Abstract: An extruder is disclosed, and more particularly, a twin screw extruder for mixing, compounding, kneading and/or extruding of materials. The twin screw extruder includes a barrel assembly having a housing. The twin screw extruder further includes a first screw provided within the housing and comprising threads. The twin screw extruder further includes a second screw provided within the housing and comprising a threaded portion and a shaft portion devoid of threads. A drive system which drives the first screw and the second screw.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of thermal insulation sheets fashioned from certain unseparated mixtures of post-consumer plastic articles is disclosed. The mixtures of such articles contain polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS) and optionally also articles made of high density polyethylene (HDPE). An unseparated mixture of such articles is provided. This mixture is crushed and shredded to form plastic flakes, and these plastic flakes are then homogenized. Homogenization of the flakes can be carried out either by melt-blending them or by further comminution to produce very fine particles of the mixed plastics. The resulting homogenized mixture of plastic types is then compression molded into sheets.

Abstract: A batch mixer is equipped with a plunger for pushing material from the batch mixer. The batch mixer includes a mixer tank structured to accommodate material. The mixer further includes a mixer head comprising at least one blade structured to blend the material within the mixer tank. The mixer further includes a plunger mechanism structured to push the blended material directly from the mixer tank.

Abstract: A reinforced polymer composite, and more particularly, a wool reinforced polymer composite is provided. The composition includes wool fibers combined with a polymer to form a reinforced polymeric matrix having at least one of improved Izod Impact Strength (ASTM D-256) or improved Tensile Strength (ASTM D-1708) as compared to the polymer without the fibers.

Abstract: Polymer composites are provided, and more particularly, polymer composites of ground date pits disposed in a polymer matrix. The composites can be formed by a process of preparing reinforced polymer composites having a fibril melt fracture surface, including blending a mixture of date pit particulate with a thermoplastic polymer; melting the mixture; and forcing the melt through a die to produce the polymer composite having a fibril containing surface.

Abstract: A method and adsorbent composition for removing heavy metals from contaminated water, comprising passing a stream of water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals through an adsorbent comprising granules of a mixture of from about 1 wt % to about 15 wt % clay and a thermoplastic polymer matrix; and collecting water having a reduced concentration of said heavy metal(s) downstream of said adsorbent.

Abstract: A brick includes a thermoplastic material, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), and a cement-containing material. The brick may be made by mixing thermoplastic material and dry, uncured cement-containing material. This mixture is placed in a mold. The mold is heated while the mixture is compressed to melt or soften the thermoplastic material and to bind the particulate material in the mold into the shape of a brick. After the hardened brick is removed from the mold, the surface of the brick may be sprayed with water to cure cement-containing material on the surface of the brick.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of thermal insulation sheets fashioned from certain unseparated mixtures of post-consumer plastic articles and the article, itself, is disclosed. The mixtures of such articles contain polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS) and optionally also articles made of high density polyethylene (HDPE). An unseparated mixture of such articles is provided. This mixture is crushed and shredded to form plastic flakes, and these plastic flakes are then homogenized. Homogenization of the flakes can be carried out either by melt-blending them or by further comminution to produce very fine particles of the mixed plastics. The resulting homogenized mixture of plastic types is then compression molded into sheets ranging in thickness from about 3 to 10 mm.

Abstract: A method comprises forming a reaction mixture comprising a terephthalate polyester, a glycol comprising 2 to 5 carbons, and an amidine organocatalyst; and heating the reaction mixture at a temperature of about 120° C. or more to depolymerize the terephthalate polyester, thereby forming a terephthalate reaction product comprising a monomeric dihydroxy terephthalate diester; wherein the terephthalate reaction product contains terephthalate oligomers in an amount less than the amount of terephthalate oligomers that would result from i) substituting the amidine organocatalyst with an equimolar amount of a guanidine catalyst and ii) depolymerizing the terephthalate polyester under otherwise identical reaction conditions.

Abstract: A method and adsorbent composition for removing heavy metals from contaminated water, comprising passing a stream of water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals through an adsorbent comprising granules of a mixture of from about 1 wt % to about 15 wt % clay and a thermoplastic polymer matrix; and collecting water having a reduced concentration of said heavy metal(s) downstream of said adsorbent.

Abstract: A brick comprises a thermoplastic material, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), and a cement-containing material. The brick may be made by mixing thermoplastic material and dry, uncured cement-containing material. This mixture is placed in a mold. The mold is heated while the mixture is compressed to melt or soften the thermoplastic material and to bind the particulate material in the mold into the shape of a brick. After the hardened brick is removed from the mold, the surface of the brick may be sprayed with water to cure cement-containing material on the surface of the brick.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed a process for the preparation of thermal insulation sheets fashioned from certain unseparated mixtures of post-consumer plastic articles. The mixtures of such articles used are those which contain articles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS) and optionally also articles made of high density polyethylene (HDPE). An unseparated mixture of such articles is provided in Step A of the process. This mixture is then crushed and shredded in Step B to form plastic flakes, and these plastic flakes are then homogenized In Step C to form a uniform blend of the several plastic types. Homogenization of the flakes can be carried out either by melt-blending them or by further comminution to produce very fine particles of the mixed plastics. The resulting homogenized mixture of plastic types is then compression molded in Step D into sheets ranging in thickness from about 3 to 10 mm.

Abstract: A method and adsorbent composition for removing heavy metals from contaminated water, comprising passing a stream of water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals through an adsorbent comprising granules of a mixture of from about 1 wt % to about 15 wt % clay and a thermoplastic polymer matrix; and collecting water having a reduced concentration of said heavy metal(s) downstream of said adsorbent.