin irritation. One form of the present invention is a composition useful as a photoresist remover that includes an alkylene carbonate, and one or more additional components chosen from the group that includes alkyl hydrogen peroxides, hydroxyalkyl ureas, urea-hydrogen peroxides, N-substituted morpholines and alcohols. Another form of the present invention is a composition for removing photoresist from a surface that includes an N-substituted morpholine.

Abstract: Provided herein is a process for producing alkylene carbonates of ultra-high purity. According to the present invention, certain stages of traditional distillation of alkylene carbonate distillation are replaced by carbon treatment. Alkylene carbonates produced according to the invention have a color of less than 25 (Pt-Co), and are suitable for uses requiring ultra-pure alkylene carbonates.

Abstract: A process for de-watering lime mud in a Krafft pulping process is described. The process includes an improvement which comprises adding an effective water-removal rate enhancing amount of an alkyleneamine to the lime mud prior to filtration. The preferred alkyleneamine is ethyleneamine, that is, an amine having at least one —(CR2—CR2—NH—)— unit wherein each R is independently is H or an alkyl (straight-chain, branched, or cyclic) group of from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms. Ethyleneamines include ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenediamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, piperazine, aminoethylpiperazine, and ethyleneamine mixtures such as mixtures of ethyleneamine oligomers having an average molecular weight of about 200-500.

Abstract: Provided herein are functional fluid compositions useful in hydraulic fluid and gear oil formulations. The formulations according to the invention include a predominant amount of at least one polyoxyalkylene glycol derived from the addition polymerization of an alcohol in the presence of an alkylene oxide mixture which contains a substantial amount of ethylene oxide. Fluids according to the invention exhibit suitable lubricity and stability characteristics and are generally water soluble to a degree sufficient to preclude formation of a sheen on the surface of a body of water into which a fluid according to the invention is brought into contact.

Abstract: Surfactants that are expected to further improve the bioefficacy of herbicides. The surfactants comprise esterified alkoxylated polyether diamines, alkoxylated polyether diamines, and mixtures thereof. The present invention also provides for herbicide compositions that contain the surfactants of the present invention. The herbicide compositions comprise a herbicidal active ingredient, a surfactant of the present invention, and optionally, one or more formulation aids. The present invention additionally provides for a method of controlling unwanted weeds or vegetation using the herbicide compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: Coating remover compositions comprising an alkylene carbonate, hydrogen peroxide, water, a first alcohol, a second alcohol, and, optionally, pine oil that exhibit low toxicity. Further, a method of removing a coating from a surface. The method involves contacting a composition comprising an alkylene carbonate, hydrogen peroxide, water, a first alcohol, a second alcohol, and optionally, pine oil to a coated surface, and allowing the composition to contact the coated surface for a period of time, and under conditions effective to cause blistering of the coating. The compositions and method of the present invention are particularly suited for use with varnishes.

Abstract: Provided herein are supported catalysts and processes useful in the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons. Catalysts made according to the invention possess a unique pore size distribution which provides a favorable balance of selectivity, activity, and thermal stability. In a preferred form of the invention, catalysts made in accordance of the invention are regenerable. Detergent range paraffins may be converted to monoolefins using a catalyst and process provided by the invention.

Abstract: A process for dewatering lime mud in a kraft pulping process is described. The process includes an improvement which comprises adding an effective amount of an alkyleneamine to the lime mud prior to filtration. The preferred alkyleneamine is ethyleneamine, that is, an amine having at least one —(CR2—CR2—NH—)— unit wherein each R independently is H or an alkyl (straight, branched or cyclic) group of from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms. Ethyleneamines include ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenediamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, piperazine, aminoethylpiperazine, and ethyleneamine mixtures such as mixtures of ethyleneamine oligomers having an average molecular weight of about 200-500.

Abstract: A method of preparing hydroxyalkylcarbamates from six-membered cyclic carbonates. The method involves reacting a six-membered cyclic carbonate with anhydrous ammonia or aqueous ammonium hydroxide. The present invention also provides for hydroxyalkylcarbamates prepared from six-membered cyclic carbonates, and for coating compositions comprising hydroxyalkylcarbamates prepared according to the present invention.

Abstract: Provided herein are subcombinations from which polyurethane foams and polyurethane foams containing polyisocyanurates may be prepared. The subcombinations are unique in that they contain components which synergistically act towards promoting compatibility between a blowing agent and the remaining components of the formulation. Through the use of the teachings herein, blowing agent concentrations in excess of 25% by weight of the total subcombination may be incorporated.

Abstract: Provided herein is a process for treatment of solutions which contain ferrous, ferric and soluble manganese species which process comprises addition of an oxidizing agent to such a solution to cause formation of manganese dioxide particles and adding manganese dioxide seed particles so as to cause nascent manganese dioxide agglomerates formed from the action of the addition of the oxidizing agent on the soluble manganese species to adhere to the manganese dioxide seed particles. By a process according to the invention, it is possible to effectively remove the soluble manganese species as solid manganese dioxide by having effective control over the size of the manganese dioxide particles to enable their subsequent removal using ordinary filtration techniques.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of methyl tertiary butyl ether is provided wherein a mixture of methanol and substantially peroxides-free tertiary butyl alcohol are catalytically reacted to form a reaction product comprising unreacted methanol, unreacted tertiary butyl alcohol, water, isobutylene and methyl tertiary butyl ether, that is separated into a substantially anhydrous first lighter distillation fraction comprising isobutylene, methanol and methyl tertiary butyl ether and a second heavier distillation fraction comprising methanol, tertiary butyl alcohol and water, and wherein the isobutylene and methanol in the first distillation fraction are reacted to form an isobutylene conversion product that contains additional methyl tertiary butyl ether that is substantially free from tertiary butyl alcohol.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel polymers and copolymers of alphaolefins produced using various Ziegler/Natta and Metallocene catalysts. Commercial production of these polymers is now possible for the first time owing to the polymer harvesting technology also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for producing alkanolamines from the reaction between a polyolefin epoxide and an organic amino compound under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure, in the presence of a catalytic amount of an alcohol. Higher reaction rates for alkanolamine production than provided in the prior art may be achieved by use of a process according to the invention. Alkanolamines having various levels of nitrogen may be produced by the invention.

Abstract: An improved process for manufacture of expandable polymer particles is provided. The continuous process disclosed produces expandable polymer pellets in a single step while eliminating many of the dangers inherent in processes of prior art employed for the same. The polymers produced herein are of uniform size, and may be molded into various articles of manufacture using existing equipment and techniques known to those skilled in the art.

Abstract: An impure methyl tertiary butyl ether product contaminated with isobutylene, methanol and water is purified by continuous counter-current contact with water and an isobutylene fraction in an extraction zone comprising a counter-current contact tower to provide an overhead raffinate comprising isobutylene, methyl tertiary butyl ether and a minor amount of water and an extract comprising methanol, water and a minor amount of methyl tertiary butyl ether; the overhead raffinate being separated in a methyl tertiary butyl ether purification distillation zone into a lighter distillation fraction comprising isobutylene and water and a heavier distillation fraction consisting essentially of methyl tertiary butyl ether; the lighter distillation fraction being decanted to remove water and to provide a distillate isobutylene fraction that is returned to the contact tower as the isobutylene fraction.

Abstract: Multi-layer film products comprising an inner or core layer made from polyolefin polymers produced by polymerizing an .alpha.-olefin in the presence of a catalyst including: a pro-catalyst having a magnesium halide; an aluminum halide; a tetravalent titanium halide, ;an electron donor; and a silane having the formula R.sub.1 R.sub.2 Si(OR.sub.3)(OR.sub.4), wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each an H, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, aryl, C.sub.5-12 cycloalkyl, each of which may be unsubstituted, mono- or di-substituted, and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are H, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, or a mono- or di-substituted C.sub.1-6 alkyl; and a co-catalyst comprising an organometallic compound, or reaction products of the pro-catalyst and the co-catalyst. The film products have excellent clarity, superior dart impact, resistance to tear and favorable sealibility characteristics.

Abstract: An improved process for manufacture of expandable polymer particles is provided. The continuous process disclosed produces expandable polymer pellets in a single step while eliminating many of the dangers inherent in processes of prior art employed for the same. The polymers produced herein are of uniform size, and may be molded into various articles of manufacture using existing equipment and techniques known to those skilled in the art.