Abstract: Method of cleaning valves or lines through which hydrolysable polymers are transported at the operating temperature, in which, after the polymer stream has been shut off and the polymer has been evacuated as far as possible, steam is passed through the valves or lines to be cleaned while the operating temperature is maintained at plus/minus 10° C., with the steam being introduced via hydrolysis valves set in the wall of the valve housing or the lines and discharged via emptying apertures.

Abstract: An alternating distributor for high-viscosity liquids consisting of a product line I (2) which discharges in a central distribution chamber (1) having no surfaces and edges running perpendicularly to the flow of the product and for this purpose two product valves (3) in a Y-shaped arrangement each having a product line II (6) and optionally an auxiliary valve, characterized in that the valve blocks (8) of the product valves (3) have a mushroom-shaped displacer headpiece (11, 12) which when the valve is closed is positioned in the distribution chamber (1) and when the valve is open is positioned at the level of product line II (6).

Abstract: High strength polyester fibers comprising from 0.1 to 2.0 by weight of an incompatible, thermoplastic amorphous, polymeric additive.

Abstract: PTT staple fibers which are characterised by a novel combination of properties. In combination with novel stress-strain properties and modulus parameters, staple fibers or textiles or home textiles having extremely desirable aesthetics and service quality are obtained. Economical two-stage process for the production of PTT staple fibers. The melt spinning is carried out at a high polymer throughput and a spinning take-off speed of at least 600 m/min. In a separate fiber drawing frame, the stretching, heat-setting, crimping and drying are carried out.

Abstract: Polyester staple fibres consisting of a polyester, from 0.1 to 2.0% by weight of an incompatible, thermoplastic, amorphous, polymeric additive having a glass transition temperature of from 90 to 170° C. and a ratio of its melt viscosity to that of the polyester component of from 1:1 to 10:1, and from 0 to 5.0% by weight of conventional additives, where the polymeric additive is present in the staple fibres in the form of fibrils having a mean diameter of ≦80 nm. Process for the production of these staple fibres by mixing with shearing of the polyester and of the polymeric additive and, optionally, of the conventional additives, spinning at a spinning take-off speed of <2500 m/min to give spun filaments, which are combined to form tows and stretched in a separate fibre stretching stage, crimped, dried and chopped to give staple fibres.

Abstract: Process for producing cellulosic moldings such as fibers, foils, casings and beads from cellulose, wherein (a) the initial cellulose is hydrothermally treated with water in a water/cellulose ratio on a weight basis of at least 1 at a temperature in the range from about 100.degree. to about 200.degree. C. and under a pressure in the range from 0.1 to about 1.5 MPa; (b) the treated cellulose is dissolved in an aqueous solution of alkali hydroxide at a temperature of at least 0.degree. C. to form a homogenous cellulose solution containing from about 5% to about 10% by weight cellulose and at maximum 10% by weight alkali hydroxide, and (c) the alkaline cellulose solution is formed and coagulated by contacting it with an aqueous solution containing 1 to about 30% by weight of an acid. This fully ecological process avoids handling of toxic products or by-products and uses aqueous solvents instead of expensive organic solvents. The cellulose solution is stable for at least 48 hours.