Abstract: A humidification system (A) for humidifying a dry hydrocarbon stream includes a column (10) which defines an interior cavity (20). The cavity is partially filled with a bed (12) of a packing material (40) and a layer of water (20), leaving a headspace above the water. An inlet (52) adjacent a lower end of the cavity receives a dry hydrocarbon stream which is broken up by the packing material and dissolves water as it passes therethrough. Entrained water droplets fall out of the wet blend in a disengagement zone (70) above the water layer leaving the hydrocarbon stream humidified yet substantially free of liquid water in an upper region (72) of the column.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer defined by the formula where ? is a polymer chain, R10 is a divalent organic group, and ? is a hydroxyl group, an alkoxyl group, or an amine group, where the amine group can be represented by the formula —NR2, where at least one R is a monovalent organic group and where the second R is hydrogen or a monovalent organic group, and where the alkoxyl group can be represented by the formula —OR?, where R? is a monovalent organic group.

Abstract: A novel method of preparing carboxyl-terminated polymers. A monomer is mixed with an organolithium initiator in a hydrocarbon solvent so as to anionically polymerize linear living polymer lithium chains. A trialkyl aluminum compound is also mixed so as to form polymer lithium: aluminate complexes in equilibrium with the linear living polymer lithium chains. When a cyclic anhydride terminator is mixed, the cyclic anhydride terminator preferentially reacts with the C—Li center on a living polymer lithium chain rather than with the C—Al—Li center on a polymer lithium: aluminate complex.

Abstract: Provided is a method of converting an anionic living end to a protected free radical “living” end in a well-controlled manner, which enables copolymerization by plural mechanisms. The method is particularly useful for copolymerization of anionically polymerizable monomers and free radical polymerizable monomers, and therefore useful for production of PB-g-PS, HIPS, ABS, and MBS etc. Also provided is a reversibly coupled polymer, which, when decoupled, generates “living” free radical for further copolymer chain reaction.

Abstract: A process for removing residual polymer from polymerization equipment by combining a degelling agent, residual polymer, and solvent.

Abstract: Provided is a method of converting an anionic living end to a protected free radical “living” end in a well-controlled manner, which enables copolymerization by plural mechanisms. The method is particularly useful for copolymerization of anionically polymerizable monomers and free radical polymerizable monomers, and therefore useful for production of PB-g-PS, HIPS, ABS, and MBS etc. Also provided is a reversibly coupled polymer, which, when decoupled, generates “living” free radical for further copolymer chain reaction.

Abstract: A novel method of preparing carboxyl-terminated polymers. A monomer is mixed with an organolithium initiator in a hydrocarbon solvent so as to anionically polymerize linear living polymer lithium chains. A trialkyl aluminum compound is also mixed so as to form polymer lithium aluminate complexes in equilibrium with the linear living polymer lithium chains. When a cyclic anhydride terminator is mixed, the cyclic anhydride terminator preferentially reacts with the C—Li center on a living polymer lithium chain rather than with the C—Al—Li center on a polymer lithium: aluminate complex.

Abstract: A process for removing residual polymer from polymerization equipment by combining a degelling agent, residual polymer, and solvent.

Abstract: The present invention provides silica-filled, vulcanized elastomeric compounds comprising an elastomer mixed with at least a silica filler, a processing aid, and a curing agent, and processes for the preparation of the same. Generally, the present invention provides processing aids which effectively reduce or replace the amount (i.e., about 10 percent by weight based upon the silica filler) of the processing aid bis[3-triethyoxysilyl)propyl]tetrasulfide (“Si69”) used in the production of silica-filled rubber stocks. These new processing aids include alkyl alkoxysilanes, fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated sugars and the polyoxyethylene derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof, with or without various non-reinforcing fillers such as mineral fillers. The processing aids do not hinder the physical properties of the compounds and have been found to be excellent substitutes for Si69.

Abstract: A humidification system (A) for humidifying a dry hydrocarbon stream includes a column (10) which defines an interior cavity (20). The cavity is partially filled with a bed (12) of a packing material (40) and a layer of water (20), leaving a headspace above the water. An inlet (52) adjacent a lower end of the cavity receives a dry hydrocarbon stream which is broken up by the packing material and dissolves water as it passes therethrough. Entrained water droplets fall out of the wet blend in a disengagement zone (70) above the water layer leaving the hydrocarbon stream humidified yet substantially free of liquid water in an upper region (72) of the column.

Abstract: A humidification system (A) for humidifying a dry hydrocarbon stream includes a column (10) which defines an interior cavity (20). The cavity is partially filled with a bed (12) of a packing material (40) and a layer of water (20), leaving a headspace above the water. An inlet (52) adjacent a lower end of the cavity receives a dry hydrocarbon stream which is broken up by the packing material and dissolves water as it passes therethrough. Entrained water droplets fall out of the wet blend in a disengagement zone (70) above the water layer leaving the hydrocarbon stream humidified yet substantially free of liquid water in an upper region (72) of the column.

Abstract: A silica-filled, vulcanized elastomeric compound comprises 100 parts by weight of an elastomer; from about 5 to about 100 parts by weight of a reinforcing filler per 100 parts of elastomer, wherein the reinforcing fillers are selected from the group consisting of carbon black and silica filler; from 0 to about 20 percent by weight of a silane, based upon the weight of the silica filler; a cure agent; from about 0 to about 20 parts by weight of a processing aid selected from the group consisting of fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated C5 and C6 sugars; from about 0 to about 20 parts by weight of a processing aid selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene derivatives of fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated C5 and C6 sugars; from about 0 to about 40 parts by weight of an additional filler other than silica or carbon black, with the provisos that at least one of the processing aids or additional fillers are present; that if the processing aid is sorbitan monooleate,

Abstract: The present invention provides silica-filled, vulcanized elastomeric compounds comprising an elastomer mixed with at least a silica filler, a processing aid, and a curing agent, and processes for the preparation of the same. Generally, the present invention provides processing aids which effectively reduce or replace the amount (i.e., about 10 percent by weight based upon the silica filler) of the processing aid bis[3-triethyoxysilyl)propyl]tetrasulfide (“Si69”) used in the production of silica-filled rubber stocks. These new processing aids include alkyl alkoxysilanes, fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated sugars and the polyoxyethylene derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof, with or without various non-reinforcing fillers such as mineral fillers. The processing aids do not hinder the physical properties of the compounds and have been found to be excellent substitutes for Si69.

Abstract: A humidification system (A) for humidifying a dry hydrocarbon stream includes a column (10) which defines an interior cavity (20). The cavity is partially filled with a bed (12) of a packing material (40) and a layer of water (20), leaving a headspace above the water. An inlet (52) adjacent a lower end of the cavity receives a dry hydrocarbon stream which is broken up by the packing material and dissolves water as it passes therethrough. Entrained water droplets fall out of the wet blend in a disengagement zone (70) above the water layer leaving the hydrocarbon stream humidified yet substantially free of liquid water in an upper region (72) of the column.

Abstract: A silica-filled, vulcanized elastomeric compound comprises 100 parts by weight of an elastomer; from about 5 to about 100 parts by weight of a reinforcing filler per 100 parts of elastomer, wherein the reinforcing fillers are selected from the group consisting of carbon black and silica filler; from 0 to about 20 percent by weight of a silane, based upon the weight of the silica filler; a cure agent; from about 0 to about 20 parts by weight of a processing aid selected from the group consisting of fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated C5 and C6 sugars; from about 0 to about 20 parts by weight of a processing aid selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene derivatives of fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated C5 and C6 sugars; from about 0 to about 40 parts by weight of an additional filler other than silica or carbon black, with the provisos that at least one of the processing aids or additional fillers are present; that if the processing aid is sorbitan monooleate,

Abstract: The reduction of hysteresis in a silica-filled, vulcanized elastomeric compound is produced by mixing diene monomer and optionally monovinyl aromatic monomer with an initiator and a coordinator; effecting polymerization conditions; terminating polymerization with a terminator containing an organo-tin group to form a tin-coupled diene elastomer; compounding the tin-coupled diene elastomer with an amorphous silica filler and a vulcanization agent; and, effecting vulcanization. A pneumatic tire tread stock incorporating the vulcanized elastomer compound exhibits decreased rolling resistance in the tire.

Abstract: A processable rubber stock is produced by the preparation of a silica-filled, vulcanized elastomeric compound comprising mixing an elastomer with an amorphous silica filler, a processing aid comprising fatty acid ester of a polyol, optionally an additional mineral filler, and a cure agent. The elastomer is preferably a diene monomer homopolymer or a copolymer of at least one diene and at least one monovinyl aromatic monomer. By effecting vulcanization, a vulcanized elastomeric compound is produced containing good physical properties for use as tread stock for a pneumatic tire.

Abstract: The present invention provides silica-filled, vulcanized elastomeric compounds comprising an elastomer mixed with at least a silica filler, a processing aid, and a curing agent, and processes for the preparation of the same. Generally, the present invention provides processing aids which effectively reduce or replace the amount (i.e., about 10 percent by weight based upon the silica filler) of the processing aid bis[3-triethyoxysilyl)propyl]tetrasulfide (“Si69”) used in the production of silica-filled rubber stocks. These new processing aids include alkyl alkoxysilanes, fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated sugars and the polyoxyethylene derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof, with or without various non-reinforcing fillers such as mineral fillers. The processing aids do not hinder the physical properties of the compounds and have been found to be excellent substitutes for Si69.

Abstract: The present invention provides silica-filled, vulcanized elastomeric compounds comprising an elastomer mixed with at least a silica filler, a processing aid, and a curing agent, and processes for the preparation of the same. Generally, the present invention provides processing aids which effectively reduce or replace the amount (i.e., about 10 percent by weight based upon the silica filler) of the processing aid bis[3-triethyoxysilyl)propyl]tetrasulfide (“Si69”) used in the production of silica-filled rubber stocks. These new processing aids include alkyl alkoxysilanes, fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated sugars and the polyoxyethylene derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof, with or without various non-reinforcing fillers such as mineral fillers. The processing aids do not hinder the physical properties of the compounds and have been found to be excellent substitutes for Si69.

Abstract: A silica-filled, vulcanized elastomeric compound comprises 100 parts by weight of an elastomer; from about 5 to about 100 parts by weight of a reinforcing filler per 100 parts of elastomer, wherein the reinforcing fillers are selected from the group consisting of carbon black and silica filler; from 0 to about 20 percent by weight of a silane, based upon the weight of the silica filler; a cure agent; from about 0 to about 20 parts by weight of a processing aid selected from the group consisting of fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated C5 and C6 sugars; from about 0 to about 20 parts by weight of a processing aid selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene derivatives of fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated C5 and C6 sugars; from about 0 to about 40 parts by weight of an additional filler other than silica or carbon black, with the provisos that at least one of the processing aids or additional fillers are present; that if the processing aid is sorbitan monooleate,