Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for the preparation of an olefin oxide wherein an olefin is reacted with a hydroperoxidein the presence of a catalyst, and wherein the reaction which is carried out in at least three reactors operated in parallel is controlled by specifically adjusting the catalyst loads in the reactors.

Abstract: A catalyst for the manufacture of alkylene oxide, for example ethylene oxide, by the vapor-phase epoxidation of alkene containing impregnated silver and at least one efficiency-enhancing promoter on an inert, refractory solid support, said support incorporating a sufficient amount of zirconium component (present and remaining substantially as zirconium silicate) as to enhance at least one of catalyst activity, efficiency and stability as compared to a similar catalyst which does not contain the zirconium component.

Abstract: Branched polyglycols and branched polyether functional organopolysiloxanes are disclosed as is a process for making branched polyether functional organopolysiloxanes by reacting an organohydrogensiloxane and a branched polyglycol having an unsaturated group via a hydrosilylation reaction, as well as coating compositions containing branched polyether functional organopolysiloxanes and a binder are disclosed. Coatings resulting from these compositions were more hydrophilic and had improved dirt release properties as compared to coatings containing similar, but un-branched, polyether functional organopolysiloxanes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the epoxidation of propene which comprises reacting propene with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of methanol as solvent and a titanium zeolite catalyst, the process further comprising separating propylene oxide from the reaction mixture to obtain a mixture comprising methanol, water, at least one carboxylic acid and at least one carbonyl compound, wherein the at least one carboxylic acid is at least partially neutralized, said process optionally comprising a hydrogenation stage.

Abstract: Compounds useful for associating with nanoparticle or microparticle emulsions to obtain magnetic resonance images permit control of the relaxivity of the signal and readily associate with the particulate components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing low color glycols that comprises altering at least one condition of a reaction component and/or process stream within the process to be unfavorable for the formation of at least one color-producing contaminant intermediate. As such, such intermediates may be reduced in concentration, or even eliminated entirely, from glycols produced by the process. Since they are not present, or are present in reduced number, the intermediates cannot form color-producing contaminants in the glycols, and low color glycols are provided to the customer. Any condition that can discourage the formation of color forming contaminant intermediates can be adjusted, although conditions that can be adjusted by materials or equipment already utilized in the process, e.g.

Abstract: A method of separating propylene oxide from a mixture (M) comprising propylene oxide and methanol, said method comprising: (i) introducing said mixture (M) into an extractive distillation column; (ii) additionally introducing an extracting solvent into said extractive distillation column; (iii) distilling propylene oxide overhead from said extractive distillation column as top stream; (iv) withdrawing a bottoms stream from said extractive distillation column; (v) compressing the top stream obtained overhead in (iii) by means of at least one compressor to give a compressed vapor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the epoxidation of an olefin comprising (a) reacting the olefin with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of methanol as solvent in at least two reaction stages to obtain a mixture (M-a) comprising olefin oxide, unreacted olefin, methanol and water, wherein between at least two reaction stages, olefin oxide is separated by distillation; (b) separating unreacted olefin from the mixture (M-a) by distillation to obtain a mixture (M-bi) comprising at least 80 wt.-% of olefin and a mixture (M-bii) comprising methanol, water and at least 7 wt.-% of olefin oxide; (c) separating olefin oxide from the mixture (M-bii) in at least one distillation stage to obtain a mixture (M-ci) comprising at least 99 wt.-% of olefin oxide and a mixture (M-cii) comprising water and at least 55 wt.-% of methanol; (d) separating methanol from the mixture (M-cii) in at least one distillation stage to obtain a mixture (M-di) comprising at least 85 wt.-% of methanol and up to 10 wt.

Abstract: A process for producing epoxide, the process including contacting an organic phase including at least one halohydrin(s) with at least one aqueous phase including a base in a plug-flow mixer/reactor system to disperse the organic phase in the aqueous phase via a mixing device imparting a power-to-mass ratio of at least 0.2 W/kg to convert at least a portion of the at least one halohydrin to an epoxide.

Abstract: A catalyst for the manufacture of alkylene oxide, for example ethylene oxide, by the vapor-phase epoxidation of alkene containing impregnated silver and at least one efficiency-enhancing promoter on an inert, refractory solid support, said support incorporating a sufficient amount of zirconium component (present and remaining substantially as zirconium silicate) as to enhance at least one of catalyst activity, efficiency and stability as compared to a similar catalyst which does not contain the zirconium component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for its practice are provided of differentiating at least one component of a heterogeneous sample from other component(s) using harmonic resonance imaging and of obtaining information regarding the sample from the differentiation. In a preferred embodiment, an image is created of a property of a harmonic or a combination of a harmonics producing a response having a contrast factor between the sample's constituent components. The desired harmonic(s) can be identified either in a preliminary data acquisition procedure on the sample or, if the sample's constituent components are known in advance, predetermined. The desired harnonic(s) may be identified directly by the user or automatically through, e.g., pattern recognition. A compositional map may then be generated and displayed and/or additional information about the sample may be obtained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling product discharge from a fluidized bed reactor and for minimizing the loss of the unreacted monomer in the fluidizing gas upon removing the solid polymer product from the reactor. The method and apparatus utilize at least one detector in the product tank or its vent line and a control system in communication with the detector and the product tank fill valve, along with certain algorithms, to adjust by an iterative process, the product discharge time, thereby maximizing resin fill in the product tank and minimizing the lost reactor gas volume.

Abstract: The invention is a formulation that contains: (1) a low-viscosity epoxy resin; (2) a phenolic chain extender whose concentration is less that 0.6 equivalents phenolic hydroxyl group per equivalent of the low-viscosity epoxy resin; (3) a catalyst that promotes self-curing reactions between epoxy groups; (4) an inhibitor that inhibits the activity of the catalyst under “B-staging” conditions; (5) less than 25 weight percent of a volatile organic solvent; and (6) optionally, a multifunctional cross-linking agent. The formulation contains low levels of volatile organic solvent, and can be used to make electrical laminates. It builds molecular weight controllably in B-staging, so that dripping is avoided but the prepreg can be easily laminated.

Abstract: Improved adhesives are provided through the use of styrenic radial block copolymers, containing at least 40 wt % diblock copolymers, the adhesives have improved adhesive properties and a reduced elastic behavior under die-cutting conditions. Compared to conventional linear block copolymers of similar molecular weight, radial copolymers offer higher holding power and lower melt viscosity for the adhesive. They therefore contribute to an improved balance between processability and end-use properties.

Abstract: A method of separating propylene oxide from a mixture (M) comprising propylene oxide and methanol, said method comprising: (i) introducing said mixture (M) into an extractive distillation column; (ii) additionally introducing an extracting solvent into said extractive distillation column; (iii) distilling propylene oxide overhead from said extractive distillation column as top stream; (iv) withdrawing a bottoms stream from said extractive distillation column; (v) compressing the top stream obtained overhead in (iii) by means of at least one compressor to give a compressed vapor.

Abstract: A curable epoxy resin composition including (a) a thermosettable epoxy resin; and (b) an amphiphilic block copolymer containing at least one epoxy resin miscible block segment and at least one epoxy resin immiscible block segment; wherein the immiscible block segment comprises at least one polyether structure provided that the polyether structure of said immiscible block segment contains at least one or more alkylene oxide monomer units having at least four carbon atoms, such that when the epoxy resin composition is cured, the toughness of the resulting cured epoxy resin composition is increased. The amphiphilic block copolymer is preferably an all polyether block copolymer such as a PEO-PBO diblock copolymer or a PEO-PBO-PEO triblock copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the epoxidation of propene which comprises reacting propene with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of methanol as solvent and a titanium zeolite catalyst, the process further comprising separating propylene oxide from the reaction mixture to obtain a mixture comprising methanol, water, at least one carboxylic acid and at least one carbonyl compound, wherein the at least one carboxylic acid is at least partially neutralized, said process optionally comprising a hydrogenation stage.

Abstract: A reactive hot melt composition, having a softening point of at least 50° C., and being curable on heating to a temperature of 150° C. The composition comprises a blend of (a) a macrocyclic oligomer having a softening point of at least 50° C., containing at least one ring having eight or more atoms, and being able to undergo decyclization at a temperature of 150° C. or more, to produce a polymerizable species, wherein each cyclic oligomer molecule provides two or more structural repeat units of the same or different formula for the resulting polymer, and (b) a thermoplastic resin, its use as an adhesive and methods of its application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one propylene glycol from a mixture (M) comprising water and said propylene glycol, said process comprising (I) evaporating the mixture in at least two evaporation and/or distillation stages at decreasing operating pressures of the evaporators and/or distillation columns obtaining mixture (M?) and mixture (M?); (II) separating the mixture (M?) obtained in (I) in at least one further distillation step, obtaining a mixture (M-I) comprising at least 70 wt.-% of water and a mixture (M-II) comprising less than 30 wt.-% of water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing propylene oxide comprising (I) reacting propene with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalyst to give a mixture (GI) comprising propylene oxide, unreacted propene, and oxygen; (II) separating propylene oxide from mixture (GI) to give a mixture (GII) comprising propene and oxygen; (III) reducing the oxygen comprised in mixture (GII) at least partially by reaction with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst comprising Sn and at least one noble metal.