Abstract: An improved system and method for effectively controlling the operation of a continuous mixer/melter having an adjustable exit opening and connected to a melt pump is provided. The melt pump, which is preferably a gear pump, is operatively connected to an extruder/pelletizer. Operation of the gear pump is controlled in proportional relation to the energy requirements of the mixer/melter motor, the energy applied to adjust and maintain the exit opening of the mixer/melter, and the suction pressure measured at the interface between the mixer/melter and the gear pump. A microprocessor unit which receives and processes the input signals, calculates the energy requirements of the gear pump motor and compares these requirements with the actual torque, makes the necessary adjustments to the gear pump.

Abstract: A process for making dihydrocarbyl carbonates is disclosed. In this process an alcohol having the structural formula R-OH, where R is alkyl, cycloalkyl or aralkyl, is reacted with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a heterogeneous copper-containing, halogen-free catalyst.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a catalyst comprising the reaction product of:(a) a silicon-containing compound having the structural formula R.sub.4--n SiX.sub.n --where R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 hydrocarbyl; X is halogen; and n is an integer of 1 to 4;(b) a magnesiumdialkyl having the structural formula R.sup.1 R.sup.2 Mg, where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and are C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkyl;(c) an alcohol having the structural formula R.sup.3 OH, where R.sup.3 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 hydrocarbyl;(d) a halide-containing metal compound, said metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium and vanadium;(e) an aluminum alkoxide having the structural formual Al(OR.sup.5).sub.3, where R.sup.5 is C.sub.2 -C.sub.

Abstract: A method of making a foamed polymer article by injection molding, using a foaming agent that does not form byproducts which could pit or chalk the polymer surface. The foaming agent contains sodium borohydride in an amount from 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent of the polymer, and sodium dihydrogen phosphate as an activator to react with the sodium borohydride and produce hydrogen gas. The sodium borohydride and the sodium dihydrogen phosphate are kept separated from direct contact with each other, such as by encapsulating the components, until gas production is desired when the polymer is heated.

Abstract: A multiple site solid catalyst component capable of producing polyolefins having a broad or multimodal molecular weight distribution, such as a bi-modal molecular weight distribution, is prepared by contacting a particulate solid support with a zirconium compound or complex to bind the zirconium compound or complex to the support, optionally followed by contacting the supported zirconium compound or complex with a Lewis acid to produce an intermediate product, optionally isolating and washing the supported zirconium compound or complex or resulting intermediate product to remove soluble by-products therefrom, and reacting the washed or unwashed supported zirconium compound or complex or intermediate product with a titanium or vanadium compound to produce a solid catalyst component.

Abstract: A new catalyst component useful in the polymerization of at least one olefin is disclosed. The catalyst component comprises the product obtained by contracting silica, in random order, with (1) at least one hydrocarbon soluble magnesium-containing compound; and (2) a first modifying compound selected from the group consisting of silicon halides, boron halides, aluminum halides and mixtures thereof followed by a second modifying compound selected from the group consisting of halides having the structural formula SiH.sub.r X.sup.2.sub.s, where X.sup.2 is halogen; r is an integer of 1 to 3; and s is an integer of 1 to 3 with the proviso that the sum of r and s is 4, a hydrogen halide and mixtures thereof. The product of this step is contacted with a titanium-containing compound having the structural formula TiX.sup.1.sub.p (OR.sup.1).sub.q, where X.sup.1 is halogen; R.sup.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a silica supported magnesium-containing catalytic precursor of reduced SiOH content for reaction with a titanium halide to form a catalyst for the production of a stereospecific alpha olefin polymer characterized in that prior to reacting with titanium halide the magnesium-containing silica is reacted with at least one titanium compound having the formula Ti(R).sub.n X.sub.m or Ti(OR).sub.n X.sub.m where R is aryl, alkyl, alkaryl, or mixtures thereof; X is halogen; n is an integer of 1 to 4, and m is 0 or an integer of 1 to 3 with the provision that the sum of n and m is 4. It also relates to preparing the catalyst from the precursor.

Abstract: A process for converting polyketones to polyesters is provided. The process involves reacting a polyketone, such as an ethylene-carbon monoxide copolymer or terpolymer with aqueous hydrogen peroxide in an inert liquid medium at a temperature from -20.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. in the presence of a Lewis acid and a C.sub.1-4 aliphatic monocarboxylic acid to convert a portion of the carbonyl functionality to oxycarbonyl groups.

Abstract: A method of making a foamed polymer article by injection molding, using a foaming agent that evolves minimal water and does not form byproducts which could pit or chalk the polymer surface. The foaming agent contains sodium borohydride in an amount from 0.01 weight percent of the polymer to be foamed, and a polyhydric alcohol such as six-carbon mannitol as an activator to react with the sodium borohydride and produce hydrogen gas. Boric acid can be included with the alcohol. The sodium borohydride is kept separated from the other reactive components such as by encapsulation until gas production is desired when the polymer is heated and molded.

Abstract: A method of making a foamed polymer article by injection molding, using a foaming agent that does not form byproducts which could pit or chalk the polymer surface. The foaming agent contains sodium borohydride in an amount from 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent of the polymer, and sodium dihydrogen phosphate as an activator to react with the sodium borohydride and produce hydrogen gas. The sodium borohydride and the sodium dihydrogen phosphate are kept separated from direct contact with each other, such as by encapsulating the components, until gas production is desired when the polymer is heated.

Abstract: A catalyst component useful in propylene polymerization in combination with a dialkyl aluminum halide cocatalyst comprises the product of reaction of TiCl.sub.3 which is substantially free of extraneous halide with a selected electron donor compound which is dissolved in a liquid hydrocarbon solvent in which the TiCl.sub.3 is dispersed. The electron donor compound is selected from certain organic acid esters, hindered phenolic compounds and silyl esters.The catalyst of the invention provides increased activity, molecular weight control, increased isotacticity of propylene polymer products and prevents catalyst feed line pluggage, among other advantages.

Abstract: A solid catalyst component, a method of making the same, a catalyst system incorporating the solid catalyst component, and a method of polymerizing one or more 1-olefins using the catalyst system are disclosed wherein the catalyst component is prepared by contacting, in the presence of an inert liquid hydrocarbon, silica, a soluble organomagnesium compound, an SiCl.sub.4 magnesium fixing agent, an alcohol, TiCl.sub.4, a carboxylic acid derivative, followed by extraction with a TiCl.sub.4 -containing extraction liquid. The inventive catalyst system allows ready control of product molecular weight by control of hydrogen concentration in the reactor, and allows the production of high MI or MF polymers at high productivities.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of linear olefins which comprises polymerizing ethylene in a hydrocarbon solvent at a temperature of 50.degree.-150.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst comprising a zirconium metal compound, an organometallic compound wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of zinc, magnesium and aluminum, and a basic salt of a carboxylic acid which forms a fine suspension or a homogeneous solution in the hydrocarbon solvent wherein the ratio of the salt equivalents to the moles of zirconium compound is from above 0 to about 4.0.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of linear olefins which comprises polymerizing ethylene in a hydrocarbon solvent at a temperature of 50.degree.-150.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst comprising a zirconium metal compound, an organometallic compound wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of zinc, magnesium and aluminum, and a basic salt of a carboxylic acid which forms a fine suspension or a homogeneous solution in the hydrocarbon solvent wherein the ratio of the salt equivalents to the moles of zirconium compound is from above 0 to about 4.0.

Abstract: A catalyst useful in the polymerization of olefins is disclosed. The catalyst is produced by initially treating an inert inorganic compound to remove surface hydroxy groups. The thus treated inorganic compound is contacted with a hydrocarbon soluble magnesium compound in a second step. The product of this second step is contacted with a modifying compound selected from the group consisting of silicon halides, boron halides, aluminum halides, alkyl silicon halides, hexaalkyl disilazanes and mixtures thereof in a third step. The product of this third step is contacted a vanadium compound having the structured formula V(O).sub.s X.sup.1.sub.4-s, where X.sup.1 is halogen; and s is 0 or 1, a first titanium-containing compound having the structural formula Ti(OR.sup.2).sub.n X.sup.2 m, where R.sup.2 is hydrocarbyl; X.sup.

Abstract: A process for making a propylene polymer which comprises polymerizing propylene under propylene polymerization conditions in the presence of a catalyst system which includes a catalyst component comprising (I) the product obtained by (a) treating silica to remove surface hydroxyl groups; (b) contacting said treated silica with (1) a modifying compound selected from the group consisting of silicon halides, boron halides, aluminum halides, alkyl silicon halides and mixtures thereof; and (2) at least one hydrocarbon soluble magnesium-containing compound; (c) contacting the product of step (b) with at least one titanium-containing compound having the structural formula Ti(OR).sub.n X.sub.m, where R is aryl, alkyl or mixtures thereof; X is halogen; n is an integer of 1 to 4; m is 0 or an integer of 1 to 3; and the sum of m and n is 4; and (d) treating the product of step (c) with a titanium-containing compound having the structural formula TiX.sup.1.sub.p (OR.sup.1).sub.q, where X.sup.1 is halogen; R.sup.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming alkyl 4-oxobutyrates and its acetals which comprises reacting under anhydrous conditions acrolein or its acetals with carbon monoxide and an alcohol of the formula R OH wherein R is lower alkyl in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst comprising palladium metal which is either unsupported or supported on an inert carrier and a promoting effective amount of hydrogen halide. An intermediate in the process, i.e., .beta.-halopropionaldehyde or acetal thereof can also be used in forming alkyl 4-oxobutyrates and acetals thereof by reacting under anhydrous conditions said .beta.-halopropionaldehyde or its acetals with carbon monoxide and an alcohol of the formula ROH wherein R is lower alkyl in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst comprising palladium metal which is either unsupported or supported on an inert carrier.

Abstract: A process for converting the pendant keto groups of ketonic polymers to ester groups is provided. The process involves reacting the polymer with an organic peroxyacid oxodizing agent in an inert liquid medium at a temperature from -20.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. to convert substantially all or only a portion of the pendant carbonyl functionality to oxycarbonyl moieties. Homopolymers or copolymers of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated ketones, such as methyl vinyl ketone and ethyl vinyl ketone, are readily modified with the process of this invention.

Abstract: Novel poly(keto-esters) having carbonyl and oxycarbonyl units randomly combined with linking units derived from olefinic monomers to form an essentially straight-chain polymer backbone are provided. The poly(keto-esters) are produced by converting a portion of the carbonyl functionality of a polyketone to oxycarbonyl groups. The conversion is achieved by reacting the polyketone with an organic peroxyacid in an inert liquid medium at a temperature from -20.degree. C. to 150.degree. C.

Abstract: Crystalline platinum or palladium aluminosilicates are prepared by incorporating platinum or palladium onto the aluminosilicate and mixing with a methanol synthesis catalyst. Conversion of synthesis gas to low molecular weight hydrocarbons, particularly C.sub.2+3 hydrocarbons, with substantial yield and high selectivity employing these platinum or palladium aluminosilicate compositions as catalysts are also disclosed.