Abstract: A method for preparing a compatible blend of polyolefin and thermoplastic polyvinyl alcohol comprising:(a) melting polyolefin in the initial elements of a melt extruder,(b) adding and melt blending an unsaturated carboxylic acid or anhydride with the melted polyolefin downstream in the extruder,(c) adding peroxide to the melt blend and grafting the unsaturated carboxylic acid or anhydride onto the polyolefin, and(d) melt blending thermoplastic PVOH into the grafted polyolefin/unsaturated carboxylic acid or anhydride melt mixture.

Abstract: Amine functional polymers which are terpolymers made up of randomly linked units of amidine or amidinium formate, N-vinylformamide and either vinylamine or vinylammonium formate are prepared by aqueous hydrolysis of poly(N-vinylformamide) at a temperature in the range of 90.degree. to 175.degree. C., preferably in the presence of a minor amount of ammonia or volatile amine. Best conversions and good control of polymer structure are obtained at 140.degree. to 160.degree. C. with a small concentration of ammonia or alkylamine. Formation of poly(vinylammonium formate) containing no other salts or ionic coproducts is realized by degassing the hydrolyzate to remove ammonia or amine from the polymer solution. The poly(vinylammonium formate) affords distinct advantages in the production of salt-free polymers by catalytic decomposition of impurities. Poly(vinylamines) containing significant amounts of amidine functionality offer advantages in applications where increased basicity is required.

Abstract: The invention is a process for preparing 1,4-diazoniabicycloalkanes of Formula I wherein the corresponding 1-hydro-4-aza-1-azoniabi-cycloalkane salt of the 1,4-diazabicycloalkane is fluorinated in the presence of an alkali metal salt under reaction conditions sufficient to form the desired 1,4-diazoniabicycloalkane. ##STR1## wherein n represents 0, 1 or 2;each R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 independently represents hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, aryl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl-substituted aryl or aryl-substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl; andeach X.sup.- represents a counterion or 2X.sup.- represents a single divalent counterion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of reflow soldering electronic components, preferably to printed circuit boards, in an inert atmosphere to reduce solder defects and the need for flux or cleaning wherein the inert atmosphere is provided from a source of inert gas through several distribution lines which parallel the conveyor belt of a reflow solder furnace and supply each end of porous sintered metal diffuser tubes situated above the conveyor belt, as well as gas knives situated in baffle compartments at the inlet and outlet of the reflow solder furnace to strip barrier layers of oxygen atmosphere from the electronic components and preclude ingress of oxygen atmosphere into the reflow solder furnace.

Abstract: An extrudable polyvinyl alcohol composition useful for packaging and molding applications is prepared by melt blending polyvinyl alcohol and thermoplastic modified starch to provide a product which has reduced water sensitivity, improved modulus and reduced elongation at high relative humidity.A method for extruding the polyvinyl alcohol composition comprises:adding sufficient energy to the polyvinyl alcohol composition to both melt it and essentially eliminate the polyvinyl alcohol crystallinity in the melt, andsimultaneously removing energy from the melt at a rate sufficient to avoid decomposition of the polyvinyl alcohol.The thermoplastic modified starch may be added to the polyvinyl alcohol before or during the melting of the polyvinyl alcohol and elimination of its crystallinity, or the starch may be blended with the thus treated polyvinyl alcohol and then melt extruding the polyvinyl alcohol/starch blend.

Abstract: A multilayer structure, especially a multilayer film, for packaging alkaline, or caustic, compositions. The multilayer structure consists essentially of:(1) a first layer of an acid functional polymer that is soluble in aqueous alkaline medium,(2) a second layer of a partially hydrolyzed, thermoplastic PVOH, and, optionally,(3) a third layer of a fully hydrolyzed, thermoplastic PVOH.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for producing gypsum calcium sulfate dihydrate flakes from powdered gypsum calcium sulfate dihydrate obtained from the desulfurization of flue gas by the wet limestone process. The flakes have sufficient size and strength such that the gypsum calcium sulfate dihydrate can be handled and processed in conventional equipment commonly used by wallboard manufacturers and others in the construction industry, The intermediate calcium sulfate dihydrate from the desulfurization process is dewatered to about 5 to 12% by weight and then compressed into a thin sheet under a compaction or compression load of 4 tons force to 15 tons force per linear inch of sheet width. A linear speed of from 0.5 to 2.5 feet per second is maintained during compaction providing a compaction residence time of from about 0.2 to 1.2 seconds.

Abstract: The present invention is an ammonia injection scheme for enhanced NO.sub.x reductions wherein the NO.sub.x containing gas to be treated is upstream of a cyclone separator. The enhanced NO.sub.x reductions is accomplished by injecting the ammonia through the inside wall of the cyclone inlet duct.

Abstract: Ethylene-containing feed gas to a cryogenic ethylene recovery system is cooled and condensed, prior to fractionation, by an improved method which utilizes a combination of one or more partial condensers followed by one or more dephlegmators. The improved method simplifies heat exchange equipment and reduces capital cost, and is particularly suited for processing a pressurized precooled feed gas from ethane cracking which contains less than about 1 mole % of propane plus propylene.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for delivering hygroscopic, corrosive chemicals such as hydrogen chloride from a source such as a tube trailer to a use point such as a semiconductor fabrication tool minimizing infiltration of moisture, and entrainment of particulates, while still reducing moisture contents below 100 parts per billion and achieving appropriate pressure drops without two phase flow.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing inorganic membranes which are capable of separating oxygen from air. The membranes comprise a thin layer of a multicomponent metallic oxide which has been deposited onto a porous substrate by organometallic chemical vapor deposition. The inorganic membranes are formed by reacting organometallic complexes corresponding to each of the respective metals making up the multicomponent metallic oxide and an oxidizing agent under conditions sufficient to deposit a thin layer of the multicomponent metallic oxide onto the porous substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved hydrogenation process wherein aromatic amines are hydrogenated to their ring hydrogenated counterparts. These aromatic amines are presented by the formulas: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 aliphatic, R1 and R2 are hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 aliphatic, A is C.sub.1-4 or NH; n is 0-2, x is 1-3 and y is 1 to 2 except the sum of the y groups in Formula I may be 1. The improvement resides in the utilization of a catalyst comprising rhodium carried on a support of kappa, theta or delta alumina.

Abstract: A method for detection of impurities at very low levels in hydrogen, oxygen or specialty gases comprises the metered mixture with high purity helium and subsequent selective separation of hydrogen, oxygen or specialty gas with the detection of impurities remaining in the helium by ionization spectrometry.

Abstract: Crosslinking agents are provided which are stable in both the solid state and in solution without undergoing uncontrolled self-crosslinking reactions. The crosslinking agents are formed by the amination of compounds having multiple ester moieties using homogeneous catalysis, and provide for formaldehyde-free crosslinking.

Abstract: In an active hydrogen-containing B-side composition for reaction with a polyisocyanate-containing A-side composition to make a polyurethane or polyurethaneurea elastomer by reaction injection molding, the improvement which comprises a mold release composition which is the reaction product of triethylenediamine and a C.sub.2 -C.sub.21 epoxide reacted in the presence of a carboxy functional siloxane.

Abstract: The process of the present invention is a cryogenic air separation process with three important features: (1) at least a portion of a nitrogen-rich liquid from the column system is boosted in pressure before being vaporized and delivered as a product; (2) at least a portion of the feed air is at least partially condensed in indirect heat exchange with the boosted pressure, nitrogen-rich stream; and (3) a portion of the liquid nitrogen condensed from the vapor nitrogen from the top of the higher pressure column is returned to the higher pressure column as reflux with the remaining portion being removed from the column system.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement to a cryogenic distillation process for the separation of air into its constituent components. The present invention process uses a distillation column system which comprises at least two distillation columns wherein the top of the higher pressure column is in thermal communication with the lower pressure column. The distinctive feature and improvement of the present invention comprise: (a) condensing a portion of the compressed, contaminant-free, feed air by appropriate means, such as against vaporization of liquid oxygen or other source of refrigeration; (b) using at least a portion of this liquid air as impure reflux in one of the distillation columns, and (c) removing a waste vapor stream from a location situated no more than four theoretical stages above the location where the liquid air is fed to the column, such that this waste vapor stream has a nitrogen mole fraction of less than 0.95.

Abstract: A process for removing nitroaromatic and nitrophenolic compounds from an alkaline wastewater stream generated in a process for the nitration of aromatic compounds by the mixed acid technique, which comprises(a) adjusting the pH of the aqueous alkaline waste stream containing nitroaromatic and nitrophenolic compounds to a range from about 2 to 4.5,(b) contacting the acidic aqueous stream with sufficient hydrogen peroxide and ferrous ion under conditions to effect oxidation of the nitrophenolic compounds,(c) adjusting the acidic, oxidized aqueous waste stream having a reduced nitrophenolic content to about pH .gtoreq.4, and(d) contacting the aqueous waste stream with a carbon adsorbent.

Abstract: An amine-boron composition for catalyzing the urethane reaction, particularly in preparing a polyurethane foam, consisting essentially of the addition product of a tertiary amine and a boron compound of the formulaR.sub.n B(OH).sub.3-nwheren=0 or 1, andR=C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl or C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl.Preferred catalysts are prepared by mixing triethylenediamine or 3-quinuclidinol with boric acid.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption process is set forth for the recovery of two gas products at high recovery and high purity using the steps of adsorption, depressurization, low pressure purge, evacuation and repressurization. The purge effluent and a portion of the depressurization effluent are used to partially accomplish the repressurization step.