Abstract: Polymerization of fluoroolefin monomers proceeds in a supercritical carbon dioxide solvent at high monomer loading levels to provide a high molecular weight polymer with low polydispersity and/or a unimodal molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: The current process for producing powder coatings can be replaced with a process utilizing supercritical fluids including polymer polymerization, compatibilized blending of powder coating ingredients, and particle size control and classification of the powder coating. Traditionally, powder coating resins are polymerized in solvent based system. Next, the resin is blended with additives in a twin screw extruder at high temperatures. The material is then ground and separated by particle size to form the finished powder coating. This invention replaces the previous process by performing all operations in a supercritical fluid, preferably, carbon dioxide. Polymerization is conducted at any pressure above critical pressure and temperature above critical temperature up to 190°C. Solubility of the polymer in the supercritical fluid allows for control and narrow distribution of the molecular weight and a polydispersity of about 2 or less.

Abstract: A system and method for disinfecting and detoxifying an enclosed space includes a generator for producing ClO2 in aqueous solution via reactions of a hydroxy carboxylic acid, a companion acid that substantially does not react with an alkali metal salt of a chlorite ion, and an alkali metal salt of a chlorite ion. Substantially pure gaseous ClO2 is stripped through a packed column, the effluent air flow from the stripper containing pure ClO2. The gaseous ClO2 product is added to the enclosed space at a predetermined concentration for a predetermined period of time sufficient to substantially destroy airborne microbial contamination therein, after which the enclosed space is evacuated. A second aspect of the present invention is a system and method for disinfecting surfaces, including an apparatus for generating aqueous ClO2. The aqueous ClO2 is diluted to a predetermined concentration and applied to a surface desired to be disinfected.

Abstract: The current process for producing powder coatings can be replaced with a process utilizing supercritical fluids including polymer polymerization, compatibilized blending of powder coating ingredients, and particle size control and classification of the powder coating. Traditionally, powder coating resins are polymerized in solvent based system. Next, the resin is blended with additives in a twin screw extruder at high temperatures. The material is then ground and separated by particle size to form the finished powder coating. This invention replaces the previous process by performing all operations in a supercritical fluid, preferably, carbon dioxide. Polymerization is conducted at any pressure above critical pressure and temperature above critical temperature up to 190° C. Solubility of the polymer in the supercritical fluid allows for control and narrow distribution of the molecular weight and a polydispersity of about 2 or less.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution is disclosed which includes reacting in a reaction vessel an acid reaction solution containing a hydroxy carboxylic acid and a companion acid with an alkali metal salt of a chlorite ion. In accordance with the process, the hydroxy carboxylic acid serves to temporarily transfer chlorine from and does not form a salt with the alkali metal salt of a chlorite ion. The aqueous chlorine dioxide solution produced is substantially free of chlorous acid and preferably is free of other by-products such as sodium chloride and free chlorine. The method further includes maintaining the reaction vessel at a pH of less than 5 and/or withdrawing at least a portion of the chlorine dioxide from the aqueous chlorine dioxide solution. The method enables rapid, efficient, compact and safe generation of chlorine dioxide. A method of disinfecting water, and apparatus for making chlorine dioxide and for disinfecting water also are provided.