Abstract: Polylactide resin compositions contain certain phosphite esters. The presence of the phosphite ester increases the rate of hydrolysis of the polylactide resin under conditions of moisture (including atmospheric moisture) at mildly elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Expanded poly(lactide) (PLA) beads are made by pressurizing PLA beads with carbon dioxide at approximately room temperature, heating the beads under pressure to 90 to 160 C to saturate and partially crystallize the beads, and then depressurizing and cooling the beads. The PLA beads contain a blend of PLLA and PDLA in certain ratios. The beads are useful for making expanded bead foam.

Abstract: Polylactide resin compositions that exhibit rapid hydrolysis rates and leave small amounts of residuals include a poly(meso-lactide) and a second polylactide. The polylactide resin compositions are useful in applications in which rapid hydrolysis is wanted under mildly to moderately elevated temperatures, such as in certain oil & gas well treatment applications.

Abstract: Expanded poly(lactide) (PLA) beads are made by pressurizing PLA beads with carbon dioxide at approximately room temperature, heating the beads under pressure to 90 to 160 C to saturate and partially crystallize the beads, and then depressurizing and cooling the beads. The PLA beads contain a blend of PLLA and PDLA in certain ratios. The beads are useful for making expanded bead foam.

Abstract: Thermal insulation structures include a polymer foam layer adhered to a multi-layer sheet having a non-cellular layer of a heat-resistant thermoplastic and a second non-cellular layer of a polylactide resin. The polylactide resin is a surprisingly good barrier to the diffusion of atmospheric gases into the foam layer and of blowing agents out of the foam layer. Accordingly, the diffusion of atmospheric gases and blowing agents is retarded substantially. This greatly reduces the loss of thermal insulation capacity of the structure due to the replacement of the blowing agent with atmospheric gases. The multi-layer sheet exhibits excellent thermal stability, even when the polylactide in the polylactide layer is highly amorphous.

Abstract: Thermal insulation structures include a polymer foam layer adhered to a multi-layer sheet having a non-cellular layer of a heat-resistant thermoplastic and a second non-cellular layer of a polylactide resin. The polylactide resin is a surprisingly good barrier to the diffusion of atmospheric gases into the foam layer and of blowing agents out of the foam layer. Accordingly, the diffusion of atmospheric gases and blowing agents is retarded substantially. This greatly reduces the loss of thermal insulation capacity of the structure due to the replacement of the blowing agent with atmospheric gases. The multi- layer sheet exhibits excellent thermal stability, even when the polylactide in the polylactide layer is highly amorphous.

Abstract: Thermal insulation structures include a polymer foam layer adhered to a non-cellular sheet of a polylactide resin. The polylactide resin is a surprisingly good barrier to the diffusion of atmospheric gases into and blowing agents out of the foam layer. Accordingly, the diffusion of atmospheric gases and the blowing agents is retarded substantially. This greatly reduces the loss of thermal insulation capacity of the structure due to the replacement of the blowing agent with atmospheric gases.

Abstract: A supported silver catalyst and use thereof in a process for producing an alkylene oxide, such as ethylene oxide, by the direct oxidation of an alkylene with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, wherein the catalyst provides improved stability and improved resilience to reactor upsets and timely recovery to substantially pre-upset levels of catalyst activity and/or efficiency. In some embodiments, the catalyst also exhibits improved activity. A catalyst capable of producing ethylene oxide at a selectivity of at least 87 percent while achieving a work rate of at least 184 kg/h/m3 at a temperature of no greater than 235° C. when operated in a process where the inlet feed to a reactor containing the catalyst comprises ethylene, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, wherein the concentration of carbon dioxide in the inlet feed is greater than or equal to 2 mole percent.

Abstract: A supported silver catalyst and use thereof in a process for producing an alkylene oxide, such as ethylene oxide, by the direct oxidation of an alkylene with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, wherein the catalyst provides improved stability and improved resilience to reactor upsets and timely recovery to substantially pre-upset levels of catalyst activity and/or efficiency. In some embodiments, the catalyst also exhibits improved activity. A catalyst capable of producing ethylene oxide at a selectivity of at least 87 percent while achieving a work rate of at least 184 kg/h/m3 at a temperature of no greater than 235° C. when operated in a process where the inlet feed to a reactor containing the catalyst comprises ethylene, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, wherein the concentration of carbon dioxide in the inlet feed is greater than or equal to 2 mole percent.

Abstract: A supported silver catalyst and use thereof in a process for producing an alkylene oxide, such as ethylene oxide, by the direct oxidation of an alkylene with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, wherein the catalyst provides improved stability and improved resilience to reactor upsets and timely recovery to substantially pre-upset levels of catalyst activity and/or efficiency. In some embodiments, the catalyst also exhibits improved activity. A catalyst capable of producing ethylene oxide at a selectivity of at least 87 percent while achieving a work rate of at least 184 kg/h/m3 at a temperature of no greater than 235° C. when operated in a process where the inlet feed to a reactor containing the catalyst comprises ethylene, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, wherein the concentration of carbon dioxide in the inlet feed is greater than or equal to 2 mole percent.

Abstract: A supported silver catalyst and use thereof in a process for producing an alkylene oxide, such as ethylene oxide, by the direct oxidation of an alkylene with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, wherein the catalyst provides improved stability and improved resilience to reactor upsets and timely recovery to substantially pre-upset levels of catalyst activity and/or efficiency. In some embodiments, the catalyst also exhibits improved activity. A catalyst capable of producing ethylene oxide at a selectivity of at least 87 percent while achieving a work rate of at least 184 kg/h/m3 at a temperature of no greater than 235° C. when operated in a process where the inlet feed to a reactor containing the catalyst comprises ethylene, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, wherein the concentration of carbon dioxide in the inlet feed is greater than or equal to 2 mole percent.

Abstract: A supported silver catalyst and use thereof in a process for producing an alkylene oxide, such as ethylene oxide, by the direct oxidation of an alkylene with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, wherein the catalyst provides improved stability and improved resilience to reactor upsets and timely recovery to substantially pre-upset levels of catalyst activity and/or efficiency. In some embodiments, the catalyst also exhibits improved activity. A catalyst capable of producing ethylene oxide at a selectivity of at least 87 percent while achieving a work rate of at least 184 kg/h/m3 at a temperature of no greater than 235° C. when operated in a process where the inlet feed to a reactor containing the catalyst comprises ethylene, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, wherein the concentration of carbon dioxide in the inlet feed is greater than or equal to 2 mole percent.