Abstract: The present invention provides a solvent exchange column for continuously exchanging styrene monomer with the solvent used to produce polybutadiene and a method of use therefor. The solvent exchange column includes an exchange plate support structure coupled to and supporting spaced apart exchange plates, wherein each of the exchange plates has holes located therein to allow a passage of fluid therethrough. The solvent exchange column further includes a vapor ventilation system for allowing the volatized solvent to exit the solvent exchange column.

Abstract: The present invention discloses processes and apparatus for the efficient and rapid conversion of an elastomeric monomer to a polymerized elastomer, and conjointly, reaction of the resultant rubbery polymer into a monovinylaromatic polymerization reaction to form a rubber-modified polymer; and more specifically teaches a method of polymerizing butadiene and reacting it with styrene monomer to form a transparent rubber-modified impact-resistant polystyrene material exhibiting elastomer concentrations that range from as low as 6 weight percent or lower, to as high as about 50 percent.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for improving the environmental stress crack resistance and other desirable properties of impact-resistant, elastomer-modified monovinylaromatic compounds, said process utilizing a combination of polymerization initiators, including perketals and peroxycarbonates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making beads of expandable polystyrene by utilizing as an additive in the suspension polymerization process, a small amount of a low-molecular-weight polyethylene having a molecular weight of around 2000.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a copolymer. The method comprises placing a vinylbenzene, such as styrene, in a reactor, placing a cross-linking agent, such as divinylbenzene in the reactor, placing a chain transfer agent, such as mercaptan, in the reactor and forming a poly vinylbenzene in the presence of the cross-linking agent and the chain transfer agent. In this embodiment, the concentration of the cross-linking agent ranges from about 150 ppm to about 400 ppm and a concentration of the chain transfer agent ranges from about 100 to about 400 ppm.

Abstract: High impact polystyrene having a predominant core-shell morphology is made by polymerizing styrene in the presence of polybutadiene using toluene as a solvent. The thermoplastic polymer composition is characterized by a continuous phase of polystyrene containing dispersed graft copolymer particles having a core-shell structure with a polystyrene core occluded inside a polybutadiene shell. The styrene is desirably batch polymerized using styrene/toluene mixtures of about 70:30 by weight in the presence of from about 9 to about 15 weight percent polybutadiene while flashing off the toluene solvent.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for enhancing the production of polymerized monovinyl aromatic compounds, in which process a small polymerization reactor is inserted in the recycle stream to deactivate the polymerization inhibitors in the recycle stream and to further increase the conversion level of monomer to desirable polymer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for purifying polymerized monovinyl aromatic compounds such as polystyrene by reducing the residual monomer content of the finished polymer, said methods and apparatus including a combination of heat exchangers and devolatilizers used in conjunction with a monovinyl aromatic polymerization reactor system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for removing undesirable volatile components having high boiling points from a product stream during polymerization of monovinyl aromatic compounds such as styrene, which methods include the use of heat exchangers, devolatilizers, and filter beds.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for removing undesirable volatile components having high boiling points from a product stream during polymerization of monovinyl aromatic compounds such as styrene, which methods include the use of heat exchangers, devolatilizers, and filter beds.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are disclosed for improved additive systems for polymerization processes, which improved systems comprise a slurry additive system having a high shear mixer for mixing a carrier fluid and the solid additives and maintaining them in a suspension slurry prior to injecting them into a polymerization system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for removing undesirable volatile components having high boiling points from a product stream during polymerization of monovinyl aromatic compounds such as styrene, which methods include the use of partial condensers, devolatilizers, and filter beds.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of high impact polystyrene using a free radical initiator which decomposes to form only non-acid decomposition by-products.

Abstract: A continuous flow process for the production of high impact polystyrene, wherein specific types of polymerization inhibiting impurities are removed from a recycle stream prior to feeding or introducing the recycle stream into a styrene polymerization zone. Preferably, the process further comprises the step of monitoring the acidity of the recycle stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous flow process for producing polystyrene having discrete particles of rubber included therein. The process utilizes a pre-inversion reactor, in which a solution of styrene, polystyrene and rubber are mixed prior to being introduced into a second stirred tank reactor. The viscosity of the solutions in the pre-inversion reactor and in the second stirred tank reactor are closely controlled to produce desirable HIPS products.

Abstract: A process for the production of starch or cellulose copolymers with vinyl monomers by dissolving the starch or cellulose in copper ammonium solution, adding the vinyl monomer and catalyzing with light or heat. Methyl methacrylate can also be homopolymerized by this process.